What is a Purse?

The best purses should be versatile enough to carry your gym kit and daily essentials like keys, wallet, family essentials (if you have kids), phone, sunglasses and more. They should also align just as well with smart tailoring for work or baggy jeans on the weekend. If you’re a fan of designer bags but don’t want to break the bank, there are plenty of high-end options to choose from too. From cute cross-body bags from affordable designer brands to sleek work totes and roomy weekenders, we’ve got the purses that will make your next trip a breeze.

The word purse refers to a small bag that people, especially women, carry with them. In the United States, the terms handbag and purse are used interchangeably, but elsewhere the term purse is more closely associated with the larger bags that can be carried on your shoulder or with a strap, whereas the term handbag can be more broadly applied to any kind of bag.

The purse’s origin is not clear, but it may be related to the Middle English word pusa (“bag, sack, scrip”) or the Old English word burse (“bag, pouch”) from Proto-Germanic *puso (“to swell, stuff”). The latter is cognate with the Dutch brse and Low German pfose. Purse may also refer to a prize, such as money won in a competition. For example, a boxer or jockey who wins a race is often said to have “won a purse.” If you’re looking for the best travel purses to help you stay organized on your next trip, these stylish picks are sure to keep all of your belongings neatly tucked away and secure.