Sick of carrying two bags

[ILikeDinosaurs]

If you carry a backpack, do you carry a handbag too? Getting sick of carrying two bags around - one handbag and one backpack for my computer/work stuff. I want to find one BP for everything but I've never been able to make one work as my main handbag because you have to keep taking it off your back just to get out your phone and keys and stuff? What do you do?

(Silly topic, I know) Any recommendations for a decent backpack that's not at all annoying would be fab.

I carry a backpack on days when I need to carry my laptop. Just the backpack.

I keep my loose items (cards, cash, keys, lip balm, phone charger etc) in a little zip pouch with a wrist strap that I put in the backpack and then carry my phone in a pocket. I use my phone for payments, including bus and train fares and so generally don’t need to go into my bag during my commute. If I’m just popping out for a sandwich during the day I leave my backpack in work and just carry the little pouch with me.

These isn’t the exact one I use, but gives you a rough idea of what I’m talking about. Another big advantage is that when I’m not using the backpack the little pouch just gets transferred into whatever handbag I’m carrying and I always know that I have all the little things l’ll need and haven’t left things sitting in the bottom of my backpack.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Westford-Mill-Canvas-Wristlet-Pouch/dp/B086WMW5B6/ref=sr_1_16?crid=3UQZ3IR3A5SPU&keywords=pouch%2Bbag%2Bwith%2Bwrist%2Bstrap&qid=1692651427&sprefix=wrist%2Bpouch%2Bbag%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-16&th=1

I have a Kipling back pack and the ubiquitous Uniqlo cross body. The crossbody squishes into my backpack and then I take it out at lunchtime, or if I'm getting bus home.

Not enough of my clothes have pockets and I hate wearing a jacket in summer.

Why don't you look for a 'phone holster' or cell phone purse that has a strap at the back that attaches to the strap on the packpack, so it sits on your chest.

https://www.amazon.ca/Multifunctional-Storage-Waterproof-Crossbody-Shoulder/dp/B071FFPSWY/ref=asc_df_B071FFPSWY/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=335005865265&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10569026649739463071&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1001944&hvtargid=pla-596323926701&psc=1

Alternately you can get a sling bag with a pouch on the strap as well, like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGNNRYYW/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?pd_rd_i=B0BGNNRYYW&pd_rd_w=E5IlQ&content-id=amzn1.sym.386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pf_rd_p=386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pf_rd_r=1G7JEXRX775KC9CKN5D7&pd_rd_wg=ci43O&pd_rd_r=f040e0a1-ee5b-4992-a675-dc08b5c4cd4a&s=apparel&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzR1MwRlVYSUkxRjBRJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODUxMzgyMUgzS1UwSTMyOVJZMiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjc3MjI4MU04RlhJM0xQVUpXNCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbF90aGVtYXRpYyZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1

I know what you mean about taking off backpack to access wallet and phone, especially if you have a coat on, it gets cumbersome.

I value my own opinion more than what Vogue thinks @HundredMilesAnHour. That bag looks awful sorry.

Hmm that's a suggestion, thanks @mdinbc. It's really just the phone and keys I want to access easily. I could get a phone holder, at least it won't weigh me down

I carry such a heavy backpack ( breakfast , lunch, laptop, water bottle, umbrella, book, 3 x phones etc) that I prefer to use a crossbody bag for the smaller items. It means if I go out for coffee with anyone I’m not carrying multiple items in my hands or lugging a huge bag with me.

I'm struggling to find anything I like... I don't want a tote as I want to be hands free. I don't want a back pack (I have a big bust and it just makes them stick out even more). I want a cross body bag that holds everything. The only cross body bags like this are in the 'men's' section and don't have the pockets/compartments that I want for keys, lipstick, makeup bag, etc. there's a huge gap in the market!

(And that poo-brown slimey bag can be as popular as it likes with Vogue but it will never darken my doorstep!)