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Original poster

Needing to carry a bag less and less...

52 replies

Pheasantlysurprised · 03/10/2021 14:39

Anyone else?
Ive only just thought about it, but since many garments and jackets have deeper pockets now (thank the stars!) I am finding that I don't need the bag space I once did.
I used to live in the wilds of Cumbria so always had a backpack stuck to me, it contained a variety of gloves, neckwarmers, weather related bits and bobs, but now im elsewhere there hasn't been as much need.

So I have been on the lookout for a new, decent bag but simply can't be bothered paying a premium for something that isn't all that urgent to me.

Maybe a shopper is handy sometimes but it feels so curiously liberating to just toss stuff into my pockets and leave the house in a waft of lightness previously unknown to me! It feels almost rebellious, new, exquisite!

With smaller devices and more pockets, does anyone else think it might be less important to always have the right 'bag' nowadays? If you wear makeup even a small minimal pouch under the coat could take care of that. Or a nice inside pocket!

Thoughts?

OP posts:
NotImpossible · 03/10/2021 16:42

Yes! I can't remember the last time I used a handbag / shoulder bag tbh. Phone and keys in my pockets and shopper if I'm carrying anything else. It is quite freeing, isn't it?

Original poster
Pheasantlysurprised · 03/10/2021 17:49

I felt odd at first, having carried some sort of bag for a lifetime. Not using cash as much makes a difference too. Most of what we lug around is lighter now.

OP posts:
Soyouthought · 03/10/2021 17:53

I love not having a bag. I always hated being the ‘can you just put this in your bag’ person when we went out. Older kids now who I just say no carry your own shit thanks.

thefirstmrsrochester · 03/10/2021 17:59

Love not having to lug a bag around, I do only buy clothing with pockets and have more coats and jackets than I need as these offset the need for a bag.

Bontanics · 03/10/2021 18:05

Yep. It's like a challenge of how little I can carry around now.

Vickim03 · 03/10/2021 18:32

I bought a phone purse for the school run for summer months. Literally a purse with a pocket for your phone. Now it’s colder again it’s so nice just throwing on a coat, phone and card and keys in my pockets.

TakeYourFinalPosition · 03/10/2021 18:59

I’ve never carried a bag, unless its got my laptop in for work.

I’m now expecting my first baby and I’m a bit nervous about having a baby and a bag to keep track of!

citygirl1961 · 03/10/2021 20:48

I always carry bags. I have a small cross body bag with essentials in like my phone, purse, keys etc and then a tote bag with my brolley, diary, laptop, lunch for work, spare cardie etc. I couldn't cope with not carrying a bag. How do you manage?

honeybuns007 · 03/10/2021 20:52

@citygirl1961

I always carry bags. I have a small cross body bag with essentials in like my phone, purse, keys etc and then a tote bag with my brolley, diary, laptop, lunch for work, spare cardie etc. I couldn't cope with not carrying a bag. How do you manage?
Diary and purse now all on phone. Keys, phone and brolly if needed is all I carry
citygirl1961 · 03/10/2021 21:16

@honeybuns07. I use my phone diary but like to use a paper one aswell. I also have hobbies, like drawing and family history so I carry my laptop with me everywhere I go (it is a light one though). I'd be lost if I didn't carry these things as I like to use my laptop in cafes at lunchtimes. I do agree though it is freeing to not carry much.

BrilliantBulb · 03/10/2021 21:38

DP kept asking to put stuff in my bag so I’d end up carrying loads of things around. Stopped carrying a bag for a while so I wasn’t treated like a pack horse and found I really liked it! Turns out I don’t actually need half the stuff I was lugging about.

Sometimes it’s nice to have a bag full of bits and bobs though. A bit like a security blanket.

bigbaggyeyes · 03/10/2021 21:53

Since getting an iwatch I find I carry a bag less and less. I can pay for everything with either my phone or watch, the only other thing I carry are my car keys. So as long as I've got enough pockets for a phone and a key I'm good

RampantIvy · 03/10/2021 22:00

I have a small cross body bag with essentials in like my phone, purse, keys etc and then a tote bag with my brolley, diary, laptop, lunch for work, spare cardie etc. I couldn't cope with not carrying a bag. How do you manage?

Like the OP I find I have less use for a bag these days, and prefer to use pockets.

All store cards are on my phone, and I keep my debit card in the back of my phone case. I have bought a much smaller purse because there are occasions where I need some cash, and sometimes my railcard, driving licence and National Trust cards.

I don't use a paper diary, I just use my phone. I don't have a work laptop, I don't carry a brolley as I wear a waterproof coat with a hood if it is wet, and I don't carry a spare cardigan.

I WFH home mostly, but when I go to the office I carry my lunch, headset and work gubbins in a hessian M & S Sparks bag Grin

RampantIvy · 03/10/2021 22:01

Oh, and keys go in my pocket as well.

liveforsummer · 03/10/2021 22:05

I have a phone case that houses my bank card and driving licence and has space to stash some cash notes. That's all I've needed in a long time. Dog poo bags go in whatever pockets are available. Can't remember the last time I carried a bag that wasn't shopping.

RandomUsernameHere · 03/10/2021 22:27

I rarely use a handbag now. I don't have a wallet, so usually just take my phone and keys in my hand or pocket. We walk to school most days and I carry the DCs' bags so can't be dealing with a handbag as well!

Cactu · 03/10/2021 22:38

I have never liked to use a proper handbag and now no one else does I no longer feel like I’m womaning wrong. I notice many more women dressed very casually/sporty and a leather handbag just doesn’t work well with that look. You need a nice backpack or nylon bumbag.

Original poster
Pheasantlysurprised · 03/10/2021 23:27

Ha, funny thing is my DP never used to carry a bag and now he wont go anywhere without it. He once thought he'd lost it in a supermarket and almost in tears with panic.
Since then I have used one less and less as I just chuck things at him and ask him to carry them Grin

I can imagine it would be vital with small children, if you had a sketchbook, etc. The kind of brolly that is the size to fit in a bag usually breaks in a gust of wind. A decent windproof brolly never folds up small.

Im happy to hold my hat if I take one out now, or a little fold up cotton tote. I do like coats with huge pockets though!

OP posts:
BookShark · 04/10/2021 00:14

Book, umbrella, change of shoes, wallet that won't fit in a pocket, bottle of water...

And that's on a non-work night, if you're adding work into the mix then also notebook, charger, laptop etc.

Mind you, I think I'm single-handheld trying to keep heels going, so the change of shoes may be specific to me...

BookShark · 04/10/2021 00:16

Oh, and if with DD it's all of the above plus double for her (minus shoes). I'm basically a packhorse...

ToykotoLosAngeles · 04/10/2021 01:51

If I have toddler DS with me then I need spare pants and trousers, hat (woolly or sun), Fruit Shoot size bottle of drink, at least 3 snacks and a handful of Hot Wheels. However if it's just me and not a work day, when I take lunch, I still need phone, portable charger, purse, keys, couple of shoppers, and hand gel. I can't keep all that in my jeans pockets - I tend to wear cardigans and shirts rather than jackets.

Redglitter · 04/10/2021 02:39

I don't take a bag if I can avoid it. I stick my phone & keys in my pocket. I've got Samsung Pay on my phone so don't need a. bank card.

Redglitter · 04/10/2021 02:39

Should have said bank card or purse

ShrikeAttack · 04/10/2021 03:01

Things fall out of pockets unnoticed.

You don't forget your bag.

It's not a feminist win to not carry a handbag.

I certainly wouldn't be carrying a 'minimist pouch' of makeup in my jeans' pocket.

I carry a phone, cardholder and a lip-gloss in my bag.

I'm well past the young children stage.

gofg · 04/10/2021 03:34

I feel naked without a bag! I've never found a garment with big enough pockets to carry everything in - that might just be because I am getting older and need glasses, but also I carry painkillers, hay fever medication etc. at all times. I also have clothes without pockets so like to have my bag with me at all times - I can't imagine a time when I would never have a bag.