How to use a giant handbag

[Chameleon2003]

I was given a really lovely big leather bag as a birthday present which I want to use.

Everything gets lost though because it's so big.

Where do you put your keys/lipstick/brush to stop them just rolling around the bottom?

Thanks.

Get a grab bag - like a makeup bag, but softer, made of fabric. All the handbag essentials go in there (wallet, lipstick, keys etc). The rest of the bag is for big things like cardigans/book/iPad/whatever.

I have as ghost describes, but have one for keys, work pass, purse etc and a different one for plasters, sanitary stuff, nail file, eyeliner etc. That gets moved into whatever bag I'm using (assuming not a tiny one) to save the grimness of tampons unwrapping themselves in the depths of a cavernous space.

For my tote bags I use several pouches to carry different ‘sets’ of things.

So one for my small hairbrush, a hair tie or two, plus some clips.

One for my lip balm, perfume, compact mirror and tissues.

One for my keys.

A small make up bag.

That way I can quickly locate what I’m looking for.

Oh yes plus a little pouch with several tampons.

organiser like this

more organisers

A handbag insert like this to keep things tidy

Oh yes organisers are good too. I prefer pouches because they can be transferred more easily between all my bags of various shapes and sizes. But if this is your one big bag then an organiser would work very well.

I think this thread has just changed my life! What a great idea!

Another vote for the little pouch inserts, they also work well if you can double them up as a clutch bag.

Yes they are great. Good for beach bags too.

You can of course have multiple bags for various purposes but I like to travel light. I refuse to carry plasters, tissues, full makeup kit on a daily basis but that’s just me! I find it a bit grandma to carry everything around.

I’ve no longer got any need to carry a huge amount of stuff around with me, so to be honest I hardly use my bigger bags anymore. But I still love them (and they were expensive!) so I bring them out every so often to show them some love and attention. 🥰🥰

In my current day to day bags, I only have one small pouch for my keys and sometimes a small make up/care bag. I hardly go out anywhere except for quick trips to town or walks out in the country where I only need the bare basics.

Brilliant - thanks everyone.