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What are your everyday handbag essentials?

59 replies

mintbug · 18/02/2025 13:51

I'm nosy. What do you take with you wherever you go?

I stumbled across a Reddit thread on the topic which I read with interest but it was old and mostly American.

Mine:

Phone
Card holder with bank card and driving license
Portable charger
Keys
Sunglasses
Cotton tote bag
Hand sanitiser
Tissues
Perfume
Lipstick
Headphones
Mirror
Mints
Notebook
Pen

OP posts:
Gliblet · 19/02/2025 15:49

mintbug · 19/02/2025 15:32

Out of curiosity, how often do you need the spare knickers?

I used to carry spare knickers regularly (to deal with getting soaked while cycling, occasionally flooding on periods, occasionally getting stuck in central London overnight after late finishing events) but I stopped after I pulled my work ID out of my bag in Tesco, accidentally caught the spare knickers I'd forgotten were in there, and twanged them across the checkout area onto the chest of the security guard 😬

Balloonhearts · 19/02/2025 15:51

Purse
Keys
Phone
Nail file
Tissues
Heat pad
Paracetamol
Ibuprofen lysine
Codeine
Diclofenac (big guns)
Glasses wipe
Hair band
Sanitary towel
Emergency £20
Hair brush
Sunscreen stick

That's my handbag.

In the car, I also have

A folding knife
Spare socks
Spare boots
A jumper
A coat
A leadrope
Horse treats
Full first aid kit
Chargers for everything I could possibly need and have ever owned.
Sanitiser
Antibacterial wipes

mintbug · 19/02/2025 15:53

Gliblet · 19/02/2025 15:49

I used to carry spare knickers regularly (to deal with getting soaked while cycling, occasionally flooding on periods, occasionally getting stuck in central London overnight after late finishing events) but I stopped after I pulled my work ID out of my bag in Tesco, accidentally caught the spare knickers I'd forgotten were in there, and twanged them across the checkout area onto the chest of the security guard 😬

I'm sorry, that must've been so embarrassing but it really made me laugh.

OP posts:
festivemouse · 19/02/2025 15:56

@mintbug

I think I probably personally use everything once or twice a month (daily for things like the hairbrush and disposable toothbrushes!) and friends / colleagues use things about the same. Some would say it's anxiety / OCD to need to always be prepared, others would just say I would make a great scout.

I feel like your thread is giving me further inspo for new things to carry 😂

mintbug · 19/02/2025 16:00

festivemouse · 19/02/2025 15:56

@mintbug

I think I probably personally use everything once or twice a month (daily for things like the hairbrush and disposable toothbrushes!) and friends / colleagues use things about the same. Some would say it's anxiety / OCD to need to always be prepared, others would just say I would make a great scout.

I feel like your thread is giving me further inspo for new things to carry 😂

If you find more, please post an update as I am now invested in the contents of your handbag.

OP posts:
BebbanburgIsMine · 19/02/2025 16:05

Phone
Purse
Keys
Incontinence pads
Bus Pass
Naproxen
Inhaler
Nuromel
Headphones
Pen

elliejjtiny · 19/02/2025 19:32

Purse
Keys
Hearing aid batteries
Inhaler
DLA letter
Sometimes my phone
2 tampons and a pad
Book

EmmaEmEmz · 19/02/2025 19:55

purse
keys
Phone
lipstick
mini perfume
tampon
vape fluid
vape

reluctantbrit · 19/02/2025 20:20

Going to work:
wallet
phone
key
keycard for work
kindle
tissue
nasal spray
tissue and small plasters

Otherwise:

If I wear a jacket - no handbag

If I don't wear a jacket: small handbag with space for phone, wallet and keys.

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