Bejewelled clutch bag in the pink corner, minimalist messenger bag in the blue: let battle commence.

There are also single-strap packs that are essentially a hybrid between a backpack and a messenger bag.

After all those rucksacks and messenger bags, here's something more grown-up and formal.

And let's not forget the oversized crocodile leather messenger bags, worn strapped across the body.

Look through a selection of bags today and you are likely to see them referred to as totes, pouches, messenger bags or backpacks.