How to Choose the Right Handbag: Styles, Materials and Italian Brands

There's a question that always comes up in the shop, usually with a faintly resigned smile: "how many bags do I actually need?" The honest answer is: not many, if they're the right ones. The trouble is that bags all have names that sound alike, and working out which one suits you before you've held it in your hands isn't simple. Let's try to put some order into it.

The tote: the one that keeps everything in order

The tote bag has short handles, carried by hand or on the forearm. It's the most structured of the family: it keeps its shape even when empty, which is exactly why it's the natural choice for the office and for days when you need things to stay put. Medium sizes fit a tablet or an A5 notebook; the larger shopper styles easily hold a 13-inch laptop.

It's also the richest category in our range, with over a hundred styles among our women's tote bags. Here you'll find the best of Gianni Chiarini, which has made this style its speciality, and the most recognisable lines from Coccinelle.

The crossbody: free hands, free mind

The crossbody bag has a long strap worn diagonally across the body, from shoulder to opposite hip. It's the most practical style there is: it distributes the weight, doesn't slip, and leaves both your hands free, which is why it's the favourite of anyone who takes public transport, travels, or has children to hold onto.

One thing we always say: check whether the strap is adjustable and, above all, whether it's detachable. A bag with a removable strap is really two bags in one, since it becomes a clutch or a tote whenever you need it. You'll find them among our women's crossbody bags, where Borbonese offers its most iconic styles.

The shoulder bag: the classic that never tires

The shoulder bag has handles or a strap of intermediate length, designed to sit on the shoulder without you having to bend your arm. It's the perfect compromise between the elegance of a tote and the comfort of a crossbody, and it's in fact the style our customers use most, day to day. Browse our women's shoulder bags.

Materials change everything (more than the style does)

Two identical bags in different leathers are two different bags. Smooth leather is the most formal and elegant, but it's also the one that shows marks the most. Saffiano leather, with its cross-hatch grain, is practically scratchproof: the right choice if you use the bag every day and toss it in the car. Suede is the most beautiful to look at and the most delicate to look after, perfect for special occasions.

Then there's a category all its own: treated, lived-in leather, the kind that's born already showing its marks. It's the signature of Campomaggi: bags that don't wear out with use, they get better. If the idea of having to be careful makes you uneasy, this is the right answer.

Which bag for which occasion?

Office → a tote or a structured shopper, in saffiano or dark smooth leather. It needs to stand up on its own and hold a laptop.

Everyday → a medium-sized crossbody or shoulder bag. If the strap is detachable, even better.

Travel and city → a hands-free crossbody, ideally with a zip closure and an outer pocket for your phone.

Special occasions and evenings → a clutch or a small chain bag. Rule of thumb: the more formal the occasion, the smaller the bag.

How to choose the right size

The most useful criterion isn't looks but content. Mentally list what you carry every day (wallet, phone, keys, glasses, water bottle, maybe an umbrella) and choose the bag that holds them without you having to force it in. A bag packed to the brim loses its shape and wears out faster; one that's too big becomes a bottomless pit. When in doubt, the medium size is the one people actually use.

How to make it last

Three things make the difference. Don't set it down on the ground (the base is the part that wears out first; if it has metal feet, that's exactly what they're for). When you're not using it, stuff it with paper and keep it in its cotton dust bag, so it doesn't lose its shape. And if it gets caught in the rain, let it air-dry away from radiators, never with a hairdryer. The same principles apply to cleaning the leather as for shoes: we cover it in our guide on how to polish and clean them.

Frequently asked questions

What's the most comfortable bag for everyday use? A medium-sized crossbody, especially if the strap is adjustable and detachable: it distributes the weight across your body and leaves your hands free.

What bag do you use for the office? A tote or a structured shopper that stands up on its own and holds a 13-inch laptop. Saffiano leather is best, since it doesn't scratch.

Is saffiano leather real leather? Yes. "Saffiano" doesn't refer to a different material, but to a treatment: the leather is embossed with a cross-hatch grain that makes it scratch-resistant and easy to clean.

How do you clean a suede bag? Dry, with a soft-bristle brush, always moving it in the same direction. Never use water. For stains you need a special suede eraser: if you're unsure, bring it into our shop and we'll take a look together.

How many bags do you actually need? Three cover almost everything: a dark tote for work and formal occasions, a medium crossbody for every day, and a small evening bag. The rest is for pleasure, which is a perfectly good reason too.

Find them at Sangiorgio

We've been a shop in Merate since 1947, and we choose our bags one by one, looking at the leathers and stitching before the catalogues. Every piece is 100% genuine, with fast shipping and exchange or return within 30 days. Browse all our women's bags and, if you're torn between two styles, message us in chat: it's the question we like best.