Do use a handbag still

[rainydogday]

Since paying by phone has taken over and less use for cash or cards I never seem to use a handbag. Off I go with just my phone and coat with various things tugged in pockets. But I feel that I need to re-organise my self. Do you still have handbag, purse, phone all separately? The last purse I used was a massive spotty cath kidston one!

Depends what I'm doing. I've set the contactless limit to £50 so if it's over that then I'll need my purse.

I've also had an issue on the tube where Google pay just stopped working so I was unable to tap out so ended up being let out and paying the top price for the day so will take my purse now for backup

I have 2 mini bags that I use, a tiny clutch or a cross body if I've going shopping and want to be hands free.

I usually only carry my phone, house keys (2keys), trolley fob, tissues and lipbalm.

My phone is my car key, wallet and store cards so I only need my purse if I'm using cash which is extremely rare. I used to have a massive bag I now love travelling light.

I use over the shoulder bags mainly just so my hands are free.

Always a cross body bag.

Phone
Pens
Notebook
Hairbrush
Make up bag with lip balm, ibuprofen, moisturiser, mascara
Keys
Water bottle
Purse for cash or when app doesn't work
Kindle

Never leave the house without it all!

I don't feel the need for all of those things, but I live in a village and would wear a waterproof parka with zip pockets rather than a wool coat so no need of an umbrella. I can get a drink at work, I don't reapply make up, we have mirrors at work and I never use hand sanitiser. Phone and keys go in my pocket.

If I am going shopping or for a walk I can easily go without a drink for a couple of hours.

Rucksack for commuting to work.
Otherwise, stuff in pockets or at the most a small crossbody bag.

I find handbags so uncomfortable to carry and they seem quite dated. I used to have a selection of totes, shoulder bags and actual handbags and I’ve got rid of the majority.

Yes, I love bags and have too many loads of them! Most are from my pre-COVID working days but now I’ve retired I probably should scale down. I usually use a cross body but have several totes for shopping, days out, etc.

I have one very beautiful handbag that I use if I need/want to take more stuff out with me. I often just use pockets for the essentials though.
I use a handbag more often in winter as it's somewhere to stash my hat and gloves so I don't lose/forget them. I also like to have a diary and notepad on my person as that's how I organise my life. I'm not a phone bod.

I have a large leather workbag that I couldn't do without. Lots of compartments, everything is safe.

I also have a hands-free waist bag for concerts/festivals/busy pub...this has come in handy a good few times. You can dance with it on. Belt bag.

I think possibly totes and shoulder bags would come under the classification of handbags.

I got a new bag for Christmas, a small cross body one and I am trying to get back in the habit of keeping stuff in there. I WFH and for the last 4 years my life has changed so much, I don't go nearly as much and don't put in half as much effort

I'm a bit puzzled by the phrase handbags are "frumpy and mumsy"?
They're one of two things: either an accessory as part of an outfit, a practical solution to carrying around essentials, or a mixture of the two.
I need a small handbag (cross body) at work to carry round essentials - my work clothes don't have large, secure, zipped pockets.
You'll find that there's still a market for stylish bags, some very high end, but that's a personal taste and lifestyle choice.

I think if you're working from home, you'll have less need. I need one at work for my work keys, home keys, wallet, tissues etc.

I always have a bag I've never got into the phone in pocket thing as it feels odd to me. Very rarely if I'm just popping to the shops will I leave a bag at home

Yes yes yes. Handbag for security. My life would be very stressed if I lost my purse or phone.. So it's all secured in my bag. Never ever in my pockets

Pretty much always

If I'm wearing a coat with pockets big enough I just put phone, keys and airpods in the pockets. In warmer weather or with lighter jackets or for longer trips out when I want to take more stuff I use a small bag, at the moment it's always the Uniqlo cross body ones, mine has a card wallet, nylon shopping bag, purse with lipbalm, paracetamol etc in it, handgel etc.

I don't routinely carry water bottles, hairbrushes, make-up, umbrellas etc, heavy bags make my shoulders ache and can lead to bad posture. If it's raining I'll take an umbrella and if it stops I just slip the strap over my wrist and carry it that way.

Yes,it is essential.
pashmina
work phone
personal phone
pens and post it
lip balm
handcream
work pass and keys
kindle
oyster card
ear buds
water bottle
laptop & charger

I always have a handbag. Only for phone, card holder, keys, car keys, lipstick and plasters.

I only use a bag at the weekend - WFH 3 days a week and take my laptop rucksack on my 2 office days. A shame as I have 101 (cheap) bags which I love! However when I do use one, there's not much in there, just my phone/keys/glasses.

My coats have very deep pockets, so I'm less likely to use a handbag in winter. All I need is my wallet/purse, and in that are cards (i don't use my phone to pay), lip balm, a tissue and house key. And my phone goes in the other pocket. But in warmer times of the year i still use a handbag.

What i feel is being wasted is my one bigger handbag it was new just before the pandemic and my intention was to use it for commuting, carying book, lunch, etc., but since the pandemic i have to carry files and a laptop so i use a back pack instead. So that one big handbag will be pristine at my deathbed as its only use will be on planes.

Yes, for work and if going out for an extended period to carry the kitchen sink in (ibroprofen, tissues, umbrella, paper and pen, antacids, work keys, home keys, car key, folded up shopping bags ....

For the evening staying here in town I tend to put my phone in my pocket and dp has the keys to the house or I have a tiny bag for summer dresses

I think since lockdown bags have gone the same way as heels for a lot of people. That’s certainly my observation, anyway.

They’re not always comfortable/practical and there are better options (a backpack or small crossbody bag or pockets).

Men don’t lug around tote bags full of crap on one shoulder, do they?

I don’t often see women with handbags day to day. It’s backpack/cross body small bag central. But I commute in London so maybe they’re all getting their handbags out at the weekend?!

I would say that a cross body bag, however small, is still a handbag.
I think possibly people on here have got different definitions.
Certainly people working from home have no need of any kind.

A crossbody bag or backpack is still a bag, DH uses a small backpack. Teens usually stuff phones and stuff in pockets, I did sometimes when I was young, way before phones. I also didn't often wear a coat.

I haven't carried a "handbag" in many many years. I used to maintain a naice laptop bag for work, but these days I cycle so I use a commuter backpack. In the winter I keep everything in pockets quite easily and often I'm only going out with phone and keys now anyway. In the summer I throw things into one of our many canvas tote bags or I have a few small crossbody bags for kindle, headphones, phone etc. If we're going out all day with the DC and need snacks, a book for them etc, one out of me or DH will carry a backpack.

I actually kind of regret that my lovely leather briefcase/laptop bag doesn't get used for work these days, but cycling to work is sooooooo worth it.