The Best Bags for Women Over 50 in 2024

Sporty casual bags. Not every woman wants a leather or faux leather bag or even a “dressed” up bag. If you’re super casual about clothes or workout often and want a gym-to-go bag, the new category of stylish but sporty bags like the Athletic Works Women’s Nylon Shoulder Bag in Green Midnight or Black ($15, walmart.com) — which is actually a soft hobo with zip closure — may be what you need.

Everyday totes. These are not your beach-going bags or the open-top canvas bag you grab for “extras.” Totes (now often called “shoppers”) have matured and if you’re an I-need-everything-with-me type, a structured and very polished one happens to work with casual and dressy clothes. A sleek style like the pebbled faux leather Liz Claiborne Jess Shopper Tote Bag in Camel Black, Saddle or Black ($80, jcpenney.com) with snap and zipper closure and multiple pockets is a one-and-done buy.

Work bags. Remember briefcases? Work bags are now called laptop bags, and they also have room for all your usual handbag essentials. Though deceptively simple in design, business-like totes such as the vegan leather Freja New York Linnea Tote Taupe, Pecan or Espresso ($288, frejanyc.com) have wide, easy-to-carry straps, multiple interior compartments and pockets, fit your laptop and have a structured base so it stands on its own without falling over when you leave it on a desk or the floor.

Hands-free evening bags. For informal evenings out a small-ish bag — like a sling or slim shoulder bag is a better choice than a larger hobo, crossbody or tote. For dressier evenings, clutches do the job elegantly but consider a small bag with straps long or short or the Aqua Crystal Mini Crossbody in Silver/Crystal Black ($74, bloomingdales.com) with removable chain and soft top handles that loop over the forearm. It’ll leave your hands free for drinks, hors d’oeuvres and greetings.

Theft-proof travel bags. Anyone who travels a lot can get peace of mind from an ultra-secure bag that defies pickpockets and quick-getaway thieves who prey on travelers and sightseers. When you really want to feel safe opt for a specially designed crossbody bag like the Travelon RFID Anti-Theft Crossbody in Black ($43, target.com)with slash-proof fabric, an adjustable cut-proof shoulder strap and RFID blocking card slots.

Donna Karan New York Cedarhurst Buckle Hobo in Blk/Gold ($148) (left) and Loft Half Moon Shoulder Bag in Deep Spruce Green ($50) (right)

AARP (Macy’s; Loft)

2. Choose a bag color with instant benefits.

One of the biggest bag decisions is: What color should I buy? Right now, a trio of warm neutral bags in the brown, camel and earthy green range are trending. If your wardrobe emphasizes brown, tan and khaki a bag in these colors will give any outfit a pulled-together tonal look. However, black bags are still a popular choice. They go with everything, hide dirt and stains, can sit on the floor of a restaurant, office or car without anxiety, work year-round and look expensive or at least stylish even in low-cost fabrics. If you’re bored with black, a cool dark neutral like burgundy or a cool light neutral like taupe are other fashion-forward choices. Check the hardware too. If you wear mostly silver jewelry, silver-toned buckles and closures look better. If you wear mostly gold jewelry, gold-toned bag hardware is going to keep the warm gleam going. Still unsure of a bag color? Here’s my solution: Buy a style and size you love but try a new-for-you neutral like those above or buy a new-for-you style in “safe” black. It saves you from doubt and returns. Try the Dooney & Bourke’s Belvedere Logo Lock Shoulder Bag in Taupe or Forest ($200, dooney.com), the Donna Karan New York Cedarhurst Buckle Hobo in Blk/Gold ($149, macys.com), the Portland Leather Almost Perfect Nora Shoulder Bag in Merlot, Cinnamon Bear or Pebbled Black ($88, portlandleathergoods.com) and the Loft Half Moon Shoulder Bag in Deep Spruce Green or Black ($50, loft.com) for starters.

The Sak Women’s Lucia Leather Crossbody Bag in Pine Stit (left) and Moss Suede (right) ($104)

AARP (Macy’s, 2)

3. Select a healthier bag size.

Most women over 50 cram their everyday bags with too much stuff. That’s because the list of “essentials” has grown from a wallet, phone, keys, sunglasses, lipstick and tissues to include hand sanitizer, hand cream, eye drops, sunscreen, a hearing aid case and charger, portable phone charger and/or AirPods, an E-reader, pill container for meds, dental floss, hairbrush and elastics, face masks and sometimes a water bottle and snacks. Many women select a gigantic, oversized bag to lug all this stuff around. I’m going to encourage you to trim down the bag size and the contents to reduce strain on the bag — and your neck, shoulders and back. Consider a credit card holder instead of a wallet and opt for travel size beauty items and samples in mini form (available at drugstores, Sephora and department store beauty counters). When buying a new bag, immediately try packing it with the contents of your newly downsized old bag before cutting off the tags or tossing the receipt. Try these “healthy” large-enough bags on for size and see:  Madewell's Essential Curve Shoulder Bag in Shaded Olive, Chocolate Raisin or Soft Mahogany ($198, madewell.com) with zip top for work and weekends, the Sak Women’s Lucia Leather Crossbody Bag in Moss Suede or Pine Stit ($104, macys.com) ideal for run around days and the small Ann Taylor Weekend Quilted Drawstring Bucket Bag in Pure Sapphire and Green Kalamata ($68 and $57, anntaylor.com) perfect for date night and socializing.

4. Look for one bag that will do it all.

Bags provide comfort. The ideas that we have everything possible means some mature women now carry two bags — a handbag for essentials and a tote for add-ons like a water bottle, a weatherproof hat, mini-umbrella, sneakers or a workbag for a laptop. This is not necessary or even body smart. Many bags now multi-task with a variety of straps that shift from shoulder to cross-body to hand-carry in seconds; have zippered outside pockets or even easy access keychains; and secure compartments and safe sleeves for laptops on the inside. Do you prefer reaching into an open top hobo or tote to grab sunglasses or your phone or do you need to know all your “stuff” is safe behind a zipper or latch-key lock? Make a list of your own priorities. Some smart-bags include the Anthropologie The Love Knot Slouchy Bag in Navy, Chocolate or Black ($98, anthropologie.com) a spacious lightweight hobo with an unexpected snap closure and enclosed zippered pouch; the LC Lauren Conrad Presley Convertible Tote Bag in June Bug or Saddle ($35, kohls.com) a shoulder/crossbody tote with large and small pockets; and the Dagne Dover Daily Tote in Pinto or Onyx ($275, dagnedover.com) vegan leather, work bag with padded laptop sleeve, neoprene water bottle holder and plenty of pockets.

Wild Fable Flap Sling Crossbody Bag in Green (left) or Black (right) ($18)

AARP (Target, 2)

 5. Choose a body-friendly style.

How you carry your bag matters. Most women over 50 now prefer a hands-free style that lets them text, talk on the phone or grab a latte-to-go, walk easily through airports with a carryon and shop in busy malls and supermarkets without worrying about theft. Forget hand-carried bags no matter how great they look. The weight of a bag like a satchel strains the soft tissues and muscles in hands and fingers, can be very uncomfortable — especially if you have any kind of wrist or joint pain, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Some satchels do come with a backup shoulder/crossbody strap but still look way too bulky when worn. Plus, a bag that rides very low on the hips or thighs also increases body width. Crossbody bags, hobos and shoulder bags that sit higher up on the hip and slings that cross the chest and chic backpack keep bag weight distributed more evenly and reduce shoulder strain. Body-friendly bags include the large but not too large Jessica Simpson Women’s Sadie Faux Leather 4 Poster Handbag in Meteorite or Thistle ($34, walmart.com), the organized Wild Fable Flap Sling Crossbody Bag in Green or Black ($18, target.com) and the MZ Wallace Crosby Hobo in Emerald, Magnet or Black Rec ($295, mzwallace.com) with zip closure and two adjustable wide straps — a shoulder and crossbody and a dressier chain. A splurge well worth it!

JW Pei Yulia Faux Leather Bucket Bag in Black ($99)

AARP (Nordstrom, 2)

6. Look for quality at every price.

Hold low-cost bags and expensive bags to the same standards. Pay attention to buyer reviews and any revealing photos, especially the negative ones. Always check for perfect visible stitching with no loose threads; hardware that looks matte or gleamy but never shiny as tinfoil; buckles, magnetic closures, zippers and latches that undo and close easily. Just say no to big-deal designer bags and fakes. The former are crazy-expensive and the latter are cheesy (and illegal!). While department stores and resale/consignment sites indicate luxury bags like those from Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent are booming, the key buyers are women in the 25 to mid-40s age range who buy a recognizable “it” bag to gain confidence and “status.” Women over 50 already have a gutsy attitude — let’s not drop thousands of dollars on a bag. Beauties like the Charles & Keith Cesia Metallic Accent Shoulder Bag in Chocolate ($76, charleskeith.com) the JW Pei Yulia Faux Leather Bucket Bag($99, nordstrom.com) and the MKF Collection Women’s Mabel Shoulder Bag by Mia K in Olive ($71, walmart.com) will have everyone asking you this time “Love your bag! Who makes it?”