Most Versatile Purse Color

Most of my clients have no interest in multiple options for their everyday purse so they want to know what color purse goes with everything. I get it. The changing of the guard is a hassle and most women carry the same bag everyday for about a year before switching it up. With this year-round goal in mind, I also get asked, “what is the best handbag color for all seasons.”

Professionally, I am with them. I have one chic backpack I carry to all my personal styling sessions. This is my everyday bag – Monday thru Friday – that I never change, no matter the season, so I did extensive research on the most versatile purse color to ensure I look put together each day. Spoiler alert, there is no purse color that goes with everything, but there is a purse color that can go with almost everything. In my research, I discovered that the most versatile purse color is either a pinky taupe or an off-white. Scroll down if you are ready to shop, but for those who want a little more detail on the best everyday purse color, let’s get into it…

Most Versatile Purse Color For Your Everyday Bag

As I already mentioned, the #1 most versatile purse color is either an off-white/cream or a pinky taupe (you could also call it a dusty pink, blush beige, or earthy pink). But keep in mind, the most versatile purse color for your wardrobe could be different. The color purse that goes with “everything” in your wardrobe may be different from someone who wears a different color palette. People often think that black is a versatile purse color, but a black purse is one of the least versatile purse colors for your everyday bag. Even if you wear black all the time, a black purse is not great. It is too much black in one outfit. A chocolate brown purse is out too. It only works with a fully earth-tone wardrobe of tan, forest green, and cream. With that in mind, here is the full list of the most versatile purse colors for your everyday bag with all the various color palettes in mind:

1. Blush Beige or Pinky Taupe (If you don’t wear much black)
2. Off-white (If you don’t wear crisp white)
3. Mauve (If you have an earthier-colored wardrobe)
4. Dove Grey (If you have a neutral-colored wardrobe)
5. Tan (If you have a darker-colored wardrobe or wear a lot of navy)
6. Light Blue (If you have a lighter-colored wardrobe)
7. Burgundy/Merlot (If you have a darker-colored wardrobe)
8. Deep Emerald Green (If you have a bright or dark-colored wardrobe)

What Is The Most Versatile Purse Color For You?

I gave you a few quick tips above for which wardrobes work best with each of the most versatile purse colors, but let’s elaborate further. Here are the exceptions to some of the everyday purse colors listed above . . .

1. A bright-colored or pastel wardrobe does not complement an earthy, muted-colored bag. It makes the bag look dirty.
2. A muted-colored wardrobe does not complement a bright-colored bag. It makes the clothing look dirty.
3. If you wear a little bit of black every day (ie: black shoes or black is in all the prints you wear), then a black purse is definitely the most versatile purse color for you.
4. If your wardrobe is based around navy keep in mind that navy is rarely the same color. Pairing a navy dress with a navy purse can often fail because the colors are close, but no cigar. Instead, go for a tan or grey bag.

When in doubt, get a purse color that matches your go-to shoe tone — this is classic advice. If you are wearing lighter-colored shoes, like off-white and nude, go with a blush or off-white purse. If you are wearing mostly darker-colored shoes, like black, go with a merlot or burgundy purse.

Need a little more help? I am a professional personal stylist. Feel free to comment below if you still have questions about what color purse goes with everything in your particular wardrobe and I will reply to your comment within a week. This is especially helpful for those seeking an everyday designer bag. You may want some assistance before you invest. 

The Five Versatile Purse Colors You Need

In my personal life, I am happy to change up my handbag, but I don’t need to go crazy. So for my looks outside of my everyday bag for work, I have a series of the perfect-sized crossbody bags in the five essential purse colors. These five purse colors go with everything I own. If you own these five purse colors, you are set.

1. Pinky beige/blush
2. Off-white/cream
3. Tan
4. Navy
5. Black

These five everyday handbags hang by my door (each on its own gold hook) to ensure an easy transition between bags. Each bag has its own hand sanitizer, tissues, and my favorite lip balm. This way the only thing I need to switch between the bags is my small wallet and cell phone. I keep all my various sunglasses in a drawer near the front door to deposit into whichever bag has been chosen for the day. For those wondering, I store my collection of formal clutches and less versatile handbags on shelves in my closet.

What Is The Most Versatile Hardware For Your Purse?

When deciding on your everyday bag, keep in mind which jewelry tones you prefer. If you primarily wear silver, a purse with gold hardware will clash with most of your looks. It’s best if your purse has no hardware, but that can be difficult to find. If you must have metal embellishments, choose the metal you usually wear. If you’re wearing both gold and silver, like myself, a champagne or muted metal is the best choice. It is subtle so it can pair with rose gold, silver, and gold without issue.

What Is The Most Versatile Shape For Your Purse?

If you wear a lot of structured garments, a structured purse will suit you best. If you’re wearing more slouchy, bohemian looks, a structured purse will look stiff — or stolen. I tend to go for structured bags for my everyday work purse, and leave the softer bags for my days off. A happy medium is a crossbody camera bag as it is both structured and casual — these bags truly go with everything.

Last Bit of Versatile Purse Color Tips

Due to the virality of this post, we update it regularly. Bookmark this page so you can revisit it every time you add a new bag to your wardrobe. But! Maybe a new bag is not the answer…

Do you have a beloved bag that still feels fresh and modern, but it has become worn or damaged? It can be fixed. Take your broken bag to a well-rated bag repair specialist to have it restored. I just had my favorite, but haggard, 7-year-old blush camera bag refreshed at Gilbert’s Shoe Repair in San Diego. There are also bag restoration companies that accept clients across the country. I recently discovered Leather Surgeons based in New Jersey. Bag repair is expensive, but it is worth it for a versatile purse you will continue to use daily.

Victoria Beckham Victoria Crossbody Bag In Taupe Leather

Available at Farfetch and Victoria Beckham.

Mark & Graham The Essential Crossbody Everyday Bag

Everyone is loving this versatile crossbody purse! It comes in the #1 most versatile purse color of blush as well as several other versatile colors including tan, navy, and black.

Gabriela Hearst Demi Lamb Leather Clutch Bag

Available at Mytheresa and Bergdorf Goodman.

Calpak Haven Laptop Tote Bag for Everyday

This tote bag is available at Calpak.

Bottega Veneta Loop Mini Intrecciato Leather Shoulder Bag

Cuyana Concertina Shoulder Bag

Mansur Gavriel Moon Sling Leather Crossbody Bag

Available at Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Shopbop, and Farfetch.

STAUD Valerie Shoulder Bag

Available at Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Shopbop.

A.L.C. Enzo Clutch Bag

Longchamp Le Foulonné Small Zip Leather Crossbody

Available at Bloomingdale’s, Farfetch, and Longchamp.

Cuyana Double Loop Bag

Available at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Available at Nordstrom.

Kate Spade Knott Large Shoulder Bag

This purse is available at Neiman Marcus.

Tory Burch Mercer Pebbled Zip Crossbody Bag

This purse is available at Nordstrom, Amazon and Shopbop.

Kate Spade Bleecker Small Crossbody

Available at Dillard’s, Nordstrom, Zappos, and Amazon.

Jacquemus Le Petit Calino Leather Tote Bag

Available at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Mytheresa, FWRD, and Farfetch.

Cuyana Concertina Phone Bag

Loewe Flamenco Mini Clutch Bag in Napa Leather

Available at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, and Harrods.

AllSaints ‘Kita’ Leather Shoulder/Crossbody Bag

This purse is available at Nordstrom Rack.

Mark & Graham Elisabetta Slouch Everyday Purse

This purse is available at Mark & Graham.

Saint Laurent Shopping Leather Tote Bag

This bag is available at Saint Laurent and preowned at Fashionphile.

Tory Burch Kira Small Pebbled Leather Top-Zip Crossbody

This purse is available at Zappos and Nordstrom.

Mansur Gavriel Mini Cloud Leather Clutch

This purse is available at Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom.

Calpak Kaya Faux Leather Laptop Backpack

Métier London Perriand Medium Cabas Handbag

This handbag is available at Métier London.

Chloé ’Medium Marcie’ Leather Satchel – Everyday Designer Bag

This purse is available at Nordstrom and preowned at Fashionphile.

Parisa Wang Baguette Belt Bag

This belt bag, or fancy fanny pack as I like to say, is available at Parisa Wang.  

Rebecca Minkoff Darren Top Zip Leather Crossbody Bag

This purse is available at Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus.

Bottega Veneta Loop Intrecciato Leather Crossbody Bag

This purse is available at Bergdorf Goodman.

Coach Jamie Camera Bag

This purse is available at Coach.

J. Crew Bembien® Carmen Bag

This purse is available at J. Crew.

Tory Burch Kira Pebbled Leather Wallet Crossbody Bag

Saint Laurent Lou Matelassé Leather Camera Bag

This bag is available pre-owned at Fashionphile.

Cuyana Leather Backpack

Kate Spade Knott Large Tote Bag

This tote bag is available at Dillard’s.

Tory Burch McGraw Leather Camera Bag

This purse is available at Tory Burch, and Nordstrom.

Saint Laurent Lou Camera Leather Crossbody Everyday Designer Bag

This purse is available at Bloomingdale’s and gently used at Fashionphile.

Most Versatile Purse Colors From Years Past

I originally wrote this post on the most versatile purse color years ago and update it regularly due to its popularity. I’ve left these photos below for nostalgic purposes. Whenever I update older posts, I love to hold on to a collection of images as a bit of a time capsule so we can watch how our style evolves. Some colors I don’t feel are as versatile. Others are simply sold out now.

Kate Spade Rosie Medium Shoulder Bag

Available at Kate Spade.

Bottega Veneta The Pouch Small Gathered Versatile Leather Clutch

This clutch is available at Net-A-Porter and gently used at Fashionphile.

Kate Spade Knott Medium Top-handle Bag

Available at Kate Spade.

Kate Spade Knott Flap Crossbody

Available at Kate Spade.

Cuyana 13-inch Messenger Everyday Bag

Chloé Mini Marcie Leather Crossbody Bag

This crossbody purse is available at Nordstrom.

Teddy Blake Kate Stampato 12″

This purse is available at Nordstrom and Macy’s.

Saint Laurent Toy North/South Leather Tote Bag

This purse is available at YSL.

Longchamp Medium Roseau Leather Everyday Bag

This purse is available at Longchamp.

Longchamp Roseau Leather Shoulder Tote Bag

This shoulder bag is available at Longchamp.

AllSaints Small Kita Convertible Leather Backpack

Coach Shay Everyday Purse

Tory Burch Robinson Leather Tote Bag

Kate Spade New York Large Margaux Leather Satchel

Bottega Veneta Cassette Intrecciato Everyday Designer Bag

If you’re going to splurge on a designer handbag, you might as well make sure it’s in the most versatile purse color for your wardrobe. This Bottega Veneta crossbody purse comes in several different colors and is available at Nordstrom and Fashionphile.

Kate Spade New York ‘Cameron Street Lucie’ Tote Bag

AllSaints ‘Kita’ Leather Shoulder/Crossbody Bag