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Multiple purses?

Gigi

Veteran

Oftentimes, when I am out and about, I take a long a second bag of stuff in addition to my regular purse: a thermos with hot water (yes, I always drink my water hot!), maybe a binder if I'm going to be meeting people from my church group, a book to entertain myself if I have to wait at the car shop, etc. For these extra items, I have been using an old cloth YMCA bag with black stains on it that I got at Goodwill. (Not fab.)

My main crossbody purse is of medium size and has my wallet (pretty thick), a cosmetics bag (not filled with cosmetics but filled with odds and ends, such as chapstick, nail clippers, etc.), a cell phone, and a small pad of paper with a pen.

I have thought about switching the medium crossbody bag to a bigger tote-style bag every day so that I would have available space to just toss in the extra items. But those extra items are pretty big, and I don't want to lug around a big tote bag all the time if I don't need it. What do you do in this situation? Just buy a nice tote bag for overflow? Or do you go "bare bones" with a clutch and then throw absolutely everything else into the tote bag? Thanks for any advice!

Oh, one more question: If you do end up carrying two bags, do you have to be careful that your bags don't compete? If I have a crossbody purse that I want to be noticed, should I get a plain-colored tote?

Dressing

38 replies

Latest reply was from Mander

Adelfa

Veteran

I put a clutch into a (Longchamp) tote. I don't ever carry two bags. Sometimes I miss carrying a pretty larger bag, but it's worth it to me not to carry two bags.

Sunee

(website)

I agree, I don't like to carry two bags so I carry one with some extra space. I would also advise that you take a good look at all the stuff you carry and see if it is really necessary?
I say that but I literally have a little of EVERYTHING in my bag, from homeopathic medicines, to band aids, to fashion tape, to paperclips and even a Tide-to-go stick. All my friends know that whatever they need... it's in my bag.

Anonymous

I have a good looking large tote that has some zippered pockets inside where I stash my billfold, phone, sun glasses and small stuff. The large sections today held shoes(for when I removed snow boots), a couple of notebooks, protein bars, gloves, a clip board, and lots more. I found this bag at Target, so it was quite inexpensive.

catgirl

Veteran

This is a constant issue for me - I switch between a small bag and juggling lots of extraneous stuff like files and lunch, or a giant bag that my DH calls my suitcase. And I hate switching bags out, so it's an ongoing problem.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I do this when I'm working at the bar and bringing aprons, bottle openers, etc, along with a lunchbag and my purse and maybe a change of shirt or shoes if I'm going somewhere after shift. I was using a cloth shopping tote like you would for groceries I got as a freebie at a 5K run. Yeah, not so fab. But when I looked into actual real totes I was shocked at how heavy it was before I even put anything into it! Still using the freebie grocery sacks for now - which I put my handbag into as well so I'm only carrying one.

JAileen

Veteran

I am taking guitar lessons and can carry two things - guitar in one hand, and tote bag in the other. I've been putting my purse in the tote along with my music books and water bottle. If I were using a cross body bag I would wear it. The tote I've been using is made from a crinkly plastic rice bag and weighs nothing which is an advantage.

Catnip

Veteran

Two large bags... No, No, No!

Before I retired, I carried a fairly small bag with a crossbody strap and a larger tote bag for files, extra shoes, whatever. The larger bag was my briefcase. It's my experience that many women carry way too much stuff. I don't know why this is, but I can assure you that it's very bad for the back.

Greyscale

Veteran

I use a thin black nylon shopping bag like a Baggu, the type you're meant to pack away in your purse to bring to the grocery store. Expandable extra space. And I rather like how it looks - like the various grocery bag style purses on the runway a few seasons ago.

Diana

Veteran

I carry one larger bag that holds everything. I categorically refuse to carry multiple bags as I am pretty sure I'll leave one on the bus or something, and I am clumsy enough that I'd probably get two bags constantly tangled up and bumping against each other. I do usually keep a fold-up reusable grocery bag inside my purse to use in case of emergencies (or if I decide to pick up something at the store on the way home).

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I try not to carry multiple bags either. If I need notebooks or binders or a laptop I prefer to carry a larger tote. I do put one of those foldaway grocery bags in my bag in case i go shopping. But when I had an office job and was commuting straight from door to door, as opposed to running errands, I would sometimes bring my lunch and that sort of thing in s second bag.

But if two bags work for you, maybe you can just upgrade the second tote a little? I don't think there's anything wrong with canvas or nylon but I prefer not to carry handbags that look more like free reusable grocery bags than anything,else.

April

Veteran

I only carry two bags when I'm going to New York or CT on a weekend: my handbag and a tote containing my Kindle, water bottle, a magazine, and whatever odds and ends I need for the weekend, sometimes spare shoes.

I have found that when my tote is a statement, I do have to plan my other bag so I don't clash. For years, my go-to tote was a big emerald green patent leather structured bag from Talbot's. I adore that bag, but I do not like to carry it at the same time as, say, my cherry-red patent handbag. Ho, ho, ho, and all that.

So yes, it's definitely easier, if your handbags are colorful, to have your secondary bag be something neutral. Right now I'm eyeing this one: http://www.danier.com/leather-.....colour=824|979797&m

lyn67

Veteran

Can I ask why drinking the water hot?

I also carry to much in my always bigger sized bags, and was schocked when noticed in a dressing room's backside mirror that my right shoulder is getting deeper then the other. No good, but can't help. If change for a smaller bag I always miss stuff that prouves to be indispensable in speciffic life moments:-(.

Joyce B

Veteran

I also carry two bags for work and for travel. On weekends and evenings it's one bag. When it's two bags, it's a small to medium sized one and a tote to carry my cooler and work related stuff. When traveling it's a small cross-body bag with my docs and things to keep handy and a medium-sized bag.
For the plane trip I have my "bags bag" where I put my regular bag plus stuff that I need for the trip, this way I don't exceed the two bags limit and if I need to I can always put the cross body in the bags bag. So yes, I like to have more than one bag many times.

doubleh

Veteran

We sold these at a place I used to work. (arbitrarily chosen colors). The cross body is great- it is 3 sections that snap together (with the strap being attached to center one). A lot of women bought the cross body and tote together and tossed cb into tote when needed. The tote is super-light weight and even the smaller version holds a lot.

http://www.annabelingall.com/c.....y-midnight

http://www.annabelingall.com/collections/bags

Laurinda

Veteran

I use a duffle bag for gym gear, and a canvas Lands End tote for other larger items (not at the same time). If I am carrying a clutch I put it inside. Duffles are easy to find at thrift stores. If you are choosing a tote consider size, whether you want a zippered top, and I recommend an outside pocket. They come in all kinds of colors!

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Liz A.

Veteran

Haha I was just thinking how ridiculous I must have looked going home last night with THREE bags: purse, gym bag, and laptop backpack. I only bring my laptop for working from home in case of inclement weather. So normally I'm a two bag lady, and I've never thought twice about it. My gym bag is a duffel, and I think it's fairly obvious to observers what's in there and that it's not meant for style.

That being said I commute by car now. If I were commuting by bus like I've done in the past, I'd either go to a gym closer to home to avoid that issue altogether, or I'd switch to a utilitarian backpack with my regular purse inside. I'm very practical that way.

And even so my regular purses are always large enough to hold my lunch. No daytime clutches for this girl.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It's crazy, isn't it?

I do a combination of things, depending on the nature of the commute. First, I mostly just use shopper bags now. Shopper sized bags are about tote-sized on 5'4" me, proportionately. Unfortunately, while they'll hold a lot (water, lunch, extra layer, books, notebooks, kindles, etc.) they don't QUITE fit my laptop. So...I also have a bigger (genuine tote-sized) bag that I carry when I'm brining that...OR I do what Greyscale does and use a nylon shopping bag for some of my stuff.

When I carry my big bag, I'll sometimes add a clutch or a wristlet or a small cross body inside. This is especially great for travel. The big bag holds it all.

For the gym, I have nothing decent. I'm in the market for that right now. Reading these replies eagerly.

rute

Veteran

I don't carry too bags, it doesn't look good. I have a big tote were I put everything and inside a small clutch to carry if I go out for a coffee or for lunch.
At weekends I wear a smaller crossbody bag

Liz A.

Veteran

Suz, I have to look decent at the gym now? Hello, wardrobe hole!

krishnidoux

Veteran

I have found my purse happy style through teaching. Yes! I discovered it is best for me to carry the tiniest cross-body (leather, preferably), where I put my cards, passes, keys, small change, one pen and possibly my phone. Barely. (I can't even put my wallet in there. Those bags are like little wallets themselves).

Then I have my hard shell super light tote on wheels in which I carry books, binders and my other stuff . Teaching has taught me this, because I not only have to commute, but once at work I am constantly walking from classroom to classroom to offices which are generally at opposite ends of the college. Once the tote is parked somewhere, I still need a very basic amount of stuff on me to get around (keys, passes, id card, change...).

I used to carry my life with me, just in case... and learned that in the end I seldom use nor need all that stuff when I'm out and about. It drains me of my energy more than it helps. There's nothing like the freedom from not lugging a tote, when possible.

As for gym, I have the lightest possible duffel bag bought at Costco. It's the kind in nylon that is shapeless when empty. (This one exactly: http://adventuresofshrinkinger.....m-bag.html). I am VERY happy with it. But I do travel by car. If I were to go on foot it would be a back pack for sure.

One last item I struggle with: sunglasses. I hate how their cases are always so huge and demand full use of two hands to manipulate, and don't fit in most of my tiny purses. One does need to be able to pull them out swiftly and elegantly, usually while ambulating, when hands are already occupied by other objects (car keys, shopping bags, mitts, etc). Still on the lookout for ideas regarding this.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

My dad has one of those egg shaped hard shell cases and adds a clip to the end, or maybe it's a carabiner, so he can hook it to his belt loop or the strap of his backpack. Not the most elegant solution but at least it's not in the bottom of a bag somewhere.

It's either LL Bean or Lands End that has recently come out with a nylon version of their iconic boat and tote bag. I think that would be a nice gym bag if you didn't need a separate compartment for your shoes, as specific gym bags often have.

AviaMariah

Veteran

Reading how everyone handles this is interesting because this has been an issue for me. For the last few years I have carried a very small wrist-let or cross body bag that basically fits my credit cards, cash, chapstick, keys and phone. Then I throw it in a larger bag for work along with larger items I needs to take to work. I can also throw it in my diaper bag when I'm out and about with DD. The theory is that I can just grab my smaller bag when I go shopping etc as I hate carrying a really large bag. But the reality is that I start getting lazy and throwing essentials in my big bag so I end up grabbing it anyways so I don't end up missing something. I haven't quite decided how to handle this but I'm thinking of trying out a size in the middle. But then when I have the diaper bag I will have two larger bags. Such a dilemma!

carter

Veteran

My handbag's pretty large, but it gets heavy very quickly. I tend to just keep the basics in there. I do. however, keep a large tote bag in the car where I toss water bottles, snacks, magazines, tablet, etc if I'm going to be out and about all day.

rebekahphoto

Veteran

ah the 1/2 bag dilemma...... I have found that I carry a small/medium size purse (satchel with crossbody strap) with my essentials: glasses, sunglasses, wallet, lipgloss, etc. And then I carry a tote for books, papers, computer, lunch, whatever else I need for work.

then on the weekends when I dont need to carry work stuff I just can carry my purse. But this becomes more of a problem if I have to carry a camera too.....as I cant really carry super heavy stuff with my back. Then I am down to a tiny crossbody for the wallet, or the wallet gets put in the camera bag

Louise

Veteran

During the work week I'm generally a two bag woman. My handbag then a tote or shopper with my lunch etc in. On Mondays when I go to Zumba straight after work it's a large Paul's Boutique black tote which carry's my sports clothes other days it's a smaller bag. Generally if I've got a shoulder bag I'll carry the tote in my hand or the crook of my arm and if I've got a handheld bag then shoulder tote. I'm trying to walk to work most days, it's only 15 minutes either way but every little helps so I try to keep as light a load as possible as I gave a tendency to overpack!! Weekends and school holidays I generally use a smaller cross body bag, if I'm shopping I'll take a big tote with me to save on plastic bags x

ETA I'd rather carry two smaller bags than a giant bag with everything in as it spreads the load. I have carried a huge bag before with it all in and got back and neck pain x

Gigi

Veteran

Lyn67, I drink my water hot because I have digestive issues, and my body gets a bit of a break if it doesn't have to heat the water up to body temperature. :^)

Gigi

Veteran

This does seem to be a tricky situation! I do like the size of my crossbody purse, because I can fit only what I need in it and nothing more. I used to carry a tote every day, and like many of you have mentioned, it got really heavy fast, because I would throw stuff in that I would need for the day and then forget it was in there. When I would clean the thing out, I wouldn't believe all the junk I had been carrying! One time I even found a small appliance, I think...whatever it was, it was quite large, and I said, "No wonder this thing is so darn heavy!"

I like the idea of a small purse plus a tote, where you can just throw the small purse in the tote and then take only the small purse out when you run into the store, etc., but I have to be honest with myself and admit that I can't fit my regular daily needs stuff in a small purse. I have some health problems and need to take snacks with me and other little things like that, and I know I won't be able to fit them all in a small purse (I need medium sized). This would mean I would have to take the tote all the time to deal with overflow. Hmm. Maybe I need to watch and see how often I use the extra bag? If I'm using it 75% of the time, maybe the best solution would be small purse plus tote every day. And I should watch to see if there are days/places where I use the "extras" (snacks, lip balm, etc.) more than other days, in which case I could change to a smaller purse for everyday and use a tote only on those specific days. Argh. Sometimes I wish I lived in a little hut in the back forty and didn't have to go anywhere. Problem solved!

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I usually carry a big bag, because if I'm leaving the house I'm usually gone all day and will be in the library as well as shopping and possibly the supermarket, so I know I'll end up with a ton of stuff to lug home on the train. Sometimes I carry a smaller bag but in that case I will fold up a cloth tote or one of those nylon grocery bags and carry that too in case of overflow. I have a fairly nice looking plain black bin tote that came with a luggage set I bought years ago that is ideal, because it is nondescript enough that I wouldn't feel embarrassed carrying it to work but it is super light weight and takes up no room at all.

shiny

Veteran

I'm forever on the lookout for the perfect bag that works for 80% of my needs.

It is big enough to include everything you might carry in a cross body or clutch (small wallet, comb, some basic cosmetics, gum, cell phone), plus a cardigan, scarf, gloves, hat, water bottle, pumps or ballet slippers (not sneakers), iPad, and 8x11 folder. If it is large enough to fit a laptop and sneakers, that is bonus points.

It also has to be "to scale" because I'm only 5" here. And yeah, lightweight as well, because I have back problems and can't lug gigantuous totes. I just can't.

There are options out there, plenty of them, but they are just TOO large, scale wise, for me. Even if they aren't too heavy (what is up with all this hardware? Adds weight!!) the scale is just too large for little old me. Fashion wise. Not to mention break-my-back wise.

My current strategy is as follows:

- Heavy employment of clutches, rather than cross bodies, because clutches can easily be tucked into a larger bag.
- Preference for medium size bags that are hobo style and uber slouchy. Because they "grow" according to how much you stuff into them. A hobo style works great whether you are carrying light -- or have stuffed it with hat, gloves, scarf, sweater, water bottle etc...
- Leaning towards non-leather options simply because they tend to be lighter weight. I have a preference for real leather -- and a budget for it-- but darn it, these more luxurious options just way too dang much before anything is added, especially if have heavy hardware. Looks awesome but so not practical. I would drop big $ on the right bag, but the big $ bags are all too freaking heavy. You bag designers need to employ ergonomics people. Grrr. Your target market is older, we have $ but we have ergonomic limitations. I am torn between fashion designers -- and what my doctors are saying. Please, designers, talk to some doctors! You'd make a mint if you did.
- Petite realities: my oversized tote is a medium tote, which doesn't usually fit a laptop, but if I want fashion wise to have that "look" ... it's medium not large. What a conundrum. Or designer challenge, depending on how you view it.

Okay I've gone on and on... but this is huge issue for me, and I'm super opinionated, because I can't find the right bags. *frustrated*

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