For those who uses short handle handbags...

H

healthysaver

Member
Nov 26, 2014
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#1
Can you tell me why you like short handle bags vs longer handle that you can carry by the shoulder?
I like usually a tote or a shoulder bag but I would like to try a short handle bag for a change. One thing with them is my hands will not be free and I'm not sure if it will be too inconvenient to carry by hands/elbow?
I need some convincing to try a new style bag lol.

ETA: I like the look of structured bags (short handle with shoulder strap) but right now I'm considering buying a Longchamp short handle bag (but without the shoulder strap which happens to be on sale).
 
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#2
healthysaver said:
Can you tell me why you like short handle bags vs longer handle that you can carry by the shoulder?
I like usually a tote or a shoulder bag but I would like to try a short handle bag for a change. One thing with them is my hands will not be free and I'm not sure if it will be too inconvenient to carry by hands/elbow?
I need some convincing to try a new style bag lol.
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I'm with you. I need to be able to carry a bag on my shoulder. But a lot of the handle bags also have an optional long strap you can leave on and use as needed.
 
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#3
carrying bags by hand/elbow/wrist forces you to carry less b/c the weight you can carry by hand is generally going to be less than what you can carry by shoulder or back. shoulder bags/crossbody/totes contribute to tons of problems for women down the line (pain from excessive weight). it's also more feminine-looking to hand-carry a bag. but designers know women want options so even though i hand carry usually, i always want one with a strap option.
 
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#6
paculina said:
I sometimes use the option to hand or arm carry a bag if the situation warrants, but I would never buy a bag that didn't include a strap.
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I love crossbody bags, but hate fumbling with the strap every time I pick up the bag. I had one super soft, slouchy leather crossbody that I nicknamed the octopus bag because no matter how hard I tried, picking it up invariably resulted in it flipping over and nearly spilling all my stuff on the seat! A top handle (or handles) solves that issue, and gives you options on how to carry it.

And as others have said, is way better for your back.
 
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#7
I've recently made the conversion from shoulder to a pretty strict top handle! I started by carrying bags that had the convertible option…it helped me "practice" carrying the weight on my arm or hand and figure out what was a comfortable amount to carry. Eventually I never had to use the extra carry options!

I discovered the shoulder bags and totes really hurt my upper back, neck, and shoulder. I can only tolerate top handles, backpacks, and small/mostly empty crossbodies (it feels less awkward to switch a crossbody to the other shoulder than to switch a shoulder bag from one side to the other). I totally advocate for carrying top handles! I'm a commuter and every day I see my fellow women carrying around TWO huge totes!!! We need to make wheeling luggage fashionable!!
 
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#8
ccbaggirl89 said:
carrying bags by hand/elbow/wrist forces you to carry less b/c the weight you can carry by hand is generally going to be less than what you can carry by shoulder or back. shoulder bags/crossbody/totes contribute to tons of problems for women down the line (pain from excessive weight). it's also more feminine-looking to hand-carry a bag. but designers know women want options so even though i hand carry usually, i always want one with a strap option.
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This is me all day. Haha long strap rarely stay on my shoulder. They have to be pretty wide also. They always end up falling off my shoulder and onto the crook of my arm. Or they will only stay on my shoulder if I hold them in place. I typically only go for top handled bags, satchels, or crossbody, and usually my top handle/short handle bags come with a strap I can wear crossbody. I'm only 5'1 so I can manage to wear some bags that are only meant for shoulder wear as crossbody. The only actual shoulder bag I have is my Bandit hobo. It is one of the few bags that will stay on my shoulder ( this is my justification for buying and keeping it).
 
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#11
Shorter shoulder straps just won’t stay on my shoulders; the longer ones in a small bag work a bit better. I like to hand carry as I have more control over my bag, on my shoulder it can just suddenly slip and fall onto my elbow which is not nice if it’s full. Also on the shoulder bags, particularly the totes, drag my shirts and tops around the neckline.
 
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#12
Wow, great feedbacks on why short handle bags are better and I agree on a lot of points.
For those who love to use short handled bags, what kind of bags do you use when you travel, sightseeing, etc? Do you still stick to short handle or shoulder strap bags?
 
#13
healthysaver said:
Wow, great feedbacks on why short handle bags are better and I agree on a lot of points.
For those who love to use short handled bags, what kind of bags do you use when you travel, sightseeing, etc? Do you still stick to short handle or shoulder strap bags?
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I will do my best to stick with just pockets when sightseeing or shopping as I only take a debit card and/or some cash. If I'm travelling I'll use a top handled bag that has an additional shoulder strap and carry it by that as and when required. Very occasionally I will use a crossbody bag. The only consistency between all of these is that the bags will always be fairly small.
 
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#14
1. Top-handles are better for your back as you don't involuntarily tense muscles to hold the bag on or clench your arm against the body .
2. Shoulder bags with 2 straps always fall open and then off.
3. X-bodies are excellent but there's a limit as to how big/deep they can be.
4. Double short handles are better for ease of access as you can place the handles apart on your arm and look inside.
5. Most importantly for me. You don't mess-up your nice jackets and coats (which is why I mostly wear shoulder bags in the Summer only).


I would carry a cross-body for sightseeing and wear the strap my jacket or coat.
 
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#15
I love bags with a short top handle. I think it is the most elegant look and as many have said, so much easier on the back. I prefer those that also have a shoulder strap, preferably detachable (like a Kelly). This is what I wear for sightseeing/running around a city.
For travel, I need to be able to fit a laptop, so we are usually talking a tote with two straps that can go over the shoulder - the weight of even a light laptop is a bit too much for a single-strap bag - would damage the bag.
 
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