What do Women Keep in their Handbags?
69Discipline called for
A few days ago, someone picked up my handbag and said (in a scandalised tone) 'Whatever is in your handbag?"
I replied, "Essentials".
Later, I wondered what I might have accumulated to make my bag so heavy. So, I tipped out the contents onto my bed to catalogue the contents.
Oh dear - this was dire. The train ticket that is visible in the photo was about 2 weeks old. Buried under some of the old receipts, tissues and redundant notes was an airplane boarding pass that was 2 months old.
When I worked in an office, I used to clear out my handbag every few days, because I would change bags to match my outfit. Now that I am at home all the time, my standards appear to have slipped!
The only useful things that I can see in this photograph are my glasses, a diary, a hair brush, lipstick, nail file and some pens. Okay, the tape measure might have been useful, but surely I don't need it on a daily basis.
Oh, and I guess the house keys are a necessity - but I also appear to have the key to somebody else's house.
I don't know why I needed 2 packets of tissues and a hankie, as I didn't have a cold, nor do I have small children.
handbag clutter
Ideal handbag contents
I think that it should be possible to get by with the following in my handbag:
1. purse (with money inside)
2. house keys
3. mobile phone
4. car keys if I am going out in my car
5. hair brush OR comb
6. lipstick
7. tissues or handkerchief
8. reading glasses (if you are lucky, these will not be on your list!)
Items that I am tempted to throw in
The trouble is, to feel secure, I like to carry around a few more items. My list includes:
1. appointments diary
2. small torch (flash light)
3. tiny scissors
4. nail file
5. powder compact
6. folding umbrella
7. wet wipes (useful if you eat sticky chocolate, bag of chips, etc)
8. emergency rations, eg chocolate, hence need for wet wipes
9. at least two pens and a pencil
10. asprin
Make sure your handbag is up to the job
Give yourself a head start by choosing the right bag for your needs.
See our Hub on Choosing a Handbag. The content has recently been copied by a Chinese site. Maybe this means out hub is good. (I like to think positive.)
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Comments
It's good to know I am not alone! Thanks for your comment.
You certainly aren't alone - clutter expands to fit the size of the handbag!
I think that clutch bags are going to be fashionable this summer. That might cause a few of us to downsize the contents of our bags!
It's funny, I just changed handbags and had to go through the same process. It amazed what I found in there! New bag right now, clean for a few weeks I expect. Maybe working and changing handbags to match the outfits has some advantages, however small!
Enjoyed the hub because I think this is so true of most women.
Since writing this Hub I have bought a handbag liner, a sort of cloth pouch with pockets.
The idea is that you put your essential 'stuff' in the liner, and it is easier to change bags.
trouble is, I still accumulate rubbish that I certainly don't need to cart around.
Thanks for your comment.
This is such an entertaining hub! Love it! I store so much unnecessary clutter in my bag, but you can guarantee it will always come in useful! I always have with me my phone, tissues, keys, make-up top-ups, strepsils (I'm prone to a sore throat), other lady things (!), hair brush, nail files and, like you, random cinema or bus or train tickets that are long since expired!
...I don't understand how men don't need to have a bag with them too, though...I'm lost without a handbag...
Great hub, Daniella
Hello Daniella,
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
I know how Wonderful Husband manaages without a bag - he gives things (like his wallet) to me to carry!
anjalichugh says:
12 months ago
I did the same thing recently...getting rid of the clutter. My husband used to remark that I would have to spend a whole lifetime searching for a particular thing in my handbag, when the need arises, considering the redundant stuff in there. I could at once relate to your article when I read it. A good one.