JW PEI is a Los Angeles label that husband and wife Yang Pei and Stephanie Li launched in 2018, and it has built its name on handbags. The JW PEI bag you see most often is a soft shoulder bag or tote with metal hardware and a vegan leather body.

This edit sorts the range by shape, from roomy totes and structured top handles to shoulder bags, clutches and the newer buckets and crescents, so you can go straight to the one that suits your day.

JW PEI totes are the roomy end of the range, and the Hana is the one I see most. The Hana Medium comes here in brown and in black croc, with the Large Hana for days that need a laptop and the Hana Mini in two colours for when you don't. The Nala is the slouchy one, its wide body pulled in by long ties, and I like it most in the brown suede.

The Linda has cargo pockets on the front, the Ines Padlock styles carry a little lock charm, and the Elora and Maribel bring woven texture. The Ella Structured Tote and the Large Elise close the group as the neatest shapes here, the ones I would carry to an office.

Top-handle JW PEI bags are the more structured corner of the edit. They suit work and dinners, and most also carry a strap for hands-free days. The Elise is the shape I would start with, here in cream, burgundy, black croc, green and a rattan version for summer, while the Carmen, Audrey, Noor and Bria are its softer cousins.

For texture, look at the woven Lucia Classic, the woven Thea and Keyla, the Celeste envelope and the Orla with its twisted gold handle. The Hana Tiny and the Abacus are covered in crystals and work as evening bags, the Brooke Mini adds beaded flowers and the Ione has a leopard on its handle. The Delphine flap in terracotta brown is the cleanest of the lot, and the white Danna is the lightest.

The shoulder bag is where JW PEI is at its most relaxed. These sit under the arm with a soft slouch and a metal detail or two. The Hilary is the boxy one, in brown suede and black, the Aveline and Eloise have a neat frame top, and the Lyra and Aria are the slouchier shapes, each in a smooth and a woven take.

Then there are the fun ones: the Addison dachshund in a striped sweater and the Claire elephant in green. The Carly, Naomi, Lily, Evania, Jayla, Charlene, Yara and Solenne fill in the rest, from a crescent to a flap to an east-west bar.

Clutches, envelopes and small crossbodies take up very little room. They are the JW PEI bags to reach for when you only need a phone, cards and lipstick. The Maisie Shell clutch is the one people ask about, and the Leia's pleated body comes in black and cream.

For something sillier, the Swan crossbody and the Arlene heart bag do the talking, and the Harlee sequin bag is pure party. The Valerie's puffy quilting and chain strap make it the most classic shape here, while the Zaria, Holly, Ellie, Lila and the evening clutch keep things small and simple.

This last group is the newest JW PEI work, and it is where the shapes get softer and more sculptural. The Arla Small Hobo, the woven Lucia Hobo and the faux suede Dara sit in the crook of your arm with very little hardware. The Yara bucket bags are woven and hang from a chain, the Ellie styles have a metal ring handle, and the Abacus minis are a round crescent in faux suede and faux ostrich.

The satchels lean ladylike, from the Alina's belt to the Cleo's quilting and the Maeve's little dachshund charm. The rest are soft shoulder shapes. The Lorena, Ava and Marina slouch the most, while the Nova, Nerina, Rhea, Callie, Mabel and Tessa each add one detail worth a closer look. The small navy Ines Padlock wears more like a mini shoulder bag, so it lives here.

Look at the strap length first. A short strap is what makes a hobo feel neat.

Start with the size you need, then choose between a tote, a top handle and a shoulder bag. A JW PEI bag in a neutral shade works with the most outfits. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Work Totes and Top Handles for the Office and Trader Joe's Inspired Tote Bags.