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Of strange dreams, purses, complement challenges, and WIWs.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Last week, I dreamt I was back in my recurring-weird-dream-version of a Hong Kong shopping center. And I dreamt that I left my bag - a sky blue silk brocade handbag with bamboo handles (long-ago passed on), in a shop somewhere. Everything was in this bag: keys, passport, money, phone…you name it. And I had to leave for the airport in an hour. And the building was about to close, while I ran frantically through this arcade, trying to remember where I set it down.

A voice - my voice - cut across the story, saying, “You don’t really need a purse anymore, so calm down”… and then I woke up - all stressed out, LOL.

Awake, I’ve realized that to a extent, this is true. I still need a purse… I just need less purse. I’ve been carrying small crossbody bags since the pandemic started, to minimize surface contact. In my purse I carry: my car key, tinted lip balm, mask, hand sanitizer, Benadryl and ibuprofen, hand lotion, a small card holder, eye drops, comb, and breath spray. My bag is more makeup bag than anything else. I don’t carry a house key, because we installed a keypad on the garage door opener. I’m looking for ways to downsize all of this.

Anyway. I had set myself a goal to wear a pink complement outfit, I’ve realized that my pink Furla handbag is very pretty, but not practical for my lifestyle. I am girding my loins to say farewell and will (probably) send it to my sister, if she wants it.

I’m going to start actively seeking out pockets in my clothing, and I’m taking a closer look at all of my bags.

Here is my pink complement WIW, to run errands and have a socially distanced patio coffee date with a friend. The second photo was at Goodwill. I stopped in to return a jacket, and was amused to find this tapestry print crossbody that matched my jacket. (It didn’t come home with me).

I’m going to paraphrase Gollum… “what’s in your pocketses… and purses?”

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29 replies

Latest reply was from Joy

Runcarla

Veteran

Gosh! My mother has a recurring dream of loosing her purse/bag, and volunteers it has something to do with feeling like one is loosing one’s sense of self, or questioning same. (We keep so much of what we are about in our wallets or bags, after all.) The dream is certainly understandable, given how the times we live in can have us re-thinking so many things.

Though my bags have become smaller (and lighter), my wallet has become fatter. I carry: wallet, keys (house, car, mailbox), phone, tissues, pen, small day timer.

Helena

Veteran

Oh this outfit is just beautiful! I love it ... you had me at the soft pink! So funny how perfectly the crossbody matches!

I am with you on downsizing my purse - I used to carry a tote because invariably I'd end up with kid accoutrements in there ... now they carry their own stuff (amazing how much less they need once they carry their own *ponders*) ... I have a couple of medium sized purses to fit my essentials - wallet, car key, sunglasses, readers, small makeup bag (with tinted lip balm, small brush, hand sanitizer and hand moisturizer), and phone. I don't see myself downsizing to pockets only, but the purse is definitely getting smaller, and my wallet does have a wrist strap on it, so if I'm walking to get a coffee or something, I can just bring that rather than the whole kit and caboodle.

kate

So funny to see the tapestry purse! It's a design by William Morris, "Strawberry Thief", and matches my club chairs....I don't think I'll be searching for one to sit in my living room though!

Helena

Veteran

Ooh and I also have recurring dreams about trying to get somewhere and not being able to get there; I had one last night! I as trying to get to high school on time and different barriers are thrown up; last night I kept missing the bus and subway to get me there. It always ends with me realizing I already graduated high school so who cares lol!

slim cat

Veteran

Very pretty outfit and cute bag! I'd be tempted to get this adorable crossbody bag - love the print!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Pretty outfit! And cute bag too. But I totally hear you on rethinking bags these days. I am now all about lightweight, small refined backpack styles and crossbody styles. I will also occasionally use one of my nice totes, but they’re sitting idle more these days too.

I have passed along any clutches that don’t convert to crossbody, except for a couple of special-occasion styles. I’m not feeling shoulder bags and satchel styles much anymore, and even my larger bags that can be worn crossbody don’t appeal unless they sit quite flat and close to the body. There are a couple of larger bags I’m keeping because they were not cheap and/or are sentimental — who knows when the tide might turn and I’ll want those style again, so I’ll keep the special ones. But otherwise I’m getting ready to consign some old bags.

cat2

Veteran

I would keep the purse until we are a year past the pandemic. The first year I only used my PVC bags and accessories because I wanted a purse I could use a sanitizing wipe on. The second year I used all my leather wristlets and clutches because I was still just doing quick errands but we were less concerned about surfaces. This year I started pulling out the rest of my bags, because I needed something large enough to tote supplies for a day out. I also pulled out my travel totes for short trips.

rachylou

Veteran

I by and large don’t do purses anymore. I carry keys, phone (which is my wallet), insulin pens, emergency mini coke and doggie bags. The dog walking bag is basically my purse and I hook the lead to it. I have a crossbody, a few waistbags, and a mini front facing ‘backpack’. I was carrying a bag on office days, for my notebooks, but I’m tired of it now.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Nice pink and cheery outfit! Very pretty and festive. Funny to dream about the purse, and the shopping center.

One of my old recurring dreams was about a large department store of my childhood, and I was always looking for the perfect thing there, not even sure what, but it had all the departments, dresses, lingerie, fabric, and So Much Cool Stuff to look at. At times it would sort of morph into the other interesting shopping venues of discount, antique and housewares stores. Curious!

As to current purse/handbag use, I’m carrying a convertible strap bag which can be arranged to shoulder strap or back pack straps. It also has short handles. This bag is really too big for my true necessities, but I always find I’m stuffing things in, especially when I get home to carry inside, like mail, water bottle, hat, small packages, etc. What I take with me now are wallet, keys, sunglasses, phone, small zip bag (for chapstick, tissues, bandaids and ibuprofen), pen, and an old greeting card for a fan and also to enclose receipts or notes in transit. When I have a one stop trip for some reason, or basketball games, I limit to phone, tissue and a card case for my ID and credit card - these go in my coat pocket.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

First off, wow, your outfit is phenomenal! I love how the feminine pumps and the tapestry jacket play together, offset with the sleek, edgy pants. The colors are beautiful on you.

And fun matching bag at the shop!

Reading about your dream, I started to feel a bit anxious! Quite the nightmare. I have pared down my purses during the pandemic, too, just using small crossbody bags. I bought a really cool backpack purse before the pandemic, and I haven't carried it once. I expected it would be a workhorse. Haha!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WOW! KILLER GORGEOUS BAG and outfit, Mary Beth.

And glad you could calm down after waking up

Don’t pass on your bags just yet. Maybe wait till life is more normal. And put less in them if you can.

FWIW, pockets are not as great as you think they are. Sometimes they work out, and sometimes they don’t. Things fall out. Stuff goes in the laundry when you forget to empty pockets. Pockets that bulge can look funny. And carrying things in pockets can be uncomfortable. Plus the stuff can be hard to access. That’s why hubs gives his stuff to me to carry in my bag

Soooo, maybe you need another type of bag. I keep VERY few items in my bag and wear comfy dressy crossbodies.

Irina

Veteran

Oh, what a gorgeous outfit!
I switched to smaller crossbody bags in the last two years and downsizes my wallet. I keep a minimal amount of stuff in my bags, so it works well.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I have been a crossbody bag person for as long as I can remember. Forget germs, you cannot thrift without two hands! But I have downsized my preferred bag quite a lot over the years. I used to love a huge carryall but now prefer a bag just big enough for my: phone, reading glasses, sunglasses, reusable shopping bag, wallet, keys, tissues, lipgloss, and ricola drops. Slightly bigger bag if I need to carry an umbrella. I have a lot of bags and but tend to use a limited amount for a few months, then the set evolves.

Brooklyn

Veteran

You look gorgeous. Love the pink and the brocade.

I’ve switched to cross body bags mostly too. I like the ease of movement. But it makes it hard to wear a long necklace. Things get tangled.

And please go back and GET THAT BAG!

Bijou

Veteran

You look so glamorous in this outfit. Another vote to get the bag that matches your jacket.

Sal

Veteran

I love the bag from Goodwill....go and get it!!

I am mostly wearing my cross body bags. I am a terrible person for overstuffing bags and wallets.....

Love your outfit here - the blush suits you.

And I have a few reoccurring dreams - falling, plane crashes, and running late and things keep going wrong...

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Yikes! That dream! And the other dream! I’d be completely panicked. I occasionally remember dreams, but don’t think I’ve had such anxious ones.

I carry a little purse in summer. Sometimes in winter too, but really, I have so many pockets in winter I often skip the purse. I keep some medium-sized ones around for days when I do need to schlepp more stuff. For groceries, I use my big “Puccini” crossbody in summer, and fold-up totes all year. They’re thin fabric, so easy to slip into my pockets or little bag.

When I had a car lifestyle, the years we lived in Tampa, I took more stuff with me than I do now—bandaids, needle & thread, safety pins. I expected to need the “supplies” even more when I got back to a walking lifestyle but in fact I’ve ditched most of them.

I love Wm Morris!

Garden Fairy

This is such a beautiful outfit and the pink just glows on you!

I started cartying crossbodies pre-pandemic when I had to commute with a laptop backpack (two laptops on the daily) for easy reach to phone, public transit card, and to have something to go out to lunch or after-work drinks. Since the pandemic, I still wear the crossbodies for "going out" but for walks or errands, just my keys with a small cardholder attached. In my crossbody or pockets: mask and sanitizer, lipbalm, pocket cleanex, phone, earbuds. And I am WFH for the near future so no backpack for now.

And yes, I became even more obsessed with pockets than I already was Deep ones that can hold my phone. Skirts and dresses with pockets are especially a joy.

Anonymous

Love the outfit- but you didn't buy the bag?? I've gone for bigger bags in the last year, ironically!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree with Angie re: pockets. Unless it’s the absolute bare minimum I don’t love the feeling or functionality of carrying stuff in my pockets. Even my car key fob feels bulky. Small cross bodies are the way to go for me when I need to keep it minimal!

approprio

(website)

Veteran

I have my own version of this dream. It usually involves public transport.

I like pockets, but only for small items. I keep keys and wallets on carribenas which I clip to the inside of lightweight shoppers. Lately I’ve been flirting with a harness bag for keys, phone and extra masks, but seem to have lapsed back into the carribena arrangement.

madeline

Veteran

I admire your willpower - I could not have resisted that tapestry bag!
I’m on Team Crossbody too. And I agree with Angie. Pockets are not always useful.

CarolS

Veteran

Gorgeous pink outfit!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Fully & forever on team pockets!

And yes, they have to be cut & placed properly to work well. Also helps to limit what I carry/plan out which pocket gets which stash.

These BOTH have fake back pockets—really pisses me off! I saw them at purchase, didn’t try to stick hands or phone in them until it was too late. I might have some added.

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Anonymous

I can’t tell you how many flights from Mtl-Ottawa-Wpg I’ve almost missed by losing my passport and my credit card . Also my cellphone never works . I’m so exhausted by all of this I can’t tell you . I’ve also taken entire 4 year degree programs over again for reasons I can’t figure out , realizing at the last minute that I don’t have to take the exam because I already have that degree . I’m clearly a stressed hot mess .

Anyways , you look SO pretty and feminine in the pink outfit ! Gorgeous with your hair . I’m just using the purses I already own too . Cross body , and small . I’ve also completely done away with using a wallet and have switched to a little snap closure card case . Wallets now seem so anachronistic .

Runcarla

Veteran

LOL! I periodically check my uni transcript after all too vivid dreams that just before convocation I learn I’m one credit short on the requirements!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

When I need a “wallet”, it’s a card case with a zip compartment for bills. My favorite little crossbody has card slots & a zipper place for bills.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

You look amazing in the pink complement! You are glowing -- bad dreams or not.

I think your sister is going to think she's having a good dream when you offer her that Furla. What a kind thing to do!

Joy

Veteran

My goal is to buy a nylon shopping bag and a comb for each tote that I own. I am almost there. If there is room most valuables are in a small cross body bag. My larger toe bag has at least one nylon shopper, tissues, disposable masks, disposable gloves. A small notebook with pencil and a few snacks and glucose tablets complete a collection of stuff that can be lost without a problem although the bag itself would be missed. This time of year gloves may be added, although they usually stay in the car.