What style handbag for these circumstances?

[Wafflefudge]

Looking for help please as I'm a bit clueless about this kind of thing.
Most of my time is spent doing sports or walks with rucksacks etc or very casual and I'm guilty of sticking wallet and phone in coat pockets which can look awful.
Obviously sometimes a handbag would be useful. I have a couple that used to be my mums but I feel they are a bit dated now unfortunately.
What style of handbag would you recommend that won't date really quickly as I don't use them often I want it too last and ideally can be used for casual occasions and fancier ones, so something that would go with most things.
Style suggestions and links would be appreciated.
And ideas of cheaper shops that are still nice would be ideal.

Tk max is your friend.

What about a backpack style handbag so you have your hands free?

I have one from miatui which is not to everyone's taste it's not very trendy but it's exceedingly practical and I'm too old to care. It was around £40 in a sale.

Cheaper meaning cheaper than what - I think ppl will need a rough idea as to yr budget OP.

What sort of size?

@JanglyBeads specific examples are less important really, mostly it's style recommendations im after.
High Street prices I guess, not hundreds as I really won't use it very often.

Not fussed on size big or small but would need to accommodate minimum of wallet, keys and mobile.

A camera bag would fit that brief.

Also I suggest you buy leather (unless that’s against your ethics) as that will last a lifetime with good care and cheaper bags can look very tatty very quickly - better to pay a little bit more and only have to buy one.

What about a satchel style? I have a black radley one that I use for nights out as pretty smart, and a brown mulberry Antony that I've had for years and basically comes everywhere with me

Oh, I’d missed the part about casual and dressy occasions.

That’s not an easy thing to do. I’d probably get your handbag to use for casual days, then look on eBay or in charity shops for an evening bag/clutch. That way you’ve got both covered and you’ve only spent a little on the occasion bag.

Yes satchel would work nicely too. And if you get a small, more structured style it might just work for evenings and occasions as well.

www.marksandspencer.com/faux-leather-cross-body-bag/p/clp60489426?color=TAN&prevPage=srp

I’ve got this that I think can work for both. The metal work on it makes it a little more dressy.

I think a camera bag is a good suggestion, they are the best style if you aren’t used to bags. You wear them cross body and they are at a convenient length to getting to your wallet and phone. Go for a softish leather otherwise they can feel a bit in the way.

A cross body bag works well for casual. I have a tan leather one for every day.
For more formal a proper leather bag in black say for work, meetings etc (M&S is great for this)
And an evening bag/clutch

I suppose a camera bag could just about work for occasions too.

For a bag to look right for occasion wear it needs to be small-ish so bear that in mind. Also bear in mind colouring - make sure you pick a colour that is right for your daily wardrobe so for example if you dress very casual black can sometimes look too harsh (depending on what colours you wear) and tan would be better. But tan doesn’t always work for dressy occasions (again, depending on what you wear and what colours you like).

I really like this
www.monsoon.co.uk/metallic-leather-camera-bag-4523081200.html?epik=dj0yJnU9WUZaUHQ5OVlSTjFLaG1YMFROc0x3QjJLU1FORWxIcnMmcD0wJm49WkE0NTE2Qm55RktBejlnTnEwSWlZUSZ0PUFBQUFBR01ZcTY4

Also there’s no need to go for black or tan - those are just the two that most people who don’t use a lot of bags would tend to go for.

Navy, khaki, grey, greige/taupe, burgundy also make great neutral colours (again, depends on what colours you tend to wear - these are the colours that go well with my wardrobe and my colouring).

Sorry think I've possibly confused things when I've said fancier, I don't mean for weddings or anything but more for going out for a evening meal somewhere nice.

And thank you very much for suggestions and info much appreciated.
I like the camera bag suggestion but wasn't sure if it was a style that would still work in 5 years time, I got the impression it was very stylish right now so might fall out of favour, but like I said I am not very handbag savvy!

I would go for a camera bag for casual, Amazon have some leather ones for about £30 and some have free returns if it's not suitable.
I got a leather pouch that I used on holiday in the evening it had a wrist strap and held the essentials.

Crossbody camera bag style. Some of them even come with different straps, eg a leather or webbing strap for everyday, and a chain to dress it up.

Camera bag is a classic style - it might be trendy now but even if it does go out of fashion in that sense it will always look right and good.

For an evening meal it would work just fine and as pp said if you buy two or three different straps you can change the look and feel of the bag quite markedly. One leather strap, one canvas strap and one chain strap would fit whatever occasion you might need it for.

I think you need two tbh - a bigger everyday one and a smaller evening one. These are mine:
www.longchamp.com/gb/en/products/top-handle-bag-m-L1623089001.html Day]]

Night

They serve me very well. Although I also have others, these are the ones I use the most.

This is a nice idea. Have you seen anywhere that offers this?

Have a look at Oliver Bonas, they do nice bags and for some styles you can buy different straps which could be an easier way of dressing it up or down.

I've also just ordered a bag from FatFace that hopefully coverts between rucksack and crossbody style.