What Your Purse Says About You

As a woman, it is not enough to choose the perfect outfit, matching shoes, and fix your hair. You also need the perfect handbag. Purses send a message to the public. You need the right purse for your personality. I am sure you are wondering what does your handbag say about you? Oh, you weren't thinking that? Well, tough... I am going to tell you about it anyway.

After some extensive research... OK, not really, this is just my opinion... I have come up with some definite conclusions about handbags and what they say to the world. Through years of experience and opinions from everyone around me, I feel I can safely say different purses send different messages. Let's explore the world of handbags and the subliminal messages they send out to the world!

A small clutch is a super small purse; it is even considered a wallet by some standards. If you are carrying a clutch with you, chances are, you don't need to take much anywhere you are going.

A clutch says to the world, "I am going to a club or bar, and I am not letting a purse prevent me from dancing!" It is possible to take a small clutch to other events, but in general, dancing is going to occur when you see it. Something that small will never hold you back from the dance floor!

If you are using a small clutch, but not going to a fancy event or a dance club, I question your activities in life. Surely a person with a clutch has no need for a hairbrush or coupons. Shesh. What is up with that?

A small black, beige, white, or brown handbag says to the world, "Hey, I just need a place to keep my wallet, phone, and maybe some tampons." The little basic handbag shows the world you like to follow tradition and you don't need a lot to do it. The small basic handbag has a quiet dignity to it.

Even if you do not use a small handbag all the time, they are wonderful for certain occasions. A girl should always have one on hand for job interviews, weddings, funerals, etc. No one needs to see your giant brightly colored orange handbag at a funeral. It just isn't cool!

In my opinion, a designer handbag is a silly investment. However, I know a lot of people believe in buying a nice designer purse that will last many years. Some of you (and you know who you are!) would rather die than leave the house with a cheap purse.

I suppose the message you think you are sending to the world is, "Look at me! I have excellent taste!" The message you are actually sending to most people is, "I am materialistic!" Sorry, ladies... the truth hurts sometimes.

I feel like as time rolls on, purses are getting bigger and bigger. Perhaps it is just one of the signs of aging. As you get older, you just have a need to lug more and more junk with you everywhere you go. I call a giant handbag the "everything and the kitchen sink" look.

A bigger handbag says, "Yeah, I am getting older and I need a lot of stuff. Deal with it!" It also says to the world, "Economizing is not my thing." Sure, you totally need your wallet, your cell phone, feminine products, mints, a snack, lip gloss, some makeup, and a hairbrush; but let's be honest, that is not the only stuff in that purse.

Somewhere in a giant purse lurks items like receipts from 3 years ago, expired coupons, granola bars, random scraps of paper with phone numbers, a small box of Kleenex, and other embarrassing items. It needs to be cleaned out. Oh, and your entire stash of medical supplies could probably go, too. I say this with love, ladies. I, too, have a giant purse. I know these things.

A bag with bold colors or patterns is completely in style, but it also clearly states to everyone, "I like attention!" It is fun to be colorful, so I am not judging anyone, especially considering that is my plaid purse shown above. I am just saying a person likes to stand out when they use a handbag with crazy patterns or colors.

Some of you gals have taken the handbag to a whole new level. A large purse was not enough for you. No, it has gone too far. You have started carrying a tote bag or book bag as a purse. If you are in high school or college, this is totally acceptable. If you are not, then you need to scale it down.

A tote bag used as a purse tells the whole world, "I carry everything I own with me at all times and I have totally given up on having a fashionable handbag." This says to everyone you might be up for just about anything since you are prepared for everything. You already have that spare pair of shoes, an extra toothbrush, a chicken sandwich, and some hot sauce in your bag.

On the positive side, no one is going to try to mug you because you can beat them over the head with your 20 pound bag. On the negative side, you are starting to hunch to one side due to all the weight in that tote bag. My friend, it is time to cut down just a bit.

Copyright ©2013 Jeannieinabottle