Few fashion items can withstand the winds of change. It’s usually just the staples—straight-leg jeans, an oversized T-shirt, or a simple trench coat—that weather the constant shift in the trend cycle. While no one can deny the importance of having basic apparel in their arsenal, there’s one accessory that shouldn’t be an afterthought: a classic purse style.
Like any other garment, handbags can be categorized as timeless or trend-forward—the latter of which is often prescribed to them in broader pop culture. One of the primary factors driving many people not to define purses as a “classic” staple is the collective shift in consumer habits. For context, the luxury handbag sector has grown by over $33.49 billion in the last few years, which has been primarily driven by the mounting pressure to purchase a popular designer bag or the season’s biggest trends. While there is nothing inherently wrong with wanting to get your hands on a hot new handbag, having to shell out thousands of dollars each season on something potentially short-lived isn’t exactly the smartest move in this economy. Investing in a few classic purse styles that can last is more imperative than ever.
So, what type of handbags are worth your hard-earned dollars?
“One of the biggest misconceptions about buying a handbag is that the trending items—the bag of the moment—will have lasting investment benefits. But there’s a rapid burnout around handbag trends; these styles won’t go the distance,” says Rachel Glicksberg, the New Initiatives Lead at The RealReal, the popular secondhand luxury marketplace. “A good investment is what you love and will wear for years to come.”
Still, Glicksberg explains that it’s tricky, in general, to try to label any item as timeless, much less our accessories. “So much goes into what makes a purse style a ‘cult classic,’ with the ingredients including the design concept, creative director, and the cultural zeitgeist.” For those in the fashion world, our definition of what’s a ‘classic handbag’ is often associated with specific It bags that have stood the test of time—models like Louis Vuitton’s Speedy, Dior’s Saddle, Balenciaga’s Le City Bag, or Fendi’s Baguette, for example. But you don’t necessarily need to procure a pricey handbag from luxury brands to have a piece that can withstand the trend cycle. There are some simple considerations you can make throughout the shopping process to ensure you’re making a safe investment: consider the shape, size, styling versatility, sticker price, and sartorial preferences. Ultimately, it’s important to remember that what is characterized as “classic purse styles” in broader pop culture could be different than the handbags that appeal to you and that’s totally okay.
No matter your lifestyle, bottom line, or personal style, any one of these handbags will surely reach “staple” status in your wardrobe. Ahead, we’re breaking down the eight classic purse styles worth adding to your closet.
East-West Bag
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The east-west shape is the best starting point when it comes to building a versatile bag collection. “Call it the Carrie Bradshaw effect, but the elongated rectangular silhouette with a shoulder strap has remained a best-seller in the luxury reselling market,” Glicksberg says. But it’s not just vintage iterations of this purse shape that are worth purchasing, as recent runway collections have given the classic shape a contemporary spin, including Ferragamo, Alaïa, and Fendi. Whether you buy this bag shape from your favorite vintage site or right off the runway, rest assured that you won’t want to sunset this sleek horizontal shape out of your closet anytime soon.
Structured Bag
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“Certain designer handbags will always be a good investment for your wallet,” Glicksberg says, adding that the Hermès Birkin Bag is one of them. “Unsurprisingly, they are the ultimate heirlooms, as their quality is unmatched. The rigid structure of the handbag also allows it to be functional for everyday life, but formal enough to be worn for every occasion.” Of course, if you can’t wrap your head around buying a Hermès bag now (after all, they come at a hefty price tag), there are plenty of other structured handbags that you can purchase in its place. “Personally, I’m gravitating towards vintage Prada styles, but really, any purse with a prominent top handle, distinct hardware, and a sturdy shape should do the trick,” Glicksberg says.
The 9-to-5 Tote Bag
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It’s essential to have a handbag style that simply makes your commute better. “An oversized shoulder tote bag is the workhorse of your wardrobe that will get you through your 9-5 work-week,” Glicksberg says. The key to determining what type of tote can do the heavy lifting in your everyday life, according to Glicksberg, is to “look for an option made from a durable leather, ideally in a classic color, with an interior that’s roomy enough to house all your essentials.” While you can find classic carryalls on the vintage market, if you’re set on buying this specific style brand-new, try buying from brands with a high resale value. “We’ve seen increased search volume around Coach’s Empire Carryall Tote Bag and The Row’s Margaux Bag, which means both are on track to become solid long-term investments no matter what condition you shop them in,” Glicksberg explains.
Evening Clutch
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When curating an accessories capsule, you must have an option for off-the-clock occasions, too—enter the evening clutch. “For your 5-9, a luxe small clutch will get you through all your night events,” Glicksberg says. If you want to ensure your evening clutch is even more functional, there are three particular features you should prioritize when shopping: style, shade, and size. It’s best to opt for a clutch bag that leans more classic style-wise in a neutral colorway to ensure you can wear it for different occasions and seasons—think: Bottega Veneta’s Andiamo Clutch or Savette’s Symmetry Pochette. But the most imperative thing, Glicksberg adds, is the clutch’s size: “You want it to be spacious enough to store your card case, keys, and lipstick.”
Slouchy Hobo Bag
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Every closet needs at least one alternative to clutches that can be styled across seasons, settings, and even sartorial preferences—slouchy hobos make for a stylish substitute. “I’m partial to slouchy hobos as my bag of choice when I’m not on the clock,” Glicksberg says. She’s not alone in those sentiments, as this particular purse style is perennially relevant in the eyes of fashion people because it’s continuously reinvented every season. From Chloé and Khaite to Burberry, spring/summer 2025 collections gave the classic silhouette a contemporary update using supple suede materials, prominent hardware, and exaggerated sizes. It was further proof that while the shape of this bag style may lean casual, its potential place in your closet shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Bowling Bag
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If any classic purse style can strike the perfect balance between being timeless and trend-forward, it’s the bowler bag. As the moniker suggests, the structured handbag with its signature curved top and flat bottom was invented to carry bowling equipment—until the early aughts. The bowler shape was adapted into mainstream fashion with the debut of Dior’s Vibe Bag (released in 1997) and Prada’s Bowler Bag (released in 2000), both of which remain best-sellers on The RealReal. “There’s a strong demand for beloved vintage bags that conjure strong feelings of nostalgia, so it makes sense that we’d see bowler bags come back in style,” Glicksberg explains. No matter if you choose to shop this shape secondhand or from the new collections of brands like Acne Studios or Miu Miu, it’s a winning investment every single time.
Compact Crossbody
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“I think there are a few quintessential styles that every woman needs in her wardrobe; compact crossbody bags happen to be one of them,” Glicksberg said. Ubiquitous as it comes, the origin of this specific handbag shape can be traced back in history over centuries. Its continuous presence in the cultural zeitgeist proves its staple status, but if you need further evidence, it can be found in the runway shows of Chanel, Dior, and Gucci. With so many updates to the classic handbag in spring collections—including variations on the shapes’ silhouette, size, shade, and even textiles—there are so many ways to incorporate this style into your life in a way that speaks to you. For Glicksberg, that happens to be a classic flap crossbody bag; “it’s the most functional (and fashionable) item you can pack for a trip.”
Bucket Bag
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Though a “classic” handbag should be a year-round piece, there’s one shape that Glicksberg associates heavily with springtime: the bucket bag. “When the weather finally hits 70 degrees, my basket bag is out for the season,” she says. It’s understandable, considering the long succession of fashion houses that have released variations of the relaxed silhouette in woven raffia. From Loewe to Saint Laurent to Isabel Marant, there’s no shortage of noteworthy designer straw bags to shop. But make no mistake—you can wear this classic shape long past the summertime. The secret to transitioning this staple into another season lies in opting for iterations with details that don’t feel too summer-forward, whether it’s mixed-textiles, prominent hardware, or adjustable straps for styling versatility.
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