When on Earth do you wear purses? - YouLookFab Forum

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When on Earth do you wear purses?

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I see photos of YLFabbers wearing purses with their outfits, and bloggers the same. And I'm just wondering, is this daily for you, or only on special occasions? They look so small, and I think there must just be an apple, a wallet and a lipstick in there.

I ask because I struggle to find a use for my purses outside of dates. For my work, I need to carry a backpack, because I have teaching materials, and I'm on the bus. And on weekends, it's a large tote, so I can carry around my library books and a water bottle.

I love how purses look, but I just don't see the practicality.

Dressing

38 replies

Latest reply was from SW prof

Aquamarine

Veteran

I carry a purse all the time. I drive most places so need my license and credit/debit cards, plus my phone. I carry tissues, chapstick, Purell, sunglasses, and misc other things. It’s rare that I don’t have a purse with me. Bonus points if the purse is cute or goes well with my outfit.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

ALL THE TIME, unless I am at home. I have 26 wardrobe pets and swap them out daily.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Uh, every day that I leave the house. My handbags hold my wallet, biz card holder, keys, phone, notebook, and pouch with necessities like lipstick, gum, etc. Somtimes also a water bottle and book.

Some days I’m carrying extra and use a tote rather than a small purse. I have a pretty sizable collection of bags to go with various outfits and for various needs. But I think everyone needs to find whatever works for them! Some of my friends only ever need tiny clutches; others seem to need the equivalent of a small suitcase every day.

delurked

Veteran

Every day. When needed, I may switch to a larger one or carry an additional tote. I try to keep them as lightweight as possible, but am not a minimalist.

Christina F.

Veteran

I wear a purse every day. When I leave the house to do errands in my neighborhood (walking, since I live in NYC), I use the smaller ones. For work, I need medium size at least, with an occasional tote bag supplement for lunches.

jussie

Veteran

I carry a medium size hobo for daily use. For me purses are just for special occasions.

Echo

Veteran

I carry a handbag daily in which I carry a wallet, brush, keys, sunglasses, lipstick and generally a few random other things. I have quite a collection, from medium sized shoulder bags to smaller clutches, and I try to switch them out regularly, depending on the outfit.

Nebraskim

Veteran

I always carry a purse/handbag to hold my wallet, sunglasses, phone, tissues, keys, pens, etc. I do not put things in pockets. I prefer a medium to small shoulder bag. Recently I purchased a small clear purse to carry to sporting and concert venues, as they are requiring these now in our city.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Sometimes it’s practical to carry around a larger bag and a smaller one, especially if you’re commuting. It’s much more convenient to have an extra bag that allows various cards to be easily accessible than to have to fumble in a larger bag during rush hour.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Daily. A large one. So large it can carry my sweater if I get warm, a notebook, and more stuff than most can imagine. DS2’s fiancé carries only an ID, lipstick or gloss, and maybe a credit card.

Gigi

Veteran

I wear a purse every day. I have a medium-sized satchel that I carry. When I have more stuff to lug around (say, thermos with hot water for tea, plus a snack), I take a large black cloth bag with me in addition to the purse.

In your case, I would recommend wearing a small purse, in which you carry your wallet, sunglasses, lipstick, etc., and putting the rest of the stuff in the backpack or the large tote.

rachylou

Veteran

Actually, this is quite the problem for me. I’m a minimalist with pockets and don’t truly need a purse. I’ve been making an effort tho and have been using my purses to carry lunch. Lol!

Greyscale

Veteran

I didn't use a purse until my 30s. In college I had a backpack for class, and I wore big men's jeans so I could just put my wallet and keys in my pockets. In my 20s I had a nice small messenger bag that fit a notebook for classes, umbrella, light sweater. But the messenger bag was too heavy for an injured shoulder, so eventually I got a purse.

Now I have a very minimal leather crossbody (as a Find below) that carries my sunglasses (my eyes have real problems with California sunlight), wallet, iphone, keys, and a tiny pouch with chapstick, a few pills, and bobby pins. Some days I also carry a backpack with my laptop, a sweater, etc. On those days I also carry my purse rather than consolidating into one bag, unless I'm riding my bike, in which case the purse goes into the backpack and then I'm constantly wrestling with it to find my wallet for the subway, my sunglasses whenever I go outside, etc!

If not for the sunglasses I might try to go back to just pockets but I always end up dropping my phone when it's in a pocket so that's probably a bad idea...

For a while I had a larger, classic purse, an awesome Coach station bag I got at a consignment store. It could hold my notebook, umbrella, etc, but it was too much to carry around daily and I felt too fancy. I'm a scientist, and I'm one of the few women carrying a purse when I go to a lecture. Most people probably leave theirs in their office / desk but again, the sunglasses problem... I just can't step outside without carrying them.

I'm intrigued by the leather belt bags that are trendy this year. I could picture using something like.

Baggu Leather Crossbody Bag

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4

tulle

Veteran

Almost every time I leave the house, unless it's just for a walk to the Post Office. I have about a dozen bags: 3 large ones for traveling or when I need my computer with me; six crossbody bags (tan, gray, black, turquoise, pewter, and my newest, maize yellow) mostly the shape and size of books (varying from paperback to hefty novel); and 3 clutches, for dressier occasions when all I need is a comb, mirror, handkerchief and lipstick. The crossbody bags are my workhorses. They hold my phone, wallet-with-keys, Kindle, pen, comb, blush and lipstick, all I usually need around town.

Aurore

Veteran

I usually carry a medium-sized handbag for work (for me medium-size means roughtly 30x20cm / 12x8in) and a smaller, crossbody bag for running errands. And a clutch for classy occasions.
My bigger bags are either beach totes, or gear rather than stylish items.

Style Fan

Veteran

Always. I carry around a lot of stuff and need to put it somewhere. I wish I could get away with a smaller bag but I can't fit everything in one of those.

Lesley

Veteran

Is there some lingo variation here? I think of a purse as a non-backpack women's bag, which can be huge or tiny. I carry one every day... doesn't everyone? How else would you schlep all your stuff??? I'm a mom, so mine has to be pretty roomy—I also have giant things for some reason. Giant sunglass case, giant wallet (like George Costanza), then hand sanitizer, wipes, keys, makeup, ladies' essentials (ahem), phone, pen, passports (living abroad at the moment), tissues, planner... it's kind of ridiculous. I will probably have shoulder problems some day as a result.

I only in the past few years discovered about myself that I hate changing purses, so despite my love of color I'm better off getting one neutral, go-with-everything bag per season, that way I can get as wild and crazy with shoe colors and outfit colors as I want and never feel like I have to change my bag. I know lots of people find purses to be an integral part of their daily look and change up regularly, but I think in the end I'm more of a Shoe Gal.

Bijou

Veteran

Every day I use a small hand bag to carry my daily essentials - phone, wallet, sunglasses, lipstick, comb and tissues. Sorted!

Anonymous

Purse everyday , everywhere......... only way to carry life saving medications.
And all my other stuff but first and foremost meds!!!

Anonymous

I have a bag with me at ALL TIMES.

During the work week, I carry totes that may or may not have a smaller clutch or wristlet inserted to use during lunch time/evenings. The decision to include a clutch depends on the day's scheduled activities.

On weekends, I like to use a dressier satchel. I may also use a backpack for trips to the gym. Again, the days's scheduled activities inform the decision.

For special events, I carry a very-special-to-me clutch.

It is not unusual for me to carry two different bags in a given day. I have a really handy bag insert that allows me to switch out bags in less than 30 seconds. I have been doing this for so long that it is literally second nature to me. When I am carrying a smaller clutch or satchel, I only include the essentials.

I know a few women that do not use bags of any sort. That works for them. I feel naked and distressed if I don't have a bag with me. I should note that I include totes, briefcases, and backpacks as part of my "bag" collection. They are all essential to my lifestyle and complete an outfit.

You may not need smaller satchels. That would mean to me that you are in a phase of life where you need to be prepared. Prepared for work. Prepared for family. Prepared for life. That may change as your life needs change. Perhaps in the future, you may see adding a smaller satchel to your wardrobe as workable. I see life as a constantly evolving process. What works for you today may not be as necessary tomorrow.

cindysmith

Veteran

Every. Single. Day.

My life is in my bag. Driver's license, bank card, checkbook, credit cards, folding hairbrush, phone, tablet, vape mod (e-cig), several ink pens, tablet, power bank in case my phone needs a charge, a stainless steel refillable sharpie, chapstick, the occasional pocketknife, my inhaler and other meds, and generally a few snacks. In winter, add gloves and earmuffs.

My bag is also large enough to hold a couple cloth reusable shopping totes, a bottle of water, a knit hat, and a cardigan in addition to the usual gack. I also have a bag big enough to hold my 19 pound dachshund if needed (although that starts getting into muscle injury territory LOL)

Last week, we had severe weather roll through at my work (which is a fruit stand located in an old barn). It was a relief to know all I had to do was toss my phone & ecig into my bag and run for the bakery next door to seek shelter when a tornado warning was issued. If I have my bag, I can come out the other side of any disaster without a meltdown. That incident did make me realize I need to add some of my anxiety meds to the pile of back in there. I might need a bigger bag LOL

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Liz

Veteran

I"m also wondering if there might be a difference in language here. I don't think of "purse" only as a tiny thing. I carry a purse every day. For work, I also carry a tote for my laptop and papers. However, I don't consider a purse part of my outfit, because I drive to work in a car, and then the purse hangs in a corner of my office all day until I drive home.

If you need to carry a lot of stuff and want it to look good, you might stop shopping for a tote or two that you really like.

FWIW, I buy my purses large enough to fit a book, notebook, or water bottle in them.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I commute on foot and sometimes transit or train. I carry a bag every day, but it's large. Large enough to fit my laptop (if needed), a notebook, a reusable shopping bag, a water bottle, a small makeup bag, a sweater or scarf or hat (if I take those off), my keys, my phone, my wallet, and more! In other words, it's a big tote, a hobo, or a backpack.

If going out at night or occasionally on weekends when I need less, I have some other bags, smaller and less bulky on my small frame. I show my large ones below.

Rebecca Minkoff Isobel Leather Hobo Bag, White

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9

Rebecca Minkoff 'Bryn' Double Zip Hobo

$295.00 $117.97

Sale

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17

Longchamp 'Large Le Pliage' Tote

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6

Quilted Rucksack

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Jules

Veteran

Different lifestyles definitely require different bags. Car vs transit is a huge distinction. Toting a laptop to work on the subway is a pain and I still have not figured out a stylish bag for that. Then I still need a professional looking smaller purse for stepping out for coffee or work lunches during my workday. Then add in a possible trip to the gym on the way to work, and suddenly my bag is very full.

I do have high hopes for this Roots wallet bag (basically a wallet that looks like a small purse with both a cross body strap and a handle) that I picked up recently, but I haven't used it yet because it's in my summer colour palette and doesn't work with my winter stuff at all - another layer of complication. I think the design is quite clever - the SA told me he spoke to the designer about it, who said he used a lot of input from women about their needs.

https://www.roots.com/ca/en/be.....60011.html

Basically, I have learned that I can have either one purse/bag that does everything, but doesn't look that great most of the time, or I can have several bags for different seasons, looks and uses.

Eliza

Veteran

Daily. Never leave without one. I have a collection of sizes, shapes, colors and degree of structure or formality. Some go with me only on date nights, others go everywhere. I sometimes throw a tote in the car if I'll be out and about, want a small bag with me, but need the option of accessing larger items.

LaPed

Veteran

I have a small crossbody that I use whenever I don't need my laptop or teaching materials or scripts etc (geez, gig economy, anybody?). If I'm carrying any of those things I use a large tote. Or a backpack when I'm leading hikes or working at outdoor school. But I much prefer smaller bags whenever I can get away with it. In the winter I often end up with everything in .y coat pockets, since they zip, but most women's clothing pockets really are not big enough for smartphones, unfortunately...

Anonymous

Depends on what's up that day. If I'm carrying a laptop , ipad, catalogues, calendar, and other assorted things, then both a purse and a tote seem unwieldy . On those days I throw my wallet and phone in my tote and go out like that. I can't stand fumbling and dipsy-doodling with a bunch of things to carry. Nothing makes one look less capable and pulled together . For other occasions/weekends/evenings , yes, a purse definitely gets used.

Kate

Veteran

When do I not wear purses is more like it. I pretty much have one with me every time I leave the house. I love purses and have a large wardrobe of them. In fact, last week I bought two more: a cool gray purse/backpack, and a lemon yellow crossbody bag. I switch out my bags to go with whatever I’m wearing. My purse necessaries are card case (no wallet), glasses, sunglasses, iPhone, tissue holder—a leather case that holds a pack of tissues, and one of my most useful purchases ever!—lippie, chapstick, tiny mirror, breath mints, keys. With a minimal amount of stuff, it’s easy to go from one bag to another.

rebekahphoto

Veteran

I'm like lots of these fabbers: I have a collection of medium-ish purses that I select from and carry every day. (I don't rotate them all that often) My clothing does not all have enough pockets to carry the basics!

In my purse are the daily necessities: wallet, eye/sunglasses, lipstick, phone, bus pass, pens, bandaids, maybe a little notebook

I commute by bus and also carry a tote that has my lunch, books, laptop if necessary, files. umbrella, hat etc. for work

I have some smaller, crossbody, fun "going out" purses, that I generally only carry the necessities: wallet, cash, lipstick, keys

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