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!

I use a rucksack. For special occasions I have one smart handbag only.

I don't take an umbrella unless it's raining when I leave the house or the office and it will be a full size walking umbrella, not anything you can fit in a bag. But, generally I don't like the faff of an umbrella.

I don't do umbrellas either. I wear a coat with a hood or just deal with it.

I live in a very rainy place and wouldn't want to be dripping wet!

Yep. A cross body with wallet, phone, keys, lip balm, paracetamol, Tissues and a shopping bag folded up. I also have a backpack one and a mini one, depends what I need.
I'm still looking for something for the summer, canvas in a light colour maybe.

Local police advised a friend to carry her keys and purse in her pockets not her handbag. That was some years ago so now I suppose it's keys and phone. I only put in a bag stuff that is replaced fairly easily. I use a fabric tote if I need a bag as I don't like the weight of a handbag.

Surely its easier to pick a pocket rather than a zipped up cross body bag?

A zipped inside pocket?

Tricky in the summer, also when I'm at work. My work jackets and trousers only have small pockets.
Anyway. Personal preference - I don't like bulging pockets.

It depends which pocket, a zipped inside pocket is the most secure but not many clothes have them, DH buys clothes with these in but they are found much more on men's clothes than womens. Your phone hanging out of the rear pocket of your jeans would not be what the police meant. A deep front trouser pocket would be fairly secure

That's what I see a lot, @BobnLen - women with a phone half inside a back jeans pocket.

Always make sure it's across your body though, I saw a bag snatcher drive past a woman on holiday, hang out of the car and grab the bag that the woman had hanging loosely from her shoulder by the long strap. We had a lucky escape because it had originally followed us but I had my crossbody bag securely held to myself as they looked dodgy when they parked and followed us, they then ignored us jumped into the car and snatched the easy to get bag. This was in Tenerife

Yes, I've heard stories like that about Tenerife.

I think those who don’t use bags are more popping somewhere for a short time, not going to the office for 8 hours.

for work days, I usually have - small purse, phone, keys, work pass, small pencil case (yes, I need more than one pen, this is a common thing for people who don’t have a regular desk to carry), notebook, tissues, kindle/book, water bottle, small pouch with plasters, paracetamol etc, another small pouch with sanitary towels, hand cream, hand sanitizer, lippy, lip salve, face powder, umbrella, reading glasses, snacks.

sometimes I also am organised enough to take a packed lunch. In the summer, remove the umbrella, add sun cream and shades (or as we live in Britain, keep the umbrella)

I have, however branched out into nice rucksacks for carting all my crap about. (Just as fashion magazines tell me that young people are embracing the tote bag again. )

Yes it was quite scary and has made me very aware since then of looking after my stuff when I'm out.

@Teasie123 - if it’s pockets you are after, Radley is probably your best bet.

Goodness, it must have been. Awful for that poor woman who was probably on holiday.

I carry a small bag in summer or take a bum bag when out walking. A phone in a zipped inner pocket in a parka in winter isn't noticeable.

I think those who don’t use bags are more popping somewhere for a short time, not going to the office for 8 hours.

Yes, you are right @FancyBiscuitsLevel.
I wouldn't take a bag if popping to a friend's house for coffee for example.

I am surprised at how much stuff people carry though. Unless I am driving a long way or going to the zoo for the day, for example, I wouldn't normally carry a bottle of water around with me. I might carry a lipstick if out for the evening and then forget to reapply it

Winter isn't a problem, is it, with all those extra pockets! Although as I said, at work, I need to carry a few things around - smart work clothes don't have such useful pockets. I've noticed some colleagues with bum bags, although that may annoy me more than a cross body.

I love handbags and never leave the house without one, unless it's just to walk my dog.

I often take a rucksack into the office for practicality, but I really don't like them. It makes me feel like a big kid.

If I didn't have to carry a laptop then I'd much rather take a nice handbag

When I was in London in the summer all the city bods were carrying a rucksack for their laptops. They didn't look like big kids.

Yes! I have quite the collection and it helps pull outfits together for me. I sometimes base an outfit based around a bag that I want to wear.

We are so different . I don't view a bag as a fashion accessory, but more as something practical to cart stuff around. However, I did buy one to go with an outfit for a wedding last year.

Always carry a bag, although nowadays it's mainly crossbody. And not too big, and definitely not mumsy 😆
Even for going for a walk I bring a bag, but it's more like "bumbag" - I like the ones from Uniqlo or Ganni for example.