Baguette: A small handbag that is long and narrow like the French loaf of bread by the same name.
Billfold (wallet): A folding pocketbook with compartments for money, cards and personal items.
Bottom feet: Metal or plastic knobs on the bottom of a stiff-sided handbag. These protect the bag when it is set down.
Box bag: A small or medium-sized handbag with hard sides and a box shape.
Bracelet handle:
A handle that forms a complete circle.
Bucket bag: A soft-sided, bucket-shaped handbag with a round bottom; usually taller than wide. Change (coin) purse: A small purse or wallet section for loose coins.
Clutch: A small handbag that is carried in the hand with no straps or handles; it also may be tucked under the arm. Clutch handbags became popular during World War II. With rations placed on almost everything, a smaller clutch required much less material to manufacture and women didn't have as much to carry. These handbags didn't feature straps and needed to be "clutched" in one's hands, but clutches now can feature shoulder, wrist and/or removable straps.
Coin (change) purse: A small purse or wallet section for loose coins.
Compartment: A large section inside a handbag.
Demi bag: A small handbag with a short top handle to be carried in the hand or on the shoulder.
Drawstring: A cord, strip of leather or fabric, or string that can be pulled to gather the fabric of a handbag to close it.
East-west: A handbag that is wider than it is tall.
Etui: Small, ornamental bag for personal items.
Evening bag: A handbag to use with evening wear; usually only large enough for a few personal items, such as money and lipstick. Flap bag: A handbag with a fold-over flap that is its distinguishing feature.
Framed bag: A bag with a solid frame that defines its shape.
Gusset: The triangular end piece of a handbag that gives it its depth and roominess.
Half moon bag: A bag shaped like a half moon, with
or without a handle.
Handle Drop: The distance between the top of the handbag and the top of the handle(s). This is the open space for your shoulder, arm, or hand to hold the bag.
Hobo bag: A slouchy, cloth shoulder bag that hangs down
in the middle.
Messenger bag: A large bag with a long strap to wear across the shoulders. The front features a large fold-over flap.
North-south: A handbag that is taller than it is wide.
Organizer: A pocketbook with compartments to
carry personal items.
Pocket: A small section inside a handbag.
Pouchette: A small, oval handbag.
Purse: A general term for a small bag to carry money and personal items.
Satchel: A large handbag with a top closure, top carrying handle and notable triangular side profile.
Sling bag: A cloth bag with a shoulder strap that attaches on one end to the top of the bag and on the other end to the bottom of the bag.
Shopper (tote) bag: A large bag with two handles and an
open top.
Shoulder bag: A general term for a bag that can be strapped over the shoulder.
Shoulder guard: A piece of fabric or padding on a shoulder strap that distributes the weight of a bag.
Shoulder strap: A long strap on a bag that allows it to be carried on the shoulder.
Slouch bag: A general term for a cloth bag without a defined or stiff shape. Top-handle bag: A bag with a small handle at the top for carrying in the hand.
Tote (shopper) bag: A large bag with two handles and an
open top.
Valise: A handbag with a top closure that has two top carrying handles and features a triangular or oval profile.
Wallet (billfold): A folding pocketbook with compartments for money, cards and personal items.
Wrist strap: A thin loop of material attached to a small bag or wallet so that it may be carried on the wrist.
Zipper pull: A zipper with a tab for easy opening and closing; sometimes has a signature element of the handbag designer.
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