I hate purses! - YouLookFab Forum

The title may be misleading... I don't HATE them, but I cannot find one I LIKE. I'm a minimalist when it comes to carrying a purse. I carry cards, cash, ID; lip balm; a pen, mini tube of Advil, eye drops, and keys. I don't like the huge luggage-sized purses. You don't see men carrying around a 16"x11" tote everywhere! I do have a larger tote I can tuck my small bag into for commuting to work, but I don't carry it anywhere but to my desk and back home.

BUT. I'm 5'10" tall and around 145lbs, roughly a size 8. Ideally I would like to carry a tiny crossbody wallet with a little extra space. (Crossbody so my hands are free). My concern is that those look stupid on someone my size, and I always have a hard time finding a long enough strap so it doesn't look like I'm carrying a child's purse.

My current solution is a Coach zippy wallet, which is a long wallet with a wrist strap. I get tired of it hanging on my wrist (and I'm worried that this style is easily snatched). How have others solved the "I hate purses" dilemma?

9 years ago

Quietgirl

Veteran

Yes, smaller is better. I have been buying the "small" version of whatever I like when it is available. Coach has a big and a small of several styles and this fall, so did JCrew. I don't like big because they weigh too much. I am shorter at 5'7" and I do understand the proportion thing.

Have you tried one of the new backpack bags? There are some great styles and they do keep your hands free

Suz

(website)

Ha! We should trade places. I am on the small side (5'4") and whenever I carry a bag I pretty much have to carry a tote (it is what's practical for my lifestyle & needs). But of course it dwarfs me!

I know some of our members here simply don't carry bags at all. They put things in their pockets.

How about a cool fanny pack like Cocolion recently got:? http://www.shopbop.com/evan-fa.....011187.htm

or http://www.shopbop.com/evan-fa.....437933.htm

Anonymous

I like my Healthy Back Bag:
http://www.ameribag.com/home.php
It comes in various sizes and fabrics. I have a small leather one.

mspcandoit

Active Member

Wow! Suz, I didn't think the words "cool" and "fanny pack" could exist in the same sentence... but those are awesome!!
I'm considering giving a this bag a try too:
http://www.sundancecatalog.com.....38;refType=
The strap appears to be longer, and there's a loop so you can hang it on a belt too.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

Eh, I'm 5'9" and a lot bigger than you, and I carry a small crossbody most of the time. Granted, I prefer the ones that have a convertible strap so that I can wear them as a shoulder bag if hands-free is not mandatory, but I wouldn't avoid them just for proportional reasons.

A small leather backpack bag might be a good option too - they're trending again as quietgirl says.

always trying

I seldom carry a purse at all. Car key, credit card, a bit of cash, and sometimes my cell go in my pockets, everything else stays in the car. When I travel I carry a back pack, have a big case like a large purse when I take my I Pad. No need to carry around all that junk. long ago I found 90% of the time I never took anything else out of the purse, so why tote it around. Of course if I had to take public transportation or something this would not work. Ocasionally I carry a smallish shoulder bag if I am going to need something that doesn't fit in pockets.

Gaylene

Radley, a UK company, makes a perfect small cross body bag--sleek, adult, and comfortable. The leather is gorgeous and the strap, which is also leather, is shaped so the bag hangs nicely on the shoulder. it is available through John Lewis and House of Fraser stores which ship to a host of countries.

http://www.radley.co.uk/pocket.....ody-bag-3/
http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk.....lt,pd.html

I am your twin in size and height! Crazy. I carry a small cross body by Foley & Corinna. It fits the essentials but is small enough to store away in my larger work tote. I am a bit anti- purse lately since I know longer have to carry a nursery, snack shack, and entertainment for the kids 24/7. I know what you mean by feeling a bit out of proportion to your size. I guess I have/ had carried a big bag I like the simplicity of just essentials.

Here is a similar bag to mine
http://www.shopbop.com/cache-c.....orId=12867

bj1111

@Gaylene, a friend in the uk had one of those. it is a mary poppins bag. she stowed a wallet, keys, a windcheater and a fullsized umbrella in that thing. she had space for at least a small child besides. watching her pull stuff out was like a magic show.

thanks for reminding me to look at their stuff.

gradfashionista

I used to love purses, and am quite content with the ones I own. That said, with commuting and traveling, the purse often gets left at home because of the weight and the shoulder pain. I'd recommend something resembling the Mulberry Bayswater clutch, which is like a wallet, has room for a phone, and has a strap that you can tuck away. I don't think you'd find it too small.

Michelle

Member

I have such a hard time with this too! I normally end up carrying a flat card carrier wallet and put everything else in my pockets - which leads to me losing things. Not good!

That said, I don't think a crossbody would look bad. Try a couple on and see how they look. I like mine because it's flat, so I normally end up wearing it under my coat (because I'm weird about having a purse out on buses). I'm only 5'8 but about the same weight.

http://www.zappos.com/fossil-e.....24012154:s

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