What Is The Difference Between A Handbag And A Purse?

Wherever you go you will hear the words purse and handbag used a lot. This raises the question of at what stage does a purse become a handbag or a handbag become a purse?

In the USA the word purse is used universally for all sizes of bags used by women. Elsewhere a handbag is a larger bag with multiple compartments and carried by carry-handles or a shoulder strap, while a purse is a small bag without straps that is clutched in your hand.

Let’s take a closer look at handbags and purses to see when is the best time to use each of these elegant accessories.

What Is The Difference Between A Handbag And A Purse?

The most often-found differences between the terms ‘handbag’ and ‘purse’ often lie in geographic locations and the preferences of the people of the region. In Western America, for example, the terms handbag and purse are used interchangeably, and ‘purse’ has even grown to be the preferred term to use.

At its onset, purses were identified as small containers specifically created for holding money. Later advancement has seen women’s carriers and pouches adopting the name, to the point where instead of the term ‘handbag’, the term purse is more widely preferred.

However, there are some that note a marked difference between the two, outlining that purses are much smaller, and have the capacity to hold only a few items, while handbags are much larger and encompassing. What truly is the difference between these two?

What Are The Significant Features Of A Handbag?

A handbag traditionally has multiple compartments that can be used to hold various items of varying sizes, weights, and uses. Jokes are told all the time of a woman’s handbag holding a number of things, and the punchline is nothing if not true. The size of a handbag on the outside can vary, but regularly, they are large, wide and open, and have a vacuous space within, lined with various compartments for storage.

As such, their capacity to hold things is high, and though they come in a variety of styles, yet they all seem to have this in common. In addition, handbags are stylistically worn to more official daytime functions due to their ability to carry items. Outside of being a fashion statement, handbags are far more useful than purses and very stylish.

What Are The Significant Features Of A Purse?

A purse on the other hand carries a smaller amount of items, and may be holding items such as valuables, as was its originally intended purpose. Though it has graduated from carrying coins and other monies, it is still very limited in terms of what it holds. Credit cards, cellphones, jewelry and the like are all items that are often found in purses.

Whilst a majority of people have no problems interchangeably using the terms ‘purse’ and ‘handbag’, some insist that their functions are far more diverse. Purses are used for light functions where a handbag would have been far too much to handle, for example, a shopping trip.

When Should You Choose A Handbag Over A Purse?

As previously mentioned, purses and handbags are both useful in their own right, but they are both used in different situations to fulfill different purposes.

That being said, the choice of a handbag versus a purse is a question of function, so that means asking yourself how useful will it be? Do you need something capable of holding a number of items? Or will your bag contain only a few? Does your bag need to be large enough to be comfortable for you on your journey?

If the answer to these questions is yes, then this means that indeed a handbag may be right for you.

When Should You Choose A Purse Over A Handbag?

If the answer to any of the above questions is no, then a purse might be better for you. If, for example, you know for certain you are only bringing some change, small cards, or a certain amount of cash, purses might be ideal, though handbags might prove to be far more inconspicuous.