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What's in your purse? How many do you use in a season ?

Anonymous

I love handbags as much as the next person, and own more than I can actually use in a season . I had a nasty habit of buying $250 leather bags from BR when they were on a 50% off promo, and never using them. Cognac, orange, white, you name it, I have it. I typically rotate between 3 or 4 in one season (more in the summer where my colour collection explodes) My biggest issue is the inconvenience of switching stuff between one bag and the next .......and this is where I inevitably forget something in the transfer process. My glasses, my car fob, kleenex, and now a mask and sanitizer. My makeup ends up spread among 4 different bags by the end of the week .

What's in your purse? How do you do the bag transfer on a day -to-day basis ....if you do it at all? Tips for keeping things organized ? (I do own one of those fabric organizers , but it doesn't fit very many of my bags so it currently holds my stash of makeup samples )

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49 replies

Latest reply was from cindysmith

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well, right now, I have to confess. I am not regularly using a purse at all. I'm throwing it all into my Patagonia backpack! Not fashionable, but easy for my walks. And since nobody is seeing me anyway...

Anyway. In normal circumstances, I tend to flip between about 2 or 3 bags a season. One larger one (backpack or hobo) that I carry when I need/ want my laptop, a sweater, my water bottle -- i.e. when I have a lot to carry. Honestly, for me, since I commute around on foot, that's most days.

I also like a smaller crossbody/ clutch for dressier events.

My solution for the "switching" problem is little bags inside. So...my makeup's in a little pouch. My wallet, glasses, etc. are obviously their own little packets. I now have a separate little pouch for masks and sanitizer.

Rebecca Minkoff Medium Julian Backpack

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Rebecca Minkoff Isobel Leather Hobo Bag, White

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Rebecca Minkoff Je T'aime Medium Leather Crossbody Bag

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slim cat

Veteran

I've minimized the amount of things I need to carry with me - card holder, lipgloss, "dry eye relief" drops ( so I don't touch eyes ), mask and sunglasses. Sometimes I leave phone at home, other times I keep it with me. One small bag, one medium size and one clear stadium pocket crossbody bag are in use now.
The fashion aspect of having "the right bag" is unimportant to me now.
However when I'll go back to work ( next week ) - I may re-think this strategy and try to be more coordinated in my accessory game.
So far it looks like I'll be doing black bag and metallic shoes ( sandals, sneakers ) for simplicity. I love bags you have lisa p and hope I'll be able to add more fun bags in my collection but not right now .

Minaminu

Veteran

In my bag, I usually have a make-up bag, tissues, cardholder/purse, keys, shopping bag pouch, agenda and pen. I always forget the umbrella! Once I get home, I remove the contents from the bag and prepare the next bag for the following day. I often leave in each bags some essentials (tissues, for example).

My mum keeps all the contents in little pouches/inner bags and she easily swaps bags. I don't know how she does it, but I really admire this habit, it's simple and effective and reduce damages to the bag.

Style Fan

Veteran

I am just not a bag person. I carry the same one all year long. If I am going out to dinner or somewhere special, then I switch to one of my ' cute bags.' Right now, I am using my black Roots feed bag that I bought in the late 90s: Yeap, that one.
In my bag, I carry keys, tissues, a small wallet, sunnies, phone, pens, paper, epi-pen (bee stings and other stinging insects), and that is about it. I might throw some sunscreen in there if I am going to be out for a while.

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SarahD8

Veteran

In normal times: wallet, keys, phone, sunnies, a tube of chapstick, somewhere between 0 and all the pens I own (always 0 when I actually need a pen), hopefully a pack of tissues, and 50 wadded-up grocery lists and receipts.

I really just have 2 bags in regular use: a tan woven leather cross-body that I use in summer, and a teal nylon cross-body that I use the rest of the year. I'd love to have 2-3 more and rotate them seasonally (like every 10-12 weeks) but my bag aesthetic is, uh, rather narrow.

So I don't have much good advice for you but am posting mainly for comic relief. :-p

Anonymous

Sarah - my favourite trick is to pull out the first grocery list I find in my bag and buy whatever is on it. It's usually a list from a month ago. Also, yes, to all of the pens I own, and all of the lipgloss I own, plus receipts. You're no help at all

Janet - that bag is an absolute classic. I don't have mine anymore - it just was SO heavy when loaded up with all of my stuff. Roots is the best, sigh. Having a Canadian summer nostalgia moment over here.

The little pouch trick seems to be the best solution , but I'm SO undisciplined that it works for a week, until it doesn't anymore. I tend to use my car as a holding station for my collection of masks, sanitizers and hand creams, but my car is starting to look like I live in it.

Suz - I swoon a bit every time I see your red RM bag. I kind of wish I hadn't given away my Kors one that was very similar.

Runcarla

Veteran

Bags were edited last fall, and currently I have 8 (with a contender for 9th on the way.) 3 are in high rotation, and 5 are situational. As soon as I get home, I empty my bag, stacking my keys on the wallet, and the phone plugged in for charging. The bags each have their own tissue and folded spare shopping bag. Masks are next to the cel phone charger.

#1 what goes in my bag - wallet, keys, mask, tissues and (not shown) phone and spare shopping bag.

#2+3 are the bags in highest rotation. The red cross body and the backpack are seeing the most use, ‘cause when I’m out these days I’m usually walking - up to 2 hours at a time - and I want something light, and hands free. I LOVE my thrifted Coach Soho bag, but it is something I would use for car based errands - and those things aren’t happening much these days.

My other bags are Longchamps Lepliage x 2 which I use for travel, either short haul day trips or long haul vacations abroad, and 3 evening clutches. Not much of these happening, IYKWIM!

I’m in agreement with folks who no longer want to (or can) schlep around a heavy bag. Nylon bags might not be stylish, but they are convenient, and small leather bags aren’t too bad.

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Vildy

Veteran

A friend gave me a purse organizer and I loathed it and gave it back - so she could give it to someone else. And too many compartments and zips bug me, too. That's probably because I change bags so couldn't set up a system I'd remember.

All my life, I've carried very little. If I had a job where I needed a lot of stuff available to me, I'd have a tote. Otherwise I have all sorts of shapes and sizes. I edit my purses continually but usually end up with about 28. When I was younger and dating, I'd have touchup makeup with me and suppose I still might if I were going out for a long day or evening, not in a darkened venue.

Otherwise, before I'm going out, I gather what I want to take and sit it all together. Phone (though the first cell phone I had, at family's insistence, took me two years to remember to take with me consistently), cigarettes and lighter, wallet. Scribbled grocery or household items list if I'm going there. I sometimes wish I had a pen with me to scribble down something but not often enough that I actually take one. Don't take a brush or comb because I like my hair to be mussed up. Oh. reading glasses if I'm going somewhere where I want to check ingredients on a product or if I'm somewhere where I'd actually want to read a menu. If going somewhere where I'd actually be eating, then, skin colored lip liner and whatever lipstick I'm wearing that day. I wear lipstick at home most days, too.

I seem to settle on one particular favorite bag for most days and one other solely for summer one, probably a hard straw. I often get rid of that summer bag at the end of that season. But I do swap in lots of other bags as mood/outfit call for.

ETA: I went out for the first time since lockdown, the other day. I did take hand sanitizer with me.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have 25 bags. I LOVE them all. I swap them out frequently - many, all through the season. Daily, or every few days. It takes two secs to do the switcheroo.

Contents: keys, phone, wallet, lip bam, hand sanitizer, poo-poo bags for Sam, tissues, zip lock for mask (I need a better solution for this). Sometimes Greg's wallet. Sometimes sunglasses case.

When I travel, I pack in more.

Don't carry heavy things like books, ipads, snacks, or bottles of water.

Joy

Veteran

I change out bags very frequently and now use two at once. I have a mental list of what I need...a very small billfold for a bit of cash, credit cards drivers license, medical cards, keys, sunglasses, a comb, a pen and piece of paper or tiny notebook, pack of tissues, glucose monitor and tablets and phone and probably a mask if not already wearing it. For longer trips in the past I would add protein bars, a nylon tote bag rolled up and insulin kit. I do not carry makeup. One advantage of changing bags often is that I clean them out. Receipts and notes go in a special place in a drawer or basket for a few weeks. Bag needs can change in time. I now use clutches with a shoulder strap (usually removable) as second bags rather than to go out to dinner. I used to put everything in a satchel. Those have become my least used in summer when I also may want to carry a thermos of water or iced tea. Now I am more likely to use a tote. In cooler months I return to the satchels. I probably use about 30 bags a season, but there is lots of overlap between seasons.

JAileen

Veteran

I think this is everything I keep in my bag:

wallet
sunglasses in a hard case
reading glasses in a soft slip in case
phone
kleenex packet
sanitizer
keys
small zip bag with nail clipper, emery board, lipstick, hand and lip balm, bandaids, floss, and pepto

When I travel I use a very small wallet instead of the big everyday one. The zip bag with the miscellaneous things helped the most with transferring from bag to another. But it also helps in finding what I’m looking for.

Usually when I’m out I like to be hands free, so a crossbody bag works best. I like a tote with a long strap. I hardly go out now, so I’ve been using this seatbelt bag.

ETA: In a normal year I change my bags frequently, depending on what I’m wearing and what I’m planning to do. So I don’t have a number that I use. I have at least 50 bags, but many of them are vintage and are impractical for me. I can’t get rid of them because I love them.

1. Harveys Seatbelt bag
2. Radley Wallet

3. Mr Skunky relaxing

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Anonymous

One thing I’ve been considering is switching to a smaller wallet and forgetting about the traditional full-length style . I never carry cash or a cheque book anymore, which is the only reason one needed a longer wallet . Most cards are either now on my phone or have been whittled down to the few I really use . I have 3 really , really beautiful long wallets though that are still in mint condition and it kills me not to use them again . I change my wallet with the season - which my husband mocks me endlessly for now that he’s discovered this crAzy practice of mine . If we’re out somewhere and debating who is paying or using which card, he likes to claim he left his credit card “ in his winter wallet “ and then falls over laughing . I suppose I asked for it

Sal

Veteran

I don't think I will be much help.

I have three main handbags that I swap between, plus a small cross body and a collection of clutches (not often used). The cognac and black/camel are worn all year and the navy more in winter.

In the bag I carry my wallet, phone, keys, small makeup pouch, diary and other crap. I swap out in a rush and often forget things.

I am considering another small crossbody bag....

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The Cat

Veteran

Oh, I use several purses each season. And I have made it a habit to empty my purse/bag once I get home. In my small walk-in closet I have a tray reserved for stuff I usually have in my bag, like keys, wallet, phone, glasses, sunglasses, kleenex, lip balm, etc.

rachylou

Veteran

I try to be hands free, so it’s mostly waistbags - but I still have things to carry and it’s starting to add up. You’re right. Now that it’s summer I have to have sunscreen and lip sunscreen. And I’m forgetful. Tbh, I have miniaturised as much as possible (stick sunscreens, etc.). I have a phone case that holds all my cards (and I don’t carry cash). And I have duplicates stashed everywhere. Emergency masks, hair bands, medical gear - even a dog leash - in my car and at work.

Vildy

Veteran

Lisa I've read that a lot of women are rejecting clunky wallets for slimline men's wallets, even money clips.

Anonymous

Nothing is in mine because I don't have a single one. I leave a little makeup in the door pocket of my car, poop bags in the console, and carry only a card case and car key.

I'm searching now because in the warm weather I also need a water bottle for the dog and coronavirus necessities have pushed beyond what I can reasonably carry in and out of the house.

Just read Vildy's post, so true. A card case is small and inconspicuous and I don't commonly use bills or coins.

Runcarla

Veteran

Oh! I have a ‘travel’ wallet (that I hope I’ll get to use again.) I got it when I noticed how my wallet was stretched from the extra cards I carry when I’m ‘home’ that I leave behind when I travel (loyalty cards, library card, ID, etc.) Every time I opened my wallet, the few cards I brought on vacation fell out! The vacation wallet is smaller, but also has two spaces for bills, so I can carry $CA on one side, and foreign currency on the other.

Back in the day when gyms were open I had 2 gym bags on the go - a small one for swimming and a big one for all other gym days. I used to forget to transfer stuff between the bags, so filled two identical toiletries bags with the products I use. The convenience was well worth the financial outlay.

Diana

Veteran

At a minimum, I need 3.

Big nylon tote for work. (It holds: Laptop + lunch bag + Keys, phone, wallet, sunglasses, little pouch w/things like lip balm, medicine, gum, etc. Also sometimes an umbrella, a cardigan,etc.)

casualish medium crossbody for errands, etc

Small leather wristlet for both running out quickly and dressier occasions.

In reality, I have multiples of all of these.

Edit: yes, the little pouch with all of the random stuff helps immensely. I’m probably going to add another one with a spare mask and sanitizer and stuff.

nemosmom

Veteran

I won't be much help - I am not much of a bag person, and tend to only reach for a purse based on where I am going (clutch for dressy, laptop for work, etc.)

I have a small wallet/card holder (about the size of my hand). I carry it, my phone, and my key fob in my jacket pockets in the cooler months, or in my laptop bag. I really only carry a small crossbody (Fossil voyager Small) in summer. In it I have the wallet, fob, Chubby lip pencil, pen, 4x6 paper.

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CarolS

Veteran

I'm going to be no help at all! As much as I admire other people's prtty bags, have no patience for the constant switching in my own life
.
I have two bags -- a big one and a small one. Both crossbody. Both black and very lightweight. Right now I have ditched my wallet and use the small crossbody bag for everything. It has my cards, keys, driver's licence, gloves, hand sanitizer, tissues. Usually lip balm. I used to always carry gum, but I don't feel like popping gum into my mouth while I'm out anymore...

The big bag used to get especially heavy use when I traveled -- can stuff a lot more in.

I actually have a couple of other small crossbody bags and a couple of evening bags, but they don't see a lot of use. And I have a woven tote if I use in summer (at least I used to) for carrying a few things back and forth from the office.

kellygirl

Veteran

I have been rotating between two crossbody bags every 3-4 months. I have a grey RM camera bag that I probably wore straight for a few years. The pebbled finish really helps keep it looking good. I almost donated an old fossil turquoise cross body but swapped out the strap and now I like it again. I've been using that for the last few months. I only have my key, a chapstick and my wallet in it. M-F I tuck it into my work bag--it really only comes out for grocery shopping these days.

Preppy Pear

Veteran

This is fun!
I have two small crossbody camera type bags, two medium slouchy ones, and one large work tote. Happy with all five. I’d like more but I am picky and indecisive. Luckily, I am covered except for formal occasions.
These days, I carry:
Mask, cardholder/wallet, keys, sunglasses case, small bottle of hand sanitizer, phone.
Pre-Covid, I carried a small makeup bag with a mini hairbrush, lip balm, and sunscreen and a few other supplies, but I’m not out long enough to bother to touch anything up or needing an ibuprofen.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

The last several months I have only left the house for walks, urgent doctors appointments and short car rides (to a mailbox, having something put in our trunk).

I don't consider myself a bag person, but one time when I hadn't been out of the house, I seriously pondered changing my bag to match my outfit (navy bag, black outfit) when I was only going to be out of the house for a 10-15 minute car ride to the mailbox and back. Literally no one but DH would see me, and goodness knows, he wouldn't notice. When I take a purse to the doctors it's like seeing an old friend.

During walks my husband has been carrying a small backpack with my stuff in it. At first it was in a small crossbody, then the crossbody was in the backpack, and then it became evident that there was no need for the crossbody.

Pre Covid I carried a LePilage. I have them in a light gray/blue, navy, and black. I carry the first two in spring/summer and sometimes fall, and the black in fall/winter. I have a large black quilted bag with a heavy gold chain strap that I wear for weddings and such. 2 nylon cross body bags for walks, and a lot of bags that very rarely see use, that are all small, older, and still in perfect shape. And a black Nordstrom nylon bag with red handles that cost $30, included a key ring strap and a pouch. I used to have 2 all black ones also, but I wore those out. I actually prefer them to the LePilage for everything except having space for books and sweaters, but I assume Nordstrom stopped carrying them when they realized that other bags were more profitable.

I always forget to transfer what's in the interior pocket, usually my phone, when I change bags, which is why I tend to use one bag at a time.

Anonymous

It’s interesting how covid has changed how we use our bags , or not ! When I’m out working , I use a large tote for catalogues and an iPad , then chuck my personal stuff into that tote - either in a smaller purse or just as is . Adding a hard case for sunglasses , hand sanitizer and something to hold a mask , reading glasses and a container of water - it all get to be a bit much . First step for me will me to force myself into the small pouch system , and into setting up a tray on which to empty my purse each day .

Brooklyn

Veteran

I do what Carla does - I unload my bag when I get home. When I go out again, I load it up again as I leave. That way it’s easy to take a new bag. I carry phone, card holder (I’ve abandoned wallets), hair comb, lipstick, mask, hankie, sanitizer, sunnies. Plus shopping bags if I’m going shopping. For dog walking I have separate bags but I switch those out too (but then I don’t bother taking as much eg the comb and lipstick).
I do sometimes have to search for “lost” lipsticks. Sometimes they hide from me at the bottom of the bag and they end up staying there.

Anonymous

I have 2 bags I'm using now, my cognac MK and my medium size peacock purse. I carry a little RFID wallet for cards, my phone, keys, "lady of childbearing age" supplies, sunglasses, packable shopping bag, mask, and hand sanitizer.
Little samples of makeup, hairbrush and everything else stay in the car.
When I have to work in the office though, it's a different story. I carry a distressing amount of stuff with me

Synne

Veteran

I have started doing what Runcarla does. As soon as I get home, I empty my bag and place everything back in it's proper home. And hang my bag fresh and (semi-)cleaned back in the closet. No more mysterious lint, lost keys, dried out lipstick, forgotten half eaten candy bars and the likes...

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I keep a lot of stuff in my car, honestly. For work I try not to carry a bag, so I don’t have to wait to get it checked when my shift is over. If I’m carrying a lunch it’s just in a plastic grocery bag. I have a small wallet that fits in my pocket and that, lip balm, my keys and my phone all fit in jeans pockets for work.

Crossbodys were my go to for dressier occasions and outfits with no pockets and they’re still what I gravitate toward. I’ve got 10-15 of them but most are from Target or similar. I have a small zip bag with toiletries that migrates from bag to bag, along with wallet, keys, phone, and any notebooks or my kindle I might need.

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