Best Handbags of 2016

First, let me be very clear about something. Handbags are awesome "every" year. With that said, this consumer guide is regarding 2016, so it discusses top handbags that were designed or available for sale at some point during 2016 — eight of them, from seven designer houses and one American leather-goods name, all carried by the great department stores.

The shape of the year is small and structured. Crossbody bags lead the list — the Lockett XB, the Mini Drew and the Small Gowan all wear across the body — while the satchels (the Sac de Jour and the Lotty) keep the classic carry alive, and a striped bucket bag closes the list on a lighter note. Studs are everywhere: on the Saint Laurent satchel, all over the Coach Edie, and riveted down the sides of the Jimmy Choo.

Lockett XB and the Metallic Edge City Mini

The Jimmy Choo Lockett XB — shown in moss, natural and spice graphic exotic patchwork — has a relaxed yet structured look built around an exclusive push lock closure with a unique mechanism ensuring the bag remains securely closed. The face of the lock is coated in dark midnight blue enamel, offset with rich gold accent detailing; the sides and base are fastened to the body with bold round riveted studs, and a rounded flap with cut-out detailing emphasizes the lock. Inside there is one main compartment with an internal flying zipped pocket; the adjustable strap wears the bag across the body or on the shoulder. Made in Italy, it measures L22 x H20 x W8 cm.

The Balenciaga Metallic Edge City Mini Bag in taupe, available at Neiman Marcus, pairs leather-trimmed, check-print canvas with metal-edged nickel hardware, including stud and buckle detail, tote handles with a 4-inch drop, and an adjustable, removable crossbody strap with a 20.1-inch drop. The Balenciaga bag carries a long house history with it: Cristobal Balenciaga founded his house of haute couture in 1919 in San Sebastian, Spain, Paris became home to the couturier by 1937, the house launched its first perfume in 1946, and by 2016 the couture pieces were under the guidance of Creative Director Alexander Wang.

Mini Drew and the Studded Sac de Jour

Chloé's 'Mini Drew' Crossbody Bag, at Nordstrom, is the epitome of relaxed modernity: a compact saddle-bag silhouette, a squared-off flap and tiny perforations, in smooth calfskin leather in a creamy hue with a jewelry-like chain-link strap. It is built to energize casual day ensembles and add a touch of edge to evening wear — the smallest, softest bag on this list.

At the opposite pole sits the Saint Laurent Sac de Jour Studded Leather Satchel Bag in black, at Neiman Marcus: bandana-studded calf leather, rolled top handles, a flat shoulder strap, and a padlock detail hanging from the handle base. Yves Saint Laurent, founded in 1961, was the first couture house to introduce luxury prêt-à-porter, in a 1966 collection called "Rive Gauche"; the PPR Group's luxury division acquired the house in 1999, and under Hedi Slimane's creative direction from March 2012 it stood at the summit of the luxury universe, its collections spanning ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags, small leather goods, jewelry, scarves, ties and eyewear.

Coach Edie and Burberry's Small Gowan

The Coach Outline Studs and Grommets Edie Shoulder Bag 31 in Leather, at Bloomingdales, gives the top-selling Edie a downtown edge: soft pebble leather with dramatic rows of pointed studs and industrial grommets, over an ultra-functional three-compartment interior that keeps essentials elegantly organized. It is the list's hardest-working shoulder bag — decoration and organization in the same design.

Burberry's 'Small Gowan' Crossbody Bag, also at Nordstrom, is timeless Burberry sophistication in a perfectly proportioned crossbody: crisp checks, gleaming goldtone hardware and richly grained leather trim. Where the Edie shouts, the Gowan whispers — the check does the branding, and the proportion does the rest.

Lotty Satchel and the Proenza Schouler Bucket Bag

The Salvatore Ferragamo Satchel — the Lotty Medium, at Bloomingdale's — is gorgeously textured leather, gleaming gold-tone accents and a seriously sophisticated silhouette: a convertible satchel described, fairly, as a carry-forever classic. It is the most traditional bag on the list, and the one least tied to a single season.

The list closes with the Proenza Schouler 'Medium' Bucket Bag at Nordstrom: playful and light yet sophisticated, striped and shaped from smooth leather, textured snakeskin and a canvas weave, with a long, adjustable shoulder strap and a roomy interior that holds everything needed for the day. We may be adding more glorious handbags to this page in the near future — no promises, but it is possible. If you are not interested only in 2016 collections, you may also enjoy the handbags blog posts on the fashion blog.

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