How to Pair Bags With Different Outfits: Your Visual Guide to Style

The wrong bag can totally spoil your perfect look. Whether it's for work, date night or brunch with the girls, the right bag completes your look and shows off your personal style. A lot of people freak out about selecting their bags — they tend to go for the one safe choice or try to think really hard about their bags.

This article is going to be guiding you to know all the bits about pairing bags to different clothes. You'll pick up simple rules, avoid the key mistakes and emerge with the confidence to hack your look. By the time you reach the end of this article you'll be able to choose the best bag for any occasion with confidence.

The Fundamentals: Rules for Pairing the Right Bag and Outfit

How Big It Is Matters More Than You Think

Your bag size should be proportionate to your body size and your outfit type. You can wear big bag with a long dress or oversized outfits, and small bag is good with a fitted outfit or dainty style. It's usually a good move to pick bags that play against the volume of your outfit - so if your clothes are big and loose? Go small with your bag selection.

Your height will also come into play with bag choice. According to Ryan, taller persons may look natural with big bags, as they can carry them without looking swamped by them, and shorter people tend to appear better with medium or small type bags. But there are guidelines, not hard and fast rules – what's most important is what you like and makes you feel confident.

Color Coordination Secrets

That being said, matching my bag color to what I'm wearing doesn't have to be head-to-toe anything. The chicest statements come not from perfect coordination but from color combinations. Here are the best color strategies:

Neutral Foundation: Black, brown, beige, navy and gray all but disappear in the face of these colors. These are investment colors that are going to serve you well in various seasons and trends.

Pop of Color: Make your bag an accent by selecting a color that's repeated elsewhere in your outfit—perhaps in your shoes, jewelry or some pattern in your clothes.

Monochrome Magic: Dressing in different hues of the same color family makes for a stylish, put-together look that's impossible to fail.

Texture and Material Guidelines

The texture of your bag must be in sync with the formality of your attire. For a professional look, go for smooth leather; and for casual wear, cotton, canvas or fabric bags. Metallic finishes bring the bling to evening clothes, and structured fabrics, such as patent leather, send a strong message.

Think about the season when selecting textures. Suede and velvet look right in fall and winter, and straw and canvas bags positively whisper summer. Contrasting textures is nice (if you're hanging with your BFFs and having a great time), but they should be equal in formality.

Professionally Perfect: Work Outfit Bags

The Classic Business Look

For a professional office setting, choose structured bags in neutral tones. Invest in a good black, brown or navy leather tote or satchel and you'll have it for years. These bags have to be big enough to carry everything you need to get through your day at work, without being overbearing or taking over your professional look.

Opt for bags with simple silhouette and as little hardware as possible. Steer clear of anything too trendy, because these pieces will need to play nicely with a host of outfits over the years. It is quality over quantity in a professional setting - one great bag is better than multiple lackluster ones.

Modern Workplace Styles

And in today's more relaxed workplaces, there are opportunities for creative bag moves. Crossbody bags in a luscious hue can be casual Friday friendly, and many of us are seeing that as long as a backpack is neat and sleek it can be worn anywhere. The trick is to choose threads that are polished (here, the leather) but still say a lot about your personal style.

Think of your daily routine when picking work bags. If you take public transportation, a crossbody or backpack might be more practical than a standard handbag. If you do a lot of strolling during the day, comfort is likely your No. 1 concern.

Business Travel Essentials

Professional, practical bags are a must for work trips. A rolling laptop bag or a structured tote with many compartments can help you stay organized while looking professional. Opt for darker colors that will camouflage wear and tear from the road.

Casual Day Champions: Every Day Bag Choice

Weekend Warrior Looks

Casual looks allow for the most variety when it comes to handbags. Canvas totes, slouchy hobo bags, and colorful cross-body bags — these all look chic when paired with jeans and casual tops. Here's where you can play with colors, patterns and funky shapes.

When in the market for casual bags, think about your lifestyle. Shopping requires oversized totes, and grabbing coffee might require no more than a tiny crossbody. Consider what you will wear it with and what you will want to carry in it, and select accordingly.

Running Errands in Style

We can be practical without being boring. Crossbody bags free up your hands for shopping bags and car keys—yet keep you looking pulled together. Select medium-sized bags that can fit your wallet, phone, keys and a couple of other things without getting massive.

When it comes to bags you're using for errand-running, adjustable straps are your friend. Wear one across your body for extra security or on one shoulder for easy access. Find bags with plenty of pockets to keep track of little items.

Vacation and Travel Vibes

When it comes to vacation bags, it should be fashionable and strong. Crossbody bags with zippers help keep pickpockets at bay, while straw totes add a touch of the tropics to beach attire. Opt for colors and materials that photograph well if you're going to be taking lots of pictures.

Evening Glamour: Special Bags

Date Night Sophistication

Date nights require bags that complement your outfit, not overshadow it. Small clutches, dainty chain bags and tiny cross body bags are all good options. The trick is to find one that works with the style and color palette of your outfit but is also sturdy enough to carry your essentials.

Think about what you're doing on your date. A fancy restaurant might warrant a streamlined clutch, while a casual dinner could accommodate a little crossbody satchel. Practicality should always be considerations for you along with the style.

Formal Events and Parties

The smallest bags of all are often for the most formal occasions. Enter clutches, minaudieres, and small evening bags, which serve a decorative function and hold the bare essentials. These bags need to match with your dress but not overshadow it.

Instead, save such treatments for metallic finishes, beading or sparkly details on your evening bags. And because these accessories are small, they can be better suited to more dramatic details than larger, everyday bags. Regardless, many of the season's iterations are statement-making. Let the colors you choose for your shoes match the costume exactly, or give a subtle difference in the costume and shoes.

Wedding Guest Guidelines

Wedding guest bags have to be both stylish and useful. You will be standing up for hours so you might want to be hands free and take the tissues and lipstick, and maybe even your phone in a purse. A medium sized clutch, or small crossbody, tends to work best.

I would also steer away from white or cream bags at weddings, these are colors usually reserved for the bride. Pastels, jewel tones or metallics are usually good for a wedding.

Swap Season: Changing Your Bags with the Seasons

Spring Refresher

Then comes Spring, and with it lighter and more colorful looks and fabrics. Newly hued bags in soft pastels, canvas totes and bags in bright colors like mint green or coral say the change of season. Now is the perfect time to retire heavy winter bags in favor of lighter ones.

Floral, delicate details, all of that can be really nice for spring. Petite crossbody bags in flowery prints or bags in delicate, romantic hues mirror the season's energy. Remember also that many spring showers might find their way to your she-shed, so select durable materials that can handle a little bit of water once in a while.

Summer Essentials

Bags for summer need to endure heat, sun and outdoor excursions. Straw bags, canvas totes and a riot of color capture the season's spirits. The style of a beach bag should be big enough for towels and sunscreen, while the everyday summer bags can be colorful and smaller.

Light colors will not absorb as much heat and carrying in warm weather will be more pleasant. Summer outfits are best in white, beige, and brights.

Fall Fashion Forward

Autumn marks the return of deeper hues and fuller textures. Burgundy, burnt orange and dark green bags are the perfect fall accessory! Suede and leather feels right for this cool-down.

Now is the time to try animal prints, luxurious textures and structured silhouettes. Fall bags can be a tad larger to fit layers and seasonal accessories (looking at you, gloves and scarves).

Winter Sophistication

Winter bags must work with coats and bulky clothing. Black, brown and navy are practical colors that won't reveal stains and weathering from harsh winter months. Structured silhouettes work better with the bulk of winter coats.

Pay close attention to the size of your winter bag. It has to be appropriately sized for your layered-up winter figure, but also small enough to slip under coats and jackets.

The Psychology of Color: The Secret of What Your Bag Color Says About You

Body Shapes: What's Your Perfect Bag?

Petite Frames

If you are on the short side, steer clear of bags that will swamp your frame. Medium bags tend to fare well over oversized totes. Vertical shapes can lengthen your look; horizontal ones potentially make you look wider.

Proportions are most flattering when crossbody bags hit at your natural waist rather than your hips. Skip those that are too small as they can make you appear disproportionally large in the other direction.

Tall and Statuesque

Larger bags and statement patterns are (physically) easier on taller people. Go for oversized totes, large hobo bags, statement bags. These all are fine and complement your size. Since small bags can be overwhelming to smaller frames, don't shy away from trying bigger styles.

If you are at all interested in not being so tall, you can experiment with horizontal shapes and oversized bags to counteract height. But if you're proud of your height, vertical shapes accentuate and celebrate it.

Curvy Figures

A structured bag often looks better on a curvy frame compared to a slouchy one. Find bags with angles that mimic your natural curves. By this we mean bags that add bulk to places where you would rather not be adding any.

Just take note of where the bag hits on your body. Crossbody bags ought to hit your natural waist; shoulder bags should fall at the most flattering point on your torso.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The Matchy-Matchy Trap

One of the most common mistakes is buying a bag that is completely identical in color and pattern to your shoes or belt. This results in a dated, overly matched look that screams nothing personal. Instead aim for like colors, or select one matching element and vary the rest.

Modernity is about harmony, not exact matches. Select hues in the same family, or go for neutral bags that complement lots of different accessories.

Ignoring Proportions

A tiny bag with a flowing maxi dress, or a huge tote with a fitting pencil skirt is off-kilter. Your bag should enhance your outfit's proportions, not challenge them.

Observe the total figure while you select bags. If your outfit is skintight, you can work a bag that's bigger. If your clothes are baggy and flowing, something more structured or tiny will often work better.

Forgetting About Functionality

In no circumstances should form be allowed to supersede function. There is no point in carrying a beautiful bag that won't hold what you need or that causes discomfort. You don't have to sacrifice style for function, so think about what you use every day before you decide what bags to invest in.

Consider your lifestyle when purchasing bags. If you're a mover and shaker, invest in comfort and organization. If you do a lot of evening formal, invest in some beautiful evening bags.

Building Your Perfect Bag Collection

The Essential Five

For the most part, there are five basic bags that every woman should have to take care of most of her needs:

1. A black or brown leather structured work tote

2. An everyday errands and weekend activities casual crossbody bag

3. A tiny evening clutch for dress and date evenings

4. Neutral everyday easy open shoulder bag

5. A seasonal statement that says style while also saying seasons

These five bags range from work, casual, and formal and have you covered in size and style. Begin with these basics before introducing more specialized items.

Investment vs. Trendy Pieces

Purchase classic bags in neutral tones that you will want to keep for years. These building block garments should be of good quality and have timeless design. Save your experimental budget for trendier items in fun colors or novel shapes.

A solid rule of thumb is the cost-per-wear equation. Of course a really fancy bag you wear regularly is over time a better value than a really cheap bag that falls apart quickly. Good basics are worth the investment.

Storage and Care Tips

Storing properly will extend the life of your bags and keep them looking newer. When you have space in your closet, store bags upright, stuff them with tissue paper so they retain their shape, and put them in dust bags or in their original boxes to keep them from getting scratched.

Leather purses can be kept looking like new with regular cleaning and conditioning. For fabric bags, you'll find the care instructions, clean and follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I carry brown bags with black dresses?

Yes — but opt for rich, dark brown shades, not light brown. Chocolate brown, espresso, or dark cognac hues look stunning with black attire. This pairing feels chic and cool, particularly in the fall and winter.

How many bags should I own?

The perfect number is going to really vary depending on your lifestyle but for most women having 5-10 in total is beneficial. This should be a combination of sizes, colors, and styles to cover any event that might come up. Less is more because quality is better than quantity.

Is it acceptable to wear a backpack with a dress?

Absolutely! Today's backpacks can go fashion-forward with dresses, especially if they are more casual or midi-length. Opt for a streamlined backpack in leather or something that's ideally made of materials like the ones they make luxury bags out of. Steer clear of sporty backpacks when it comes to very feminine dresses.

Should my bag match my belt?

No, exact matching is outdated. Instead, choose metals that complement one another or fall in the same color families. If your belt is gold toned, your bag's hardware can be perfectly gold, brass or warm metals. Perfect matches look too coordinated.

Can I carry a clutch during the day?

Bigger clutches can be great on their own for daytime, especially on lunch dates or shopping trips. Opt for a day-appropriate clutch in a lighter shade, or with a cool texture. Ensure they're big enough to fit your daytime essentials in.

How do I pick out a bag color for an outfit with a print?

Choose a color in the print or select a neutral that does not compete with the print. Solid black, navy, brown and cream are usually safe with patterns. Don't introduce another pattern unless you are extremely comfortable with power clashing.

Is it worth spending money on designer bags?

Investing in designer bags can be worth it if you use them regularly and take good care of them. They typically have better construction and materials than lower-cost ones. But there are also plenty of mid-range brands that deliver top quality without the high price tag.

How can I take my work bag into the evening?

Opt for work bags with removable or convertible straps. A structured tote can wear as a slick clutch sans handles. Seek out bags with both professional and evening-appropriate details.

Your Bag, Your Style Statement

Picking bags to go with your outfits is part art, part science. But it needn't be so complicated. The most important rule is to pick bags that make you feel confident and comfortable. When you are happy with the choices you've made, it speaks in the way that you stand.

Keep in mind that style rules are in fact guidelines. Fashion is a form of self-expression, so don't be afraid to bend the rules once in a while if it feels right. The best-dressed among us often don't wear something that sets them apart for its tastefulness and obvious correctness but because of its unexpected blend of things that shouldn't work together but somehow just do.

Begin with what you need and work your way up. Just take a look at what best suits your lifestyle, body and preferences. The more you do it, the more you won't have to think twice about how to pick the right bag for any outfit.

And as always be playful with your bags! They're one of the easiest ways to change up your style, show off your personality and add interest to basic outfits. Whether you love classic elegance or statement making style, there's a bag ready and waiting to polish off your look.