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?

To answer those questions, I deliberately try not to bring anything to work and have laptop, paper, water, etc all there when I arrive. On the rare occasion I've needed to go and work at another site or lead a meeting elsewhere I'll pack a tote with the materials and equipment I need.

I read kindle app on my phone, listen to podcasts or I'll pick up a Metro or an Evening Standard at the tube if available, or just use the time to be mindful (old fashioned I know!)

Umbrella - if it's really pouring and therefore required I'll carry one. However I have a waterproof trench with a large hood which often works sufficiently well and a casual waterproof coat with a hood also. If it looks like a dry day with a chance of rain I can pop a micro umbrella in my coat pocket. I often buy mens' coats which have inside pockets!

(WHY don't women coats have inside pockets too!)

Just thinking I mostly use a bag at gigs! Keys and phone and no worrying they'll fall out my back pocket.

are you in the office five days a week?

tampons? pads?

Have never related to anything less! HOW do you cope without a bag? The bigger the better! Enough space for a book, water bottle, purse, phone, makeup, keys, snacks...

@Begaydocrime94 Haha, you are me 15 years ago! Plus I had full makeup bag, hairbrush, pens, chargers, spare tights just in case...!

@nootcoffee a couple of pads or tampons would be tiny no? Easy to fit into a pocket! No need to take the whole box along!

@SunsetSkylane Crowded places are when I'm most glad to be bag free actually! All I have to do is stuff my hands in my pockets. When I carried a handbag I had stuff nicked out of it a couple of times in a pub and at a comedy gig.

I use a bumbag or backpack
I find dresses with stuff in the pockets never sit well on me

I give my stuff to DH to carry - he often uses a small canvas bag which he refers to as his handbag. I have managed to get myself a reputation for forgetting handbags in pubs, public transport etc., so he doesn't trust me with valuables 😉

I never use a handbag, I just use my pockets day to day, when I absolutely have to have a bag I just go for a backpack

For me, this changed with the pandemic. I used to have a few bags and very thought of them as accessories. The pandemic gave me the experience of walking about unencumbered - what bliss!!!! I always have pockets, but I've also simplified what I need so it's not bulky, bank card, tissue, I only have 1 key, my phone, lip balm and my specs case that has either sunglasses of glasses. On the occasions where I've wanted a bag, day tripping, I've wanted something softer and more pliable than the old leather bag, so I now have two nice fabric carry-alls. BUT for work, it's quite a commute and I have to take my laptop and food in, so I bought a proper substantial back pack for this purpose. When I don't have that though walking about is pure bliss.

those pockets are beginning to get rather full as the thread evolves 😆

I use a backpack but if im going out out then try and leave it at home and stick inhaler, lip balm, card holder, and keys in pockets and have my phone in hand or on table.

On the rare occasion I've needed to go and work at another site or lead a meeting elsewhere I'll pack a tote with the materials and equipment I need.

I think if you WFH at all, the "other site" is at home so on your commute you have to have some kind of bag. I am in the office 3-4 days, WFH 1-2 days and often work in the evening as well. So laptop, charger and mouse comes back and forth with me in a rucksack, plus work notepad, pens, wallet. I have one of the Knomo bags like 90% of other female commuters in the city!!

On the weekends I use my coat pockets, but usually have a reuseable shopping bag too because I hate accepting disposable bags from shops.

I like going bagless if I have a coat with decent pockets, or for quick trips where I may just need my phone and house key. But in general I do use a bag. I pretty much exclusively wear the cross body style that sits close to my chest so I can have my hands free but carry my kindle, earpods, sanitary stuff, bit of makeup etc.

I hate the handbags you can only wear over your shoulder...usually with one hand to hold it up, those things are a faff!

How do you cope without a bag?? I need a tiny bum bag style crossbody at the least!

I’m think the OP is referring to times when men go without a bag as opposed to a work commute with a briefcase/ laptop bag/tote. She specifically said handbag, which is the item that women have lugged about for years as an accessory full of ‘woman stuff’, which men don’t carry, like make up and hair brushes.

Since lockdown, I rarely use a handbag, I use a phone for payments and have my kindle on there. I no longer take lipstick; lip balm, hand cream or a hairbrush around with me, in a bag.

i take it your commute using in to a city op?

@Iloveshihtzus I think you've nailed it. Obviously there are times like some work situations, holidays, airports and activities involving the kids when a bag is needed. But if it's just me going somewhere social, or the shops, at the weekend etc, then no bag is needed - hence, no handbag.

There are times when a bag for me is unavoidable, like going into the office - need my laptop and a notebook/pen etc. have a rucksack for that.
I take a gym bag to exercise.
Other than that, days out, nights out, going for dinner etc, totally bag free. Just need my phone and e-cigarette. Ecig usually goes in my bra 😂 and phone either goes in a pocket or held.
I hate being loaded down with a bag, end up carrying so much unnecessary stuff and weighing myself down. No thanks.

I use a commuters ruck sack for work , lunch , water bottle , travel mug, small brolly . If I am going out then I use a very small rucksack . I rely solely on public transport so tend to carry everything I 'might just need' I have a clear out about once every 2 months !

I can't imagine not using a handbag. I've tried to cut back on the amount of stuff that I carry in it since having back surgery, but at the very minimum if I'm out for any length of time, I need my hairbrush, small makeup bag, purse, house keys, car keys, deodorant, hand cream, medication, pencil case, tissues, earphones, and phone.

Phone and keys in pocket

You're lucky! I usually had to take a whole pack, plus wipes 😕

I do sometimes use a bag for carrying my laptop and iPad for work. Mostly though, I just take my phone (with a card holder), a key and my inhaler. I don’t bother with make up and faff. It’s much easier.