I tried commenting a few minutes ago, but am not sure it went through. This post is timely for me! I am in search of a book/laptop bag, and have looked at long strapped styles, but was concerned they would stress my shoulder. It sounds like that will happen. Do you have suggestions for a bag style that is roomy (a must) and healthy?

I have never before weighed my purse, but I did after reading this post! I confess, I do strive for lightness, as well as enough extra room to stow my mini-umbrella hat and mitts/gloves*. I won’t buy bags that are weighty without anything in them, either.

Oh … and my everyday handbag without those items is four pounds.

That makes two of us Wendy. And it sounds like you have a healthy handbag strategy already!

I would assume most women carry around all that crap because they need it…not because they want to. Files, books, and computers can weigh a lot. I commute to the city every day for classes and must have everything on hand for the entire day, but at 105 pounds, following that first rule would be impossible. It’s uncomfortable and sure, it probably IS bad for my back, but I don’t recall ever being given a choice.

This is why I love clutches! They force me to pare down to the essentials and leave the rest in the car or at home.

I think if you have that much stuff to carry…notebooks, books, folders and papers should be carried in a rolling notebook carrier–not a shoulder bag.

I remember traipsing books around when I was at University and it wasn’t very pleasant. In this situation you just don’t have a choice. But when you don’t need to do that anymore, and you aren’t forced to carry a nappy bag full of tricks for infants – you can reduce the contents of your handbag fairly simply.

In regards to people needing to carry all that stuff, rather than just wanting to…I have to say, most ladies I know who have big purses carry around way more than they need. My mother has to clean out her purse every few months because she gathers too much stuff. Generally, things get stuffed into a purse and never quite see the light of day for awhile. Stick with the essentials…phone, wallet, and keys!

those tips are really on point, i worked them out for myself failure by failure! my trouble is with finding non-handbags for work/school/travel.

anyone have any suggestions for lightweight, attractive, and not horribly expensive, totes for school/work? i.e. something you can carry a few books in. leather is heavy, pvc is tacky, fabric is weak, backpacks are ugly, …. i could go on but the only “right” answers are 500+, i.e. totally out of my budget.

I too learnt through trial and error the hard way with my handbags.

How about canvas or microfiber M – very Prada-like.

Angie is right on, m. I carry a Tumi tote, and it has held up to four years of abuse, and still going strong. It is a bit pricy – $150 – for such a plan bag, but it’s amazingly strong and practical, yet attractive.

[...] extremely important to sport a healthy handbag. One way of ensuring this is to carry a simple flat tote that’s no deeper than one to four [...]

[...] Keep it healthy and make the size and shape work for you. A flat tote is the obvious choice, but if you need both [...]

[...] Keep it healthy and make the size and shape work for you. A flat tote is the obvious choice, but if you need both [...]

[...] This might be a personal question, but I’m happy sharing the contents of my handbag. I don’t carry very much because I  change out my handbags often. Sometimes twice a day if I need a clutch at night. This strategy allows me to have many handbags, which is my consolation for being unable to have loads of shoes (fussy feet have small footwear wardrobes). Having an assortment of handbags also allows me to have fun with different looks, and sport a healthy posture. [...]