YouLookFab Forum » Topic: What’s in your purse?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: What’s in your purse? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 15 May 2026 20:52:43 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Anonymous on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse/page/2#post-1902118 Wed, 28 Mar 2018 00:47:02 +0000 Anonymous 1902118@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My husband says my car is a purse on wheels so I understand completely Jessikams- lol Jessikams on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse/page/2#post-1902108 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 23:57:43 +0000 Jessikams 1902108@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think bag size totally depends on how you get around. If you drive, your car is your purse— sunglasses case, extra jacket, any packages you pick up during the day can live in the car. This your actual handbag can be small. If you use public transport you need more space and more stuff in your bag because it’s your life support for 10-12 hours a day. This is how it works for me, anyway, depending on where I’m living. NixBeautySecrets on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse/page/2#post-1902081 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 21:32:40 +0000 NixBeautySecrets 1902081@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I carry so much junk in my purse, I had to give it a break. My left shoulder is killing me lol. I ended up buying a phone case with a wallet on it. I haven't used my purse in 3 wks. lol Anonymous on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse/page/2#post-1902069 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 20:51:33 +0000 Anonymous 1902069@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You ladies crack me up! Katerina- I understand totally about the organizer not working-could not believe it worked against me too- but what- no scarf? LOL Cardiff girl- my daughter refers to my bag as the Mary Poppins bag- but of course if she needs something other than phone cc or gloss- guess who has it? BTW-I love Julie Andrews- love her movies and great autobiography too! Cindy- thank you.... it’s nice to know someone has more in their bag than me- close...but you have me beat. Ginger- matches for burn tests -that’s one step beyond tape measure even for those of us sewing and yarn fans. Too funny Thanks to all for suggestions, support and for letting me know I am so not alone. You are just terrific cindysmith on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse/page/2#post-1901973 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 16:10:34 +0000 cindysmith 1901973@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ginger, I once found an unopened package of poptarts of an indeterminate age in my bag. I ate them the moment I found them. I was very hungry. Ginger on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse/page/2#post-1901966 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:48:02 +0000 Ginger 1901966@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Cindy you made me laugh!!! I definitely leave extra meds in my bag too long.  It's definitely eye-opening to see what's still in there when I haven't really checked for a month or two. The lighter... maybe you were going to burn test fabric? I used to have matches with me just for that. But the 3 tubes of lotion are the funniest to me. I hate being without it - but that's 2 too many! It will definitely add to the weight. I've had some extra-smushed protein bars in there sometimes. And further petrified jerky.  Sometimes the bag itself is a weight culprit. My leather one is awesome but definitely heavier than the velvet one I carried over the winter. cindysmith on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse/page/2#post-1901958 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:34:56 +0000 cindysmith 1901958@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've been afraid to look for a couple of weeks now. My bag has gotten heavier and heavier, and I can't for the life of me figure out why. So, I'm diving in while there's a community of friends to send search & rescue if I don't resurface soon. * several pounds of keys. I don't know how it came to this. * Revo shades and my eyeglasses for driving at night * two ink pens, a folding hair brush, a cleaning cloth for glasses, and what I thought was a lollipop stick turned out to be 1/3 of an ink pen * inhaler * travel bottle of biotene mouth rinse because my b.p. meds are good at giving me cottonmouth * vertigo meds. I learned the hard way not to leave home without them * a cigarette lighter. Since I don't smoke, I can only assume that this is there in case I ever get stranded on a deserted island & need to start a signal fire * eyeglass repair tool * leftover medicine from cold & flu season. I'm guessing these were left here in case I wind up on a deserted island * my sobriety medallion given to me by my meeting group last year * enough hair elastics for an entire squad of cheerleaders * not one * not two * but three tubes of hand lotion. I guess I'm expecting that entire squad of cheerleaders to be stranded on that deserted island with me * a band aid * a band aid large enough to treat a gunshot wound. Because there's sure to be a gunshot wound on the deserted island. * a little snack for the deserted island. Apparently, I only need something to hold me over while I cook all those cheerleaders over that signal fire I started. I still can't figure out why my bag is so heavy. Unless it's the keys and the cheerleading squad's hand lotion. I'm just glad I'm not a full time stagehand AND a full-time university student anymore. I swear, I had almost an entire tool kit PLUS a fully stocked office PLUS a full makeup bag PLUS a well stocked kitchen pantry and fridge in there. Edited to add my wallet. I guess I forgot the wallet because I went have any use for it on that deserted island. Cardiff girl on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse/page/2#post-1901954 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:28:45 +0000 Cardiff girl 1901954@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think that some of you must be related to Mary Poppins with the amount of stuff that you can fit into a hand bag!I m the same though and if I ever change bags woe betide me if I leave anything out because that’s the one thing I ll need that day. Katerina on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse/page/2#post-1901951 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:17:40 +0000 Katerina 1901951@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I usually wear rather large handbags. I carry a lot of stuff. Some probably quite unnecessary - but hard to change the habit. I carry wallet, keys, cards, phones, several lipsticks, a little mirror, small perfume, pens, Kleenex, glasses, small umbrella, headphones, gloves ...and some more. Sometimes a water bottle. Swapping hangbags is a hassle, but I try to do it more often now to get them in rotation and to improve outfits. Cannot master the purse organizer concept - usually, instead “organization” they contribute to mess Gigi on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse/page/2#post-1901851 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 04:46:37 +0000 Gigi 1901851@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting thread! I used to be in the hernia-causing category, but I finally got tired of lugging around a big tote. And when I would clean out said tote, I was horrified to see the stuff I had been carrying around for months! Now I try to get purses that are large enough for only what I absolutely need, plus a little extra space for the occasional odd item that I need to take with me--but not so much space that items get lost. My purse holds my phone, wallet, sunglasses, lip balm, and a small zipped pouch with odds and ends: bandaids, nail clipper, pantyliners, nail file, bobby pins, etc.  Dianna on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse#post-1901836 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 03:00:05 +0000 Dianna 1901836@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I always carry my wallet, keys, cell phone, sunglasses case, and small mirror, a couple of lipsticks, eyeliner,hair brush, hair ties, dental floss, hand lotion, and sunscreen (lotion and spray).  Sometimes I also carry a scarf and a pair of shoes.  Oopss, not minimal at all, and my handbags tend to be on the bigger size. Jaime on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse#post-1901825 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 02:02:03 +0000 Jaime 1901825@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Bare essentials: wallets, keys, tissues, ricola drops, reuseable shopping bag, lip balm, phone. I switch bags depending on mood and plans for the day. Anonymous on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse#post-1901813 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 01:50:16 +0000 Anonymous 1901813@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Most of the time a large clutch or medium sachel will hold wallet with bills, change and a few cards, tissue pack, keys, large cell phone, nylon shopping bag, sunglasses and insulin kit for testing and injections plus a protein bar. If clothes shopping, I add a small measuring tape and comb. I change bags often. Anonymous on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse#post-1901791 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 23:54:35 +0000 Anonymous 1901791@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mainelady- yay for the measuring tape-always. lol Mainelady on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse#post-1901783 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 23:15:58 +0000 Mainelady 1901783@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My purse has a wallet, checkbook, glasses case, small notepad and pen, a pair of leather gloves, keys and a small cosmetic bag (comb, Tylenol, tissues, lipstick, mirrored compact, measuring tape) and cell phone. Anonymous on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse#post-1901782 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 23:14:17 +0000 Anonymous 1901782@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ NYC through the eighties and Miami until the early nineties got me off purses but in my pockets the three essentials are keys, card wallet with credit cards. license and health insurance card, and my cell phone. I'm going to include What's in the Car Console though because it's cheating otherwise, powder compact, lip balm, wooden comb, and a roll of dog poop bags. I'm not including the jar of quarters and dog cookies because those really are car items, quarters for the meter and cookies for not barking at every dog while I'm driving. I'm moving towards a small crossbody myself because I change jackets often. Anonymous on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse#post-1901769 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 21:54:55 +0000 Anonymous 1901769@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ YLF Friends- Thank you all for the great input.  To those of you that change your purses often- I am inspired. Maybe changing purses will get me to be more thoughtful as to what is going in and what I can leave out. Funny how I can curate my closet but not my purse. For those that recommended going down a size, that too might give me pause as to what should go in and what can be left behind But then I read the posts of those who carry meds, glasses/contacts and I think-yup- that's why I do what I do. Thank you so much for letting me feel normal!!!!! Aurore- I love the idea of a just in case pouch. Maybe I will follow LaBelle's lead and keep it in my car. I can use the extra exercise! Ginger- Love that bag! and your list sounds familiar ;-) Rachylou- I am always amazed at how much stuff my husband puts into his pockets do but I don't need my hips looking any bigger-lol. Binkie- I would love a clutch to give my shoulders a rest. Anchie- like the reuseable shopping bag idea but I would probably get eye rolls from the rest of the family so I will not add to my collection. I do use totes when I travel (so that I can bring computer and kindle) or when shopping (to consolidate little packages) but usually just shove regular purse in it too. Think I will ear mark a evening this week to implement some of your suggestions.  Thanks again! The Cat on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse#post-1901765 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 21:32:15 +0000 The Cat 1901765@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Always: wallet, phone, reading glasses, kleenex, keys. Often also several of the following items: sunglasses, umbrella, crampons (in winter), lipstick, lip balm, mirror, hand sanitizer, handcream, hair brush, allergy eye drops, adhesive plaster, bottle of water, fruit, chocolate, pen, notebook, Ipad, magazines, book. I empty my purse as soon as I get home and have a shelve where I place items like the ones mentioned above, so that I can easy grab them when leaving the house. binkle on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse#post-1901760 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 21:03:26 +0000 binkle 1901760@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I did the clutch thing for quite a while and liked it (my shoulder especially liked it).  One clutch was very roomy, and could hold my over-stuffed wallet.  Another was very flat - no expansion, so serious editing was required.  But I change my bags with the seasons, and am now carrying a more traditional hand bag.  It includes my wallet, a leather zip pouch for my keys (3 sets - house, and 2 cars), a leather pouch for my lip balm and a couple of lipsticks, a small cel phone and charger, packet of kleenex, teeny bottle of hand sanitizer, eyeglass case.  A water bottle will also just fit, if required.   Style Fan on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse#post-1901722 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 17:16:49 +0000 Style Fan 1901722@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I carry a larger bag unless I am going somewhere special.  But I usually forget to change my bag. In my bag, I carry my sunnies, my prescription driving glasses, my reading glasses, phone, keys, wallet, migraine medication, tissues, lipstick, pen, notebook, dog cookies, dog bags, hair brush and hair ties. We keep reusable shopping bags in our car for shopping.  rachylou on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse#post-1901721 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 17:14:50 +0000 rachylou 1901721@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have to add, to be honest, I don’t really need a purse. I can put my gear in pockets. I’ve been making an effort lately, tho. anchie on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse#post-1901710 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 16:53:59 +0000 anchie 1901710@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have all the things that most of you already listed - phone, wallet, keys, ibuprofen, lipbalm, hand cream, floss, pen and sunglasses. And one thing very important to me that no one mentioned - reusable shopping bag :) There are also items that are not there permanently but on as needed basis - like glowes, umbrella and feminine products. kkards on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse#post-1901705 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 16:45:55 +0000 kkards 1901705@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm waiting for the day when i can go out with just my phone and sunglasses! until then, I also carry a wallet and keys....if I'm feeling like I have a cold or my allergies are bothering me, tissues....during the week, I put my handbag into a fashion backpack that carries my lunch, company ID, shoes if needed, and laptop on days i need to work from home.... rachylou on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse#post-1901703 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 16:38:17 +0000 rachylou 1901703@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I carry wallet, cell, pencil case with my glucometer and insulin pen, and a mini coke. I also have a Target purse that I have turned into a waist pack: It has doggie bags, flashlight, and the leash hooked onto the strap. And another mini coke JAileen on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse#post-1901700 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 16:06:41 +0000 JAileen 1901700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ In my bag: wallet, phone, sunglasses, reading glasses, keys, misc items, checkbook and pen. I only write one check a week, so I should leave it out. The misc items: hand lotion, lipstick, floss, nail clippers, advil, emory board, band aids, pepto. I usually have a piece of kleenex in my pocket unless I have a cold or am having allergy issues. My wallet is too big for many bags. When we travel I downsize to a very small zipper bag that holds some cash, ID, and a credit card. Thistle on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse#post-1901699 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 16:05:39 +0000 Thistle 1901699@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Fruit snacks. Always have a spare one of those in there!  Wallet. Phone. Keys. Migraine medicine. Advil. Pen. Sticky notepad. Err, feminine products.  Anonymous on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse#post-1901696 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 15:57:32 +0000 Anonymous 1901696@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ “Mugger deserves a hernia!” Lol! Not much goes into my purse. I like to swap purses so it encourages minimalism. I’m never without Advil, lol! Mary Beth (formerly LBD) on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse#post-1901691 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 15:33:01 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1901691@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've tried to be that minimalist person who carries a tiny purse.   But when I do, it ends up being accompanied by the big backpack that I use for dance and classes.  My purse usually has: A tiny card holder for credit cards, etc.  (I try to cull this periodically, and I've added my store cards to my phone).  A small change purse.   Cash in a money clip.   A pick-style comb, and 2-3 hair elastics (these things seem to multiply).  At least 3-4 lip products, despite my attempts to only keep one or two lip things in my bag.   Dental floss.   Tiny bottle of hand lotion. My gym key & lanyard.   Tissues.   Spare contact lense case with lens solution inside.  A small bottle with advil and benadryl.  A small pen.  iPhone.  iPod.   Headphones.    Sunglasses and/or eyeglasses and/or readers.    Keys. In any given week, I use all of these things, so... I dunno.   I don't really have a solution, unless I kept this stuff in my car.   But then I would be running back and forth to my car.   citygirldc on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse#post-1901688 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 14:54:34 +0000 citygirldc 1901688@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I prefer a small bag but also have a bigger tote on those work days when it's raining and I have to carry my gym clothes and shoes with me.  What's in my purse/bag? 2 smart phones (work and personal), wallet, keys, lipstick, powder, and a hair brush.  Not a lot but still can weigh down a bag. Synne on "What’s in your purse?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what%e2%80%99s-in-your-purse#post-1901686 Mon, 26 Mar 2018 14:49:42 +0000 Synne 1901686@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have almost eliminated the need for a purse, but have to add it back in as a style accessory, lol. When I was younger I would walk around with a water bottle and some healthy snacks constantly. But then I learned it wasn't all that healthy after all (BPA leaking into the water, no need for constant snacking if I eat a hearty breakfast). I only need to carry my card holder and mobile phone, if that. But as mentioned earlier, a handbag is a great accessory, so I'm wearing it anyway.