This glossary is part two of a collection of handbag related terms. It is intended to help fashion accessory retailers and wholesalers to better understand what they are ordering from catalogs, read about online, and the information they need to communicate to their customers. Familiarity with handbag terms will also help buyers avoid misleading claims and cut down on time spent on the phone with sales reps.

Be sure to read the first installment covering letters A-J at the Top Ten Wholesale Buyers Guide and look for more wholesale buyers glossaries coming soon.

Kelly Bag - A handbag style associated with screen Grace Kelly and made popular by her. It is hard-sided handbag with a triangular profile and metal latch top with one carrying handle. It is a sophisticated style perfect for elegant occasions.

Knock Off – A generic term for handbags and other merchandise that duplicates the style of a famous designer brand name. Some knockoffs are legitimately licensed reproductions while others are simply forgeries passed off as the original. Retailers carrying knockoff designs should be absolutely certain of the legal status of the product in order to avoid defrauding their customers and possibly getting into legal troubles.

Lame’ - A shiny fabric woven with metallic as well as traditional threads. Lame gives handbags a glamorous look that is perfect for nights on the town and other occasions calling for a touch of the exotic.

Leatherette - A synthetic material with a look very much like genuine leather. It is durable and inexpensive making it a very popular material for less expensive handbags.

Messenger Bag - A large handbag with a long shoulder strap. It is worn across the shoulders and has a large flap at the front. Based on the bag once used to carry documents and the like.

North-South – A term to describe a handbag that is longer than it is wide.

Nubuck- A form of imitation leather that combines genuine leather with synthetic materials. In appearance and durability it is generally superior to leatherette.

Ostrich - Leather made from the hides of ostriches. It durable and has a distinct “pimpled” texture. In recent years the price of ostrich leather has gone down due to extensive ostrich ranching.

Patent Leather - A high gloss finish on leather. Is sometimes used to describe very shiny faux leather but properly applies to genuine leather only.

Pinking – A zigzag shaped trim cut into leather or cloth to provide a decorative edge to a handbag or other item.

Piping - A trim along exterior edges of handbags usually constructed from a synthetic material. It helps to keep the exterior shape of a handbag and protects the stitching.

Safari Bag – A large soft bag with a curved shape. Normally safari bags will have several compartments and close securely with a drawstring or latch.

Shoulder Bag- Any handbag that has a long strap and is intended to be worn over the shoulder. Shoulder bags are popular when moving in crowded public places as the strap can be worn across the body to thwart purse-snatchers.

Sling Bag - A shoulder bag that has one end of the shoulder strap attached to the top of the bag, and the other end attached to the bottom of the bag. Useful for carry large, heavy items and is similar to a backpack.

Top Handle Bag - A style of handbag that has a small handle located at the top. An often attractive but not very practical handbag as it cannot be carried over the shoulder and must be held by the hand.

Valise- A largish handbag that closes at the top, has two top carrying handles, and is durably built. A valise often serves as luggage for overnight trips or as a make up case.

Wrist Strap - A thin strap or cord attached to a small handbag or wallet so it can be carried on the wrist. Sometimes called a circle strap.

Zipper Top - A handbag that closes at the top with a zipper. The term is also applied to compartments within a purse.

Art Micklewraith is a freelance writer and regular contributor to Top Ten Wholesale. He can be reached at Content and Solutions or by email at artmicklewraith@gmail.com.