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I am so so embarassed to say this reader question has been kicking around my inbox for the past four months. Bad EWP!
I think it's a fantastic question and absolutely something I would love to help with, except all the grand plans I made for myself kind of made the thought of doing a guide a little overwhelming. But I have finally gotten over the hump and decided to answer this fabulous handbag question.
Today I'll be running you through the different types of handbags and other handbag basics, and the rest of the week (and probably into next week since I'm a procrastinator), I'll be giving you fun hot options for each type of bag.
So let the guiding begin!
1. Tote bags and shoppers
When you need to bring along many of your belongings, totes bags and shoppers are the large bags for you. 
Tote bags and shoppers have a bigger capacity than other handbags. Most tote bags and shoppers have a heavy-duty design. Totes bags and shoppers are available in several types of materials, often in canvas twill and leather. Totes and shoppers usually have a functional square or rectangular shape and an open top. Make sure to look out for zippered-top totes if you worry about pickpockets. Some tote bags are wide open and ready for whatever you want to put in, while other totes have handy storage compartments for key, cell phones, water bottles and anything else you may need. Tote bags always have some sort of handle, and often the handles are long enough to use as a shoulder strap.
Tote bags have one other special quality: The bigger the purse you carry, the smaller you look -- instant weight loss from your accessories!
Where you'll be taking your tote bag or shopper:
On an airplane as a carry-on
To the beach with all of your gear
To work when you need to bring along a full day's supplies, including a change of shoes for walking to the office and/or your lunch
Out shopping so you won't have to use any plastic bags
Do: take advantage of the utilitarian design of tote bags and shoppers and use one of these purses when you're wearing casual clothing, like jeans and a sweater.
Do: choose a tote bag that can be taken to the office by selecting one in a neutral color, possibly out of leather, so it won't take away from your career look.
Don't: use a tote bag for a dressy evening, like a wedding, even if your tote bag is a designer handbag.
2. Shoulder bags
Perfect for everyday, shoulder bags are the workhorses of a handbag wardrobe.
With straps long enough to go over your shoulder (hence the name), shoulder bags will keep everything you need handy without taking up one of your hands. The shoulder straps may allow the purse to hang as low as your hips or up high by your waist. Many shoulder bags have outside pockets as well as interior places to organize everything you need, from your cell phone to your keys. Shoulder bags are available in many different styles, like the soft, slouchy, and unstructured crescent-shaped hobo bag [pictured second in this section], the functional and necessary diaper bag and all manner of luxurious designer handbags. With a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, closures and designs, there's
sure to be a shoulder bag that you'll love to bring with you.Where you'll be taking your shoulder bag
To the store, with your wallet, cell phone and keys tucked inside
To the movies with your friends (I won't tell if you sneak in your own candy)
When you go out to eat at a casual restaurant or bar
To the office, but remember to choose a higher-quality material to maintain a professional look
Do: let your shoulder bag be a pop of color when you're wearing a neutral outfit.
Do: adjust the strap so your shoulder bag doesn't hang any lower than your hips.
Don't: wear your glamorous clothes with a shoulder bag unless it has a very delicate strap; otherwise, the shoulder strap will interfere with the beauty of your eveningwear. Unless your name is EWP, in which case you lug a black leather shoulder bag to weddings even though you'd rather be wearing a clutch, because it's the only thing short of a tote that will hold your giant SLR digital camera. My apologies to all people who I offend by this.
3. Satchels
Satchels are true handbags because the handles are short enough that you hold it in your hand.
You'll want to use these luggage-inspired purses because:
With their wide, flat interiors and double handles, satchels have a classic look that never looks inappropriate. Available in a variety of sizes, satchels can be filled with most women's day-to-day necessities. You can achieve the perfect laid-back look with jeans and a leather satchel. When you need a hand, your satchel easily rests in the crook of your arm, or if you pull the straps over your shoulder, your satchel tucks into your underarm.
Where you'll be taking your satchel
On a date when you want a handbag with a ladylike look and plenty of storage
To a bar or club on girls' night out
To a party when you won't mind that all eyes will be on your handbag
Do: look for satchels with fun details like leather trim or fancy buckles on exterior pockets.
Do: choose brightly colored satchels in the spring and summer.
Don't: leave the detachable shoulder strap attached -- if your satchel comes with one -- across-the-shoulder straps are evil and must never be worn.
4. Evening bags
Evening bags, including my all time favorite go to dress up bag - the clutch (which has no strap and you hold -- or "clutch" -- in your hand) and wristlets (which have a strap just long enough to hang over your wrist), are the
handbags you'll want for a special night out.With lovely details like beads, fringe and sequins and fine fabrics like metallics and satins, evening bags will complement your evening wear perfectly. You can choose between soft, leather evening bags or handbags with structured metal frames, depending on how formal your eveningwear is (I'm definitely going through a structured box clutch phase. I can't get enough of them!) If your evening bag has a handle, you can tuck it inside to transform it into a clutch bag. You can also use a clutch bag as a wallet inside your larger handbag during the day, and then pull it out for evening. Nothing says glamour and romance more than accessorizing with a beaded or rhinestone evening bag.
Where you'll be taking your evening bag:
To a holiday party when you're there to impress
To a fine restaurant when you're there with your special someone
To a wedding (with a few tissues inside, obvi)
To a cocktail party, where a statement ring-clad hand holding a clutch bag will be the perfect elegant look
Do: get dressed to the nines and take advantage of the style of evening bags.
Do: let a fun evening bag, clutch bag or wristlet take center stage when you're wearing a little black dress.
Don't: try to cram too much into your evening bag. Only bring along the essentials: cell phone, mints, a credit card, lipstick and cab fare.
Other handbag features
Closures
Think about the type of closures you would prefer as you are shopping for handbags. Do you need the security of a zipper or would you like an open top? Would snaps be a bother or are they just the right amount of closure? Do you prefer a flap with a magnet or would a drawstring be to your liking? Be sure to read the description of the closure and make sure it's one you'll like using.
Materials
From leather handbags to satin handbags, the materials available are seemingly endless. Evening bags work well in fine fabrics, but your everyday handbag should be made out of a more durable material. If you plan on using your new purse often, be sure to notice if the fabric can handle the use, like leather.
Function
Remember to consider how the shape of your handbag and the storage compartments will affect its functionality. Do you want easy access to your cell phone or a compartment just for your keys? Do you like to carry a north-south handbag (one that is tall and narrow) or an east-west handbag (one that is wide and short)? If shopping online, be sure to read the handbag descriptions closely so you'll love every detail when your handbag arrives.
Common Handbag Questions:
How should I care for my handbags?
Most handbags can't go into the laundry, so prevent stains and dirt as much as possible, especially when you have designer handbags. Handle your handbags with clean hands, and think about using darker-colored handbags when you go places where there's food or other things that may stain your handbags. If you take your purse to the movies or to a restaurant, place it on a chair instead of on the floor. Keep items that could stain the interior -- pens, makeup or snacks -- zipped into another small bag that you put into your handbag.
Many handbags can be spot-cleaned with a soft, damp cloth. Use leather cleaner on your leather handbags, but be sure to do a test patch in an inconspicuous area to check for color-fastness. For tricky spots or delicate fabrics, take your handbags to the dry cleaner.
Store your designer handbag in the cloth dust bag it came with, in a pillowcase or in bubble wrap -- not tissue paper which may attract moths. If there is a chain handle, then store it inside the handbag where it can't scratch the exterior. Unbuckle any buckles and loosen any straps to prevent marks from the metal.
Does my handbag need to match my other accessories?
Your handbag absolutely does NOT need to match your shoes. But if you find matching rather overwhelming, you can match neutral shoes, belt, and bag together. But stick to basic neutrals like black and navy if you're going the matchy look, otherwise if you do them all in, say, fire engine red, you will look ridiculous. Mismatched -- but coordinated -- accessories can look very modern, so if you like that style I have full confidence that you can make it work. Many women find this look to be fresher and less fussy. When your accessories aren't matching, be sure to maintain a similar feeling; for example, try carrying a tote bag with casual shoes but use a clutch bag when you're wearing pretty pumps.
Which handbags do I need to have a good handbag wardrobe?
Make sure you have a handbag that will suit everything you do and everywhere you go. You wouldn't want to carry a big shopper when you're wearing an evening gown just as you wouldn't want to carry everything you need for work in a little clutch bag. The basics are a large handbag, a medium-sized everyday handbag, and an evening bag. Then fill in your handbag wardrobe based on what you do, where you go and what you wear.
