The average woman owns 7 handbags. 19% say they use their purses as a distraction to hide behind on fat days, 16 % use it as a security blanket, and 30% feel bag envy.
The purse in the post is the one I’m using now. I’m very fickle when it comes to purses and I buy them if something about them catches my eye. This one is totally fun. I do have a few that I always fall back on and some I’ll only use once or twice and something about them I don’t like causes me to hang them in the closet. I’m constantly changing purses.
What are your “must haves” in a purse? Do you buy a lot of them or do you only have a couple? What does your bag say about you, and what is the single most unusual item you carry in it?
Us Girls..Our Views 
Soon after our son-in-law was KIA our daughter began buying Coach purses. They made her feel good. I think she has over THIRTY now!! You do the math. Clearly she is not average. Lol
I don’t use a purse/handbag. Normally I just carry what will fit in my pockets. A credit car holder, keys, maybe some cash, a comb, some kleenexes. Sometimes I will clip my Blackberry to my jeans. If I’m in a suit and don’t have enough pockets, then I will put the overflow into whatever work bag I’m carrying. I have one or two small bags that I could use if I “had” to carry a purse, but the last time I actually carried one was probably at least 10 years ago.
I maybe buy 1 once a yr… Just a small one too. Nothing too fancy.
I just weeded out my purses. I think I have four left. I have, in a box next to me for Goodwill, 5 purses and 11 tote bags. (I will use a tote bag as a purse, too)
Yeah, I’m a bit of a purse-junkie, too. But I’ve slowed myself down in recent years, since the wreck, because money isn’t as loose as it used to be. My two favorites at the moment are a Sherpani bag that I got for Christmas (that’s my “Fall” bag, since it’s dark brown), and a thirty-One purse that I’m using right now.
we were in Kohl’s today, and had to go past the purse section. I actually was repeating to myself, “on by, on by, on by” (which is the command I use with Cruise when we’re out walking, to get him to leave stuff like dead animals alone), because I KNEW that otherwise, I’d go wading through those cute things and probably buy one. But I had Steve and Josh with me, and it was the first stop of a very long day. And Steve was already growing impatient with the shopping trip.
I will return. Oh, yes… I WILL return…
To answer your questions…
My ‘must haves’: must be able to go over my shoulder, or be a cross-body. I don’t like “handle” purses, because I need my hands free to fight off bad guys. It MUST be cute, and “cute” is a relative term based on my mood at the time. I must have pockets – can’t have just a big empty.
What does it say about me? I’m practical and fun. Most of my purses are bright colored, or have fun stitching on them. Most are cloth, as well. I only have one that is really conservative, it’s black with leather-like handles, and that one’s for interviews, weddings, that kind of thing.
Most unusual thing(s) in my purse: a mini leatherman tool, and a dollar that I found several months ago. I’m saving it for when I feel “lucky” – and then I’ll use it to buy a lottery ticket. Also, a lighter. I don’t smoke. But you never know when you’ll need a lighter.
Fist of all: Where did you get that bag/purse, Joy? Wow, I love it! So totally my taste.
I do have about 10 purses, big and small ones. Most times I get compliments on my purses. I love the ones who has small pockets on the front for my keys and cell phone. I do change purses also frequently. Last week I was in trouble because of that. I went to work and Dan dropped me off, I biked back home and when I drove into our street, I suddenly realize I had forgotten my keys. Big panic, because Dan works 40 miles down toward LA, he would come home around 7.00 PM and it was 1.00 PM. Still, I called him and he said he could be home by 4.00 PM. Phew. I decided to go shopping and had a great time!! He picked me up at that shopping mall, bike at the bike rack and we went home. So good to have such a wonderful and understanding husband. 🙂
I found this bag at a little craft type sale in our town Ellen. It’s a really fun purse and I love all the pockets inside. I love it and also bought a matching wallet. It’s one of those flat wallets and I’ve never had one like it but I love that too. It’s so easy to just grab that and run into the store. Plus, it’s bright orange and I love that.
I also got into Coach purses when they finally opened up an outlet store near me. I, however, never purchased more than one at a time like most of the ladies in line in front of me! They would have 5 & 6 purses on their arms waiting to check out! I believe I have 5 purses total (different brands) and I only use 2 of those regularly. I find my favorites and tend to stick with them. I love Joy’s purse though! Super fun!
I’m like SKL, I don’t usually carry a purse and make do with pant’s pockets. I always have some cash, once in a while a credit card, and some Excedrin since I’m prone to headaches. My cell phone is clipped to the waist band of my jeans/slacks. A leather cover with a clip is absolutely necessary for the phone and the one thing I’ll pay extra for.
When I did carry a purse I found it just got too heavy with a lot of unnecessary stuff and I couldn’t find what I needed easily. So why bother anyway, I asked myself. Course at the end of the day I often feel like the little boys in old movies that would empty their pockets at the end of the day, finding all kinds of things reminiscent of Mary Poppin’s carpetbag LOL! 😀
I have 3. One I never use anymore. I am not a purse buyer at all. I hate spending money on stuff like that. I found one at the Swappers Meet a couple years ago. This guy had a stand, selling knock off purses. One caught my eye and I had to have it. I think it was $30, and that’s the most I’d ever spend on one. I use that one regularly. I love it, and I don’t plan on switching any time soon! I have one other one that is smaller, and dark brown. That is more for going out.
I’ll only buy a new one if my other one falls apart.
Both my new “fun” purses are knock offs. I won’t pay that either. I think it’s super stupid for me because I’m fickle with purses.
I used to used tiny purses, the ones that held only the needed items and had really long handles that you could “wear.” I miss those. Now I use a messenger bag style purse that has lots of pockets and room for a small automobile. I don’t necessarily carry a ton of stuff, but the stuff I carry is much cooler than the purse.
Check out purses on FLicker.com… their are some really fun groups.