A handbag is an important accessory to any outfit that safely houses all your essentials when you're out and about. If you've ever been shopping for a shoulder bag, then you'll probably know that the options available on the market are endless. But while selecting a colour or pattern is mostly down to personal preference, choosing the right style and material requires some forethought especially if you want to find something for a specific event or occasion.
To help you find the ideal shoulder bag for any occasion, we've put together a handy buying guide that can help you to identify what to look for when shopping. We'll also include a top 10 list of the best shoulder bags that you can buy online in the UK from Amazon, John Lewis, and ASOS to give you some ideas. From affordable options that offer great value for money, to luxe pieces from designer brands that will last you decades, there is a piece here for everyone.
Quick List - Top Shoulder Bags for Women
Radley
A Must-Have Multipurpose Accessory for Any Wardrobe
Longchamp
Lightweight and Pretty Foldaway Bag Perfect for Grabbing and Go
Woodland Leather Store
Timeless Piece Made From Real Italian Leather
Gladdon
Durable Top Handle Hobo Bag With Detachable, Adjustable Straps
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Table of Contents
A shoulder bag has at least one strap securely attached in order for it to be looped over the shoulder for support, allowing the user to carry it hands-free. Besides the standard shoulder bag which could either be big or small, cross-bodies, hobos, and totes are among other common styles of shoulder bags that each have their own benefit.
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Shoulder bags can be made from a bunch of materials. Choosing the right one can have a significant impact on the level of style and appearance that the bag can add to an outfit - from a more casual touch to a design that exudes elegance.
Finding the perfect strap length is important as it can affect how the bag looks, how you carry it, and the level of comfort when it is looped over your shoulders. Whether you want a long strap so that you can easily reach inside the bag without taking it off, or something short enough to carry securely close to your body, determine the strap drop length to help you estimate how it will be carried.
The strap drop measurement takes the vertical distance between the bag opening and the top of your shoulder where the strap would sit. Shoulder bags and totes typically have a strap drop of between 7 and 20 inches, while bags with a strap drop of more than 20 inches are generally worn across the body, and are best measured using strap length.
Dual straps will carry more comfortably as the weight is evenly distributed. Additionally, the wider the straps are, the more weight a bag can bear due to better weight distribution and comfort as the strap's contact area expands. Those with sensitive shoulders, such as someone with arthritis may appreciate this. Although, with a thinner strap, the bag will be less likely to fall off your shoulder as it provides a better grip.
The number of compartments a bag has is important if you want to stay organised. Certain shoulder bags may lack in this aspect. A tote, for instance, usually has just one large compartment and a smaller zipper compartment inside. In order to stay organised with a tote bag, you might have to purchase a separate organiser. So, opt for a bag with more than 2 compartments if you want to keep all your items separate.
If you travel often, a passport holder or travel wallet is ideal to store your travel documents, and for getting them out quickly when needed.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Radley Baylis Road Medium Leather Zip Top Shoulder Bag | ![]() | A Must-Have Multipurpose Accessory for Any Wardrobe | |
2 | Longchamp Le Pliage Original Shoulder Bag | ![]() | Lightweight and Pretty Foldaway Bag Perfect for Grabbing and Go | |
3 | Woodland Leather Store Genuine Leather Italian small shoulder bag | ![]() | Timeless Piece Made From Real Italian Leather | |
4 | Gladdon Large Capacity Top-handle Hobo Bag | ![]() | Durable Top Handle Hobo Bag With Detachable, Adjustable Straps | |
5 | Michael Kors Jet Set Small Signature Shoulder Bag | ![]() | A Compact and Versatile Piece That Will Be the Star of Your Wardrobe | |
6 | kate spade NEW YORK Nylon Shoulder Bag | ![]() | Kate Spade’s Iconic Small Shoulder Bag With a Sporty Twist | |
7 | Kipling Sarande N Women's Shoulder Bag | ![]() | Spacious Shoulder Bag Made From Durable and Flexible Nylon | |
8 | WEILIAN Soft PU Leather Shoulder Bag with Zip Pockets | ![]() | Affordable, Compact Cross Body Bag With Multiple Compartments and Thin Adjustable Strap | |
9 | Truffle Collection Quilted Shoulder Bag With Chain Strap | ![]() | Quilted Design With Elegant Chain Straps | |
10 | Ted Baker Women's Seacon Icon Bag | ![]() | Spacious Faux Leather Shoulder Bag for Casual Days Out |
Our no. 1 is a lavish piece that we think you'll want to carry with you everywhere you go, from the office to brunch dates on the weekends. Crafted in grained leather, the exterior is incredibly durable and lends an impression of sophistication to any ensemble.
Meanwhile, the triple-compartment interior is spacious and makes it easy for those who want to keep things neat and tidy, with a central zip section to make sure nothing falls out. Its elegance, flexibility, and practicality make this a must-have accessory.
Longchamp's light, foldaway bags are known all over the world as it has become the go-to tote for people who just want to grab and go. Le Pliage, which is inspired by the neat folds of origami, brings practicality to a sleek, minimalist silhouette that you can use everyday.
With ample volume, this tote bag has enough space to hold items such as books, documents, or even a laptop that is protected by the zipper closure. Meanwhile, the two handles are long and thick enough that you can wear comfortably on your shoulder. And if you don't require that much space, this tote can be folded down to the size of a paperback book that can be used for evening nights out.
Vera Pelle is a timeless piece from the Woodland Leather Store that is made from real Italian leather in Florence, Tuscany. This bag has a classy style, but it is also extremely strong and long-lasting because of its resilient material.
The central zip compartment opens up to two smaller main compartments to store your belongings. Plus, there's also a zippered pocket on the back for small items. You can change the style or length of the strap at any time thanks to the detachable design too. For the affordable price, we think this bag is value for money.
This beautiful, brown, high-quality PU leather bag has enough space to store anything as large as a Macbook Pro and still have room for other daily necessities. Despite this, it doesn't add much to the bag's bulkiness as there are several compartments that you can neatly tuck them into.
Plus, you can adjust the straps according to your desired length and switch it to a cross-body style to help with carrying when you have heavier items. We think the bag's classic exterior, its versatility, and reasonable price point makes it a win if you are looking for an affordable everyday bag.
Upgrade your wardrobe with this Jet Set Shoulder Bag from Michael Kors that is designed with a canvas body and stitched leather accents, and is completed with the distinctive MK branding all over for a luxe appeal.
Further enhancing the tough-luxe look, the bag has a chain-link strap attached to the main zippered compartment, which has two interior side pockets to house all your daily essentials. Sleek, timeless, versatile, and with a feminine-flair, this bag is the perfect accessory to any outfit that you can use from day to night.
This bag from kate spade is a new version of the original shoulder bag that has been a crowd favourite since 1993. As a nod to the celebrated designs from the same era, this updated version includes a webbed strap to give it a sporty touch.
Made from leather, the simple design gives it versatility as it will suit casual outfits on days out to dolled up evenings in town. A zip-top fastening will safely secure all of your personal belongings inside, and the fully lined interior with internal slip pockets help to keep everything in place.
Kipling's Sarande is a trendy bag that keeps you organised all day long thanks to its spacious main zippered area that opens up to smaller zip pockets where you can neatly store all your items. The exterior is made of nylon which is a lightweight yet durable and stretchable fabric.
Thanks to its sturdy dual duffle straps, you can comfortably transport the bag and everything in it on your shoulders without it chafing or hurting. Each purchase comes with a furry Kipling monkey keyring too, making your new bag unique and easily identifiable.
Although this cross body bag has a compact size, it contains various zippered compartments on the inside and out that will help to keep your items organised. Made with a faux leather exterior, this bag comes in other colour options such as a classic black, striking red, or dashing purple.
The thin strap makes for great grip on your shoulders which means you won't have a problem with it falling off, which can be dangerous for such a light bag as you may not realise until it is too late. With adjustable straps, you can easily find a comfortable length for you to carry around.
This gorgeous piece from Truffle Collection is an affordable must-have that you can take from spending the day with friends and family to formal events or even a clubbing night out. The black quilted outer and gold chain straps gives a touch of elegance - pair it with a simple black dress for a sophisticated flair.
A magnetic clasp is there to keep any items from falling out, while the foldover flap top provides convenience for reaching in and out of the bag. Nevertheless, due to the materials used, this bag might not be as durable as the other options on our list.
Ted Baker is known for their iconic tote bags that will transport all of your daily essentials while hitting all the right notes when it comes to style. Our choice features this blush pink Seacon Icon bag that is made with butter-soft synthetic leather with a crosshatch finish for a hint of texture, and embossed logo design that adds a chic finish to any outfit.
Nevertheless, this bag does not have any zippered compartments so you'll have to be extra careful about your items falling out. This also means that it doesn't offer much room for organisation unless you buy a separate organiser. Style wise though, we still think this is a great choice for casual days out.
Written and researched by Audrey Tan
No. 1: Radley|Baylis Road Medium Leather Zip Top Shoulder Bag
No. 2: Longchamp|Le Pliage Original Shoulder Bag
No. 3: Woodland Leather Store|Genuine Leather Italian small shoulder bag
No. 4: Gladdon|Large Capacity Top-handle Hobo Bag
No. 5: Michael Kors|Jet Set Small Signature Shoulder Bag
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