Handbag and Luggage Glossary

Billfold a flat wallet with a clip or slip-in compartment, which holds bills.

Box rigid bag shaped purse, square or rectangle in shape, with a variety metal, bone, shell or wooden handle.

Bucket roomy bag shaped like a bucket, usually has an open top and shoulder strap.

Burlap a coarsely textured material used to make casual bags such as school bags, backpacks and satchels.

Calfskin leather made from the hide of young cattle. Calfskin has a soft, smooth texture which makes it desirable for making fine handbags.

Camera bag an adaptation of bags used to carry photographic equipment. Todays camera bags are rectangular with many additional zippered outside compartments.

Canteen bag a round, stiff bag that resembles a travelers water flask. Canteen bags typically have a shoulder strap.

Canvas a durable, somewhat water resistant material that is popular in backpacks and school bags.

Card case a hard case typically the perfect size and shape to hold business cards.

Carpet bag a large satchel-like bag, typically used for carry-on luggage and made out of carpet fabric.

Change purse a small purse just large enough to hold loose change. Maybe attached to a handbag; closes with a zipper, clasp or snap.

Clutch a bag with no handles that must be carried clasped in one hand or under the arm.

Convertible bag a bag with a handle that can be tucked or folded inside, in order to turn it into a clutch.

Cosmetic case bags of varying sizes and shapes with a zip closure lined to hold cosmetics.

Cotton various prints and textures are used to make novelty handbags, book bags, cosmetic bags, etc.

Cowhide leather made from adult cattle.

Drawstring a soft bag with a gathered drawstring closure. The drawstring, once synched, may form into purse straps or have a separate strap.

Duffel typically a bag that is long, horizontal and cylinder in shape with short handles.

Envelope a flat, square or rectangular bag with a triangle-shaped top flap that folds over like an envelope.

Feed bag a drawstring bag, usually with a shoulder strap, shaped like a horses feed bag; also referred to as a bucket bag.

Fishing creel a woven basket with a flap top and shoulder strap; originally carried by fly fishermen to keep their catch fresh.

Flight bag used by passengers and crew to carry on belongings aboard a plane, often has a flight insignia and used rather then a tote bag.

Glazed leather has a polished finish but not quite as high gloss as patent leather.

Half moon bag any bag shaped like a half moon, with or without a handle of various sizes.

Hobo bag a soft, large bag that has a zip top and shoulder strap. Tends to crunch down when carried or laid down.

Kip also called steer hide, is a type of leather taken from older cattle, not as supple as calfskin.

Needlepoint has a tapestry appearance and has a heavy, ornamental fabric used to make knitting bags and carpetbags.

Minaudiere a small evening bag embezzled with pieces of metal, semi precious stones or beads and covered with fabric or leather.

Muff a winter bag made of real of faux fur, wool or velvet that has zippered compartments and a slip opening for your hands.

Patent leather an extremely high gloss type of leather finish.

Pouch a gathered or straight bag evening bag.

Peau de soie a dull type of satin used to make evening bags.

Reptile skins from snakes, turtles and lizards used to make handbags. Reptile is distinguishable by its scaly pattern and texture. Many laws protect endangered reptiles whose skins are used to make illegal bags.

Safari a soft leather bag with a curved shape, a top zipper, two top straps or handles, and two outside pockets with flaps and buckle closures.

Satchel a bag with a wide, flat bottom, zippered or clasped top, two handles or straps. The satchel style was inspired by a piece of luggage and can be various sizes such as the doctors bag.

School bag a roomy bag with a snap, clasp or buckle top flap and one wide shoulder strap; often a thicker variation of the envelope bag.

Sheep or lambskin light, fine grain leather used to make imported bags.

Shoulder bag any bag with a shoulder strap.

Silk used for elegant evening bags, sometimes beading is incorporated.

Straw hand woven willow or rattan used to make summer bags and picnic baskets.

Suede a treatment applied to the flesh side of a skin to produce a napped, velvet-like finish.

Swagger a roomy, framed bag with two straps or handles, open outside pockets and a zippered or clasped open top.

Tote a bag inspired by a shopping bag, which is sturdy and rectangular with an open top and two strap handles. The inside may have zip compartments.

Quilted bag is quilted in texture and typically has a chain strap or handle.

Velvet a rich, lustrous fabric used for evening bags.

Wallet hard or soft, with zippers or snaps, has compartments for coins, bills, credit cards, etc.