This guest post is by Shannon Ables, founder & editor of The Simply Luxurious Life blog.

A woman’s bag can be her signature piece, her statement, her opportunity to express a small piece of herself without going overboard. Throughout a typical week, there can be a handful of situations when a different purse is best-suited. Below I have chosen five different styles of purses to fit almost any occasion a woman might have to navigate on any given week. Take a look.

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Work

Five days out of the week, sometimes more, sometimes a bit less, a woman is expected to be pulled together, professional and stylish all at the same time. So it only seems fitting that the purse a woman carries with her be multi-functional as well. Between her smart phone, Chanel Coco Rouge lipstick, business cards, wallet, a small handful of almonds and perhaps the most recently released and highly-praised title on the New York Times Best Sellers’ list, quite a bit is expected of the purse a woman takes to work with her.

A structured satchel or tote, such as the above Ashton Oversized Satchel ($40.76), provides enough space for more than a handful of necessities while still exuding the style and professionalism that is needed on a daily basis. Whether neutral colors are preferred or a magnificent emerald, ruby or plum to add the special element which seems to pull the entire wardrobe together, be sure to always have a go-to bag for work that eliminates the guess work. Mornings can be harried enough without having to stop and decide which tote to grab.

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Day With The Kids

Speaking of totes, if your responsibilities call for looking out for the well-being of children, whether staying home or traveling, carpooling or transporting, the necessary bag is an oversized tote. The beauty of a tote is that it allows you to toss whatever may be of importance on any given day inside of it and still appear pulled together.

With the fall’s trend of animal prints, this Classic Zebra Print Shopper ($38.21) is not only in vogue, but ready for wear and multiple uses. Toss shoes, diapers, food anything else that is necessary, knowing passersby will notice the stylish facade instead of the chaos within.

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Cocktails

Like a breath of fresh air, the weekend has arrived and with it plans to head out on the town with your significant other or a good friend. With minimal fuss, and at the same time bringing a dash of color to your ensemble, a clutch is the necessary ingredient for tucking away your favorite lip gloss, cash, cell phone and breath mints. Nothing encumbering, a clutch allows you to bring along what you need without getting in the way of the focus of the evening.

Whether a faux snakeskin, patent leather or a touch of sparkle, this seemingly minor accessory is just enough to polish off your look. Alex Wristlet Clutch ($25.46) & Katie Patent Clutch - $33.11.

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Travel

The opportunity to travel can be made much more enjoyable if you are able to bring with you the items that will help create the most comfortable environment – a book, magazines, water, i-Pod, make-up for touch-ups and a quick snack, just to name of a few. The type of purse to gravitate towards should be malleable, oversized and sturdy.

The Caroline City Bag - $41.61 is an example of the necessary space needed to make your trip a pleasurable experience. Simply tie a scarf around one of the handles and you will be presenting yourself with the confidence you desire.

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Brunch

Sunday tends to be the day to relax and possibly catch up with a few close girlfriends. A casually nice outfit is typically chosen and a fun wedge or a beautiful ballet flat, but what to do about the choice of bag? The perfect envelope clutch is a simple way to not only have just enough room for your necessities, but also to take with you if you decide to do a bit of window shopping afterwards.

A smashing accessory that again pulls it all together might be found for example with the Chelsea Envelope Clutch ($33.11 seen above) – fun, and most certainly eye-catching and functional.

So, no matter what your busy schedule calls for, rest assured that your choice of purse is only a simple click away. Happy shopping.

Images: All bags, clutches, purses can be found on Handbag Heaven (1) Hawtvintage (2) Blanche DuBois (3) Icons: Glamour France (4) ashley said that on(5) Don’t Let Dreams Be Dreams (6) VPS Vogue Blog

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