Holiday Gift Guide 2016, category is: Bags

Impact

We've started our 25 days of holiday gift guides (that's right, one a day, from here until Christmas) with the heaviest of heavy hitters: bags. 

Here's the thing: If you're committed to getting that special someone a handbag for the holidays, go for it. We totally support this decision. But you'll have to surrender to higher prices. A good bag is sturdy, well-stitched and made from quality materials. In layman's terms, it's not cheap. But with the right buy, you can gift a bag that will last for years and be much appreciated.

Every one of our bag choices this year is bold, but has practicality to it. Yes, a metallic diamond-shaped bag will have you sticking out while strolling the cereal aisle. But that same beauty may catch the eye of your next fashionable friend. See, practical. Thank us in 2017. 

So below, check out 10 of our favorite bags for the holidays.

Carhartt WIP Watch Sport Bag, $85

Carhartt

This lined and water-repellent bag is great for the gym or weekend travel. It comes in six different colorways allowing you to shop the style that best fits the person being gifted. Our personal favorite is chianti — this wine colored bag.

Cuyana Mini Bucket Bag, $225

Cuyana

Speaking of wine-colored bags, this drawstring bucket purse from Cuyana is a great option for the sophisticated. Made in Italy from textured Saffiano leather, the straps are adjustable to comfort.

Hydrogen Military Backpack, $430

Hydrogen

Limena, Italy-based clothing company Hydrogen paired smooth leather and canvas camouflage to make this lightweight backpack. For those monochromatic single-colored outfit days, this pieces is the perfect bold accent.

Rebecca Minkoff Velvet Love Crossbody, $275

Rebecca Minkoff

If you're new to Rebecca Minkoff, this classic crossbody is a great introduction. In crush blue velvet — because what other color would you get — the "Love" bag can be worn with its gold chain or without as a clutch.

Herschel Settlement backpack, $139.99

Herschel Supply

Honestly, you can't go wrong with any Herschel bag. It's one of those brands that any and everyone appreciates for its tough exterior (waterproof material and tight stitching) and functional interior (laptop sleeve and headphone ports). Add a little jazz this season by going with this all-American denim option.

Vavvoune Za Drawstring in pewter metallic, $310

Vavvoune

We love a sustainable brand and this Brooklyn-based one is a favorite. Not only are all of Haitian-American designer, Valérie Blaise's purses handmade in the city that never sleeps this leather bag in particular has lining and an exterior pocket with a zipper to keep your treasures safe and sound.

Maude Diamond Bag, $111

Maude Studio

Like a moth to the flame, we literally cannot stop staring at this Australian-made bag. Its cool-girl iridescent exterior in blue-green is lined with a thin cotton fabric. We're also loving its thick gold chain strap and diamond shape.

Aaks Pina Pink, $169

Aaks

Ghanaian designer, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi launched her raffia handbag line in 2014 and has blown up ever since. Currently sold internationally — in NYC, London and Accra — these vibrant purses have so much personality they need no gassing up. Just shop.

Mansur Gavriel Mini Mini Sun Bag, $395

Mansur Gavriel Mini Mini Sun Bag

For the friend who's regularly serving Jackie Onassis, this patent calf leather purse is a perfect option. It's the sweetest bag on this list, but doesn't have to be paired with your grandmother's St. John tweed suit. We promise.

Shagbagg Shagpack Fanny Pack — citron, $122.40

Shagbagg

OK, admit it. There definitely have been moments when you reached into your purse for something and got lost in the abyss of gum packets, tissues and tampons. 

Make life easier for yourself, or your mom-purse friend, with this fuego fanny pack that's petite enough to hold all your essentials in an organized fashion.