Not owning / using a handbag

[notabaglady]

I'm mid 40's and haven't carried / owned or used a handbag for about 15 years now. I just wondered if there are any other bagless ladies around on this board? I saw a few threads about bag trends / whether to match bags with shoes etc, and I thought I'm so glad I don't use a handbag!

The way I see it is, if men can do it why can't we? Without a bag my hands are always free, my posture is better, I have one less thing to worry about. It means that any dress I buy must have pockets, so I make sure of that, but I'm generally a trousers person anyway.

When I used to carry a handbag I found it gradually got more and more full with bits I "just might need" but never really did, and I would periodically need to clean it out. I was forever losing things like my office pass for work, my keys. phone, tickets etc but they were always just at the bottom of my bag. I also invariably ended up using the same bag every day because having to switch all my things over to a different style / colour bag in the morning would have been a faff. Also my boyfriends were always asking me to carry stuff of theirs, since I was carrying a bag already. I actually got a bad posture as a result of always carrying my handbag on one side.

One other positive is that bags can be really expensive items if you care about fashion so I've probably saved a fortune!

I would never go back to using a handbag. Anyone else? Or any bag ladies interested in joining the dark side?

I own a few backpack handbags - but prefer to go without if I can, for similar reasons to you! Helps that my phone has pretty much replaced the wallet now.

i use a mini back pack
wallet
water bottle
phone charger
hair brush
powder and lipstick

and usually my kindle

i wouldn’t be without it

I couldn’t be without a bag, doesn’t having to keep everything in your pockets make your clothes lumpy? At a minimum I would always need phone, keys, tissues and lip balm on me.

I always have to carry lots of tissues as I suffer nosebleeds so would be hard to carry them without a bag as they would fill my pockets.

I make sure my keys are small - just the two door keys no spare ones I don't really need on there and no big fob. (When I used to carry a handbag my keys looked like a jailer's, and then I thought what are all these anyway?!) Phone is flat, lip balm tiny (if I take one). One tissue is enough to tide me over till I get to my destination.

I don't use a handbag. All I need when I leave the house is my phone and the car key.

I need a bag for my laptop, I usually use a rucksack. If I’m just popping out to the shops, meeting someone for a quick drink, then I put my phone and keys in my pocket. It’s easier in the winter, summer dresses don’t have as good pockets (the light fabric isn’t ideal).

do you ever wear jeans? and you’re office pass

It wouldn't be for me as I have reading glasses so they always need to accompany my phone. I don't like relying on my phone to pay for things so have a purse with my bankcard. Wouldn't want to keep bankcard with my phone as wouldn't want to lose both together! Half the time I also take a brolly in case of rain.

I think a lot of men rely on bags too. I used to commute on the tube and saw a lot of men with a rucksack or shoulder bag. So not sure I'd agree that most men don't use them.

I hate a handbag 😂😂😂😂. Always have! I do use them for holidays. Now I have Apple Pay on my phone I rarely take my wallet - but my wallet/purse is the size of a credit card so fits in my pocket.
if I do need to take a bag it’s this one: https://rokalondon.com/collections/chelsea

I can fit phone purse and a few bits of make up.

I go 'bagless' for short trips out where I will only need my phone and a car/house key, but agree with others if I am out for a longer period of time I like to take other bits (water, tissues, make up, spare contacts, chewing gum etc etc), for which I need a bag...

@DancingLions I think the men with bags on the commute are carying things like laptops and gym stuff mainly (if my partner is representative)! But I still reckon most men don't use a bag for normal everyday outings and socialising.

I'm a backpack woman! Need my arms free too! Haven't used a girly handbag in years but I do like a bag

do you take a lot of public transport?

do you ever bring anything to work? breakfast? fruit? lunch?

and if you commute… you don’t ever read? i’d have been lost on my commute without my book!

unbrella?

Me! I have up after being able to ditch the nappy bag and never looked back!

I HATE handbags! If I have to carry one it's a cross-body bag but it always swings into the way of whatever I'm doing. Sometimes I use a mini backpack, but usually I just choose clothes with big, zip up pockets and everything goes in there. I only carry my phone (with all cards in), my keys, a lipsalve and a tissue anyway, so those will all fit in my pocket.

That horrible sensation as your handbag swings forward when you're trying to carry a tray of hot drinks enrages me beyond all mortal understanding - I'm cross again now just thinking about it!

I commute and everyone has a bag - men almost universally have a backpack, a messenger bag or sometimes a canvas tote bag. Women about 50/50 backpack/handbag.

What I have definitely seen the demise of is the women's large leather "statement" handbag on one shoulder. When I started work in 2008, it was all Birkins and Mulberry Bayswaters and those things weigh an absolute tonne even when empty! I think a Birkin is 2kg empty.

exactly

for every woman with a bag
is a man with a bag

on my commute

Had a brilliant holiday in New York once where I wore this big army coat the whole time that had loads of pockets and I didn’t need a bag the whole time! It really altered my mindset and felt I’d been brainwashed into thinking I needed a handbag.

If I can get away with no bag, I do (easier in winter with big coats). Otherwise I have a neon pink mini Nike backpack (on days that I want to bring a drink, snacks, cardi etc).

To the point about men not needing them - my dad always has worn at the VERY LEAST a bumbag (yes) or a rucksack whenever out and about so I’ve never really seen it as a gendered thing.

I couldn't manage without a handbag. Work and personal phones, pen, office key and pass, house keys, car keys, lipstick, compact mirror, purse (this cd be smaller). Plus I have a rucksack for my laptop and work papers, water, coffee, lunch, umbrella.

I have a couple of handbags but never use one.
Backpack for work and a different one for shopping.

I only use one of if I can't cram everything into my pockets! And I'd never ever spend decent money on one either, think my most used one is from Primark or New Look!

I think designer bags look awful 99% of the time, and tbh I mostly assume they're fakes.

I generally have something with me whether it’s a bag, backpack or cross body tiny thing.

phone and card carried separately.
lip balm or lipstick.
couple of tablets and a sanitary towel in just in case (thank you to the blessing that is perimenopause and immune system disorder).
charger cable and battery pack if away for a big day trip.
foldable ikea shopping bag.
glasses for driving/walking!

it depends on the day/occasion etc as to what I want with me. Rarely go out with no bag but that’s more an adhd comfort/control thing I think.

i just use a small crossbody bag now with the bare minimum in it.