Celeb style: Deepika Padukone
Look wise: Casual comfy chic
Material girl: Leather, faux leather, any other soft "floppy" material
Inspired by: Hobos or vagabonds - who'd hang their meagre belongings in a little cloth and hold it across their shoulder by a stick.
Size it up: The small and medium sizes are great for daily use to college/work, while the large size is even good enough for short trips.
Clutch: Designed to carry the bare minimum with panache, clutch bags are perfect for evening dos and wedding ceremonies. Throw in your must-haves - money, cell phone, keys, credit card(s), lip gloss et al - and you're good to go.
Celeb style: Kareena Kapoor
Look wise: Essential diva
Material girl: Silk, brocade, faux leather, sequinned, beaded
Inspired by: The position in which the clutch is held... hanging on to for dear life.
Size it up: This depends on your definition of "essentials". However, you should be able to comfortably hold your clutch with one hand. If not, it just ain't the style, girl.
Tote: This one's mainly about being fuss-free utilitarian. Double handles are usually placed on either side of an open bag in a stiff material. Traditionally open, styles are also available with zippers running across.
Celeb style: Kiran Rao
Look wise: Simple no-nonsense
Material girl: Thick cloth/canvas, jute, organic recycled fibre or faux leather
Inspired by: The verb "to tote", synonymous with "to carry" that began being associated with bags in the 1900s.
Size it up: Totes are usually large. The kind that lets you carry your world with you.
Backpack: Aka a knapsack, this sporty style is secured across the shoulders with two straps going around the back. Great for travel or for carrying heavy loads.
Celeb style: Priyanka Chopra
Look wise: Sporty sensible
Material girl: (Faux) leather, nylon, cloth, canvas
Inspired by: The means that was used to transport hunter's large prey in a convenient manner.
Size it up: The medium size is great for day treks; a large one's perfect for short trips.
Sling bag: When you know you're going to be dancing the night away, don't leave home without one. Whether you're going clubbing or attending a mehendi ceremony that requires you to go "hands free", sling it on straight or across.
Celeb style: Sonam Kapoor
Look wise: Compact cool
Material girl: (Faux) leather, cloth, canvas, jute
Inspired by: The very word "sling"
Size it up: Depending on what you need; a larger sling, by the way, is called a messenger
