The Incredible Shrinking Handbag

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Yes! I don’t really go anywhere anymore apart from walking so it seems redundant.

I’m nosey and trying to see what the Tabitha Simmons looks like but not sure I’m finding it - any chance of a link please?

I can totally relate, I’ve recently switched from my MK tote to a river island shoulder bag. My shoulder is definitely happier! I never realised the tote was so heavy til I switched, it hasn’t even got much in it!

Yes - I'm using a Whistles mini backpack. Fits purse, phone, keys, masks, sanitiser, shopping bag. It would just about fit my kindle. I carry the bare minimum now!

At this stage all I need is a large pocket. Cash and coins have become redundant. I have far less to carry.

Yep! I use Apple pay for everything so all I really carry now is my phone and car keys. Even when I'm out with toddler DS I have a cross body bag that I can just about fit a nappy and a travel pack of Water Wipes in.

Am due back to the office soon after 6 months WFH and am already dreading lugging a heavy bag around again with my laptop and lunchbox in.

Yes! I have gone to an over the body coach handbag which I've had to use a card wallet in its so small my body is so much happier from it, I'm also using a fossil leather backpack really liking that too rather than lumping my big bags.

I have sunk even lower than that and swapped for a bum bag. Wel a pretty one, not cruise tourist syle, but still. Fits phone, cards and keys, keeps hands free and doesn't dangle around.

I'm liking the look of some belt bags... Fancy bum bags really aren't they.
I like going out without a bag

Yes a small bag from matalan with phone and keys (use phone for payments). Only issue is I get dehydrated very very quickly so usually want to also carry a bottle of water so end up taking a larger bag :(

What about sanitiser though? Even the small ones are quite bulky.

Yep, I have shoulder issues and have learned the bigger the bag, the more i feel I "need" to carry.

In lockdown I treated myself to a mulberry small amberley with the money I was supposed to spend on a weekend away. Its perfect! Fits purse, phone, keys, mask and kindle.

Do what men do - don't carry it. It's bloody everywhere.

I've got a small bottle of sanitizer manages to fit in my small bag and two face masks. And I have another bottle in car just in case.

I’ve never been able to deal with those huge heavy bags. Small crossbody all the way for me. Obviously I’m delighted to be in fashion again.

@IvyEf - unfortunately few womans clothes have the pocket options of the average male outfit. (And before you tell me to buy mens clothes, I am far too small, plus I don't see why I can't have clothes designed for my body that allows for me needing to carry the same amount of stuff as the average bloke, phone, keys, purse/wallet.)

Small bag, and always favouring any brand that does pockets.

I've been thinking about this for a while, got serious back issues which makes carrying my usual suitcase handbag difficult but hate putting all my stuff in my pockets and worry about my phone getting pinched out of my jeans back pocket.

So inspired by this thread, I just ordered this and I'm rather excited that I'm about to be much lighter (well, bag wise anyway ).

I'm not sure about the comparisons with men on this one. DH carries a reusable shopping bag in his hand if he's going straight to a shop but otherwise uses the one in my bag. See also hand sanitiser and portable charger. He wears bomber-type jackets with inner pockets which none of my jackets have, even when it's a bit warm. His wallet is the same size as my purse. He also used to take a shoulder bag to work, with a book, lunch, bottle of water etc. I'd rather carry a small backpack than have phone, keys, wallet, mask weighing down a the pockets of my clothes.

Where from @fishdonthavefingers ?

I'm not sure DP has more pockets than me if we're both wearing jeans and a jacket... Most of my skirts and dresses have pockets too but I hate the unsightly bulging - which men often have too

Love the colour @FishDontHaveFingers!

I pity men for being "bag free". I'm sure that's why they are so disorganised. I always know where essentials like phone/ keys/ sunglasses/ money (and now masks and sanitizer) etc are- they are in my bag. People- not just men- who don't use a bag tend to leave their essentials in different places- coat pocket, that day's clothes pocket, hall table, kitchen work surface, bedside cabinet bla bla bla - and then it's easy to forget them or forget where they are, and harder to gather together again when leaving the house. Just have a bag. They're great. It's easy.

I have a Troop bag. Big enough for purse, phone, small sanitizer, pen , lipstick. I love it.