Do women carry handbags anymore?

[lightnesspixie]

Just this. I’ve just bought a small padded sweaty betty crossover bag because in recent months I just take my phone everywhere not even a wallet and use my pockets for this. Wallet etc is all on my phone. But ive recently wanted to take my kindle out with me and it’s a tight fit in pockets. So I bought a small bag. I’ve got a few old ones I might put on vinted. But will they sell? Who actually uses a handbag nowadays? Not talking about a work tote. Just a handbag in the old fashioned sense. Would be interested to hear what ppl now do.

I didn't think anything of using a bag until recently. I wear a small cross body one. I realised a few weeks ago that everyone younger than me in work - 30s and below doesn't have a bag at all.

I can't see how this would work for me, very little of my clothes have pockets!

I am still in the changing bag era so no handbag sadly, I do have a teeny phone cross body thing for when I cba to find a ringing phone at the bottom of a bag full of toddler supplies.

Crossbody bags galore here. Small and medium sized ones depending on what I need to carry. Clothes don’t necessarily have secure pockets so even if only carrying my phone and keys I need a bag. Medium sized bags if I need to carry a bit more such as a purse, make-up or a book. Backpacks for day trips / walks. I have just bought a decent sized purse and store my cards, coins, tickets and receipts in there - it’s been a game changer; I use it all the time. Still find it incredible that women’s coats and jackets don’t always have inside pockets.

I have a small leather crossbody bag, that I've had for years, that I use day to day. More so in the summer when I don't have a jacket on and am in shorts and dresses/skirts. It fits my purse,phone, keys, sunglasses in. If I'm going to the supermarket my purse goes in the shopping bag, keys in my pocket. I once put my purse on a shelf in The Range as I was looking at picture frames, walked off and left it, only realised 20 minutes later as I was leaving (thankfully it was still there) so I now take a bag of some sort with me.

I use a large tote for work, it fits everything I need for the day in.

I then have various other bags, some smarter than others.

I think most women use a bag. I’m not sure many women carry a traditional Mrs Thatcher handbag by the handles - it’s backpacks, satchels, cross-body bags, shoulder bags, tote bags. So you still have your hands free.

And yep I have a “nice” satchel for work, a bigger shoulder bag that holds a laptop (I don’t usually have to take it in) and a couple of cheap bucket bags for days out where I have to carry a lot of kids’ stuff. Plus various running/hiking/snowboarding backpacks.

This. I stopped using handbags a while ago and just have a small crossbody bag.

Mostly I use a bumbag for going out. But use a handbag if just going to town
If I'm just nipping to the shop I dont. Never have a handbag in a supermarket

I would still count that as a handbag

Gave up handbags during COVID.

I bought a crossover more recently, but I still tend to forget it and make so with my very unsexy, but convenient work rucksack.

I don't really use handbags anymore. I use my laptop bag or a small cross body bag for shopping/sightseeing. I do have a small black Prada bag (24 years old!) which is still lovely and I use it for work if I am going to an event but it's rare it's sees the light of day! I only need a phone, key and a card a whole bag isn't worth carrying.

I stopped using a hand bag about 15 years back because of neck and arm pain , and because I live so rural I have to drive everywhere so my car has all the bits and bobs I might need

However I have now succumbed to a lightweight cross body for when we go on city breaks

TikTok is literally full of young women showing off their handbags. If anything, I think it’s more likely to be older woman who don’t bother anymore. Maybe they get back pain, or maybe they are less fussed about appearance, or don’t bother carrying makeup etc.

To me crossbody bags are handbags!

I use a bag every day. I would feel naked leaving the house without it.

I have about 8 or 8 beautiful leather bags & most come with a detachable long strap & can also be worn on one shoulder.

I also have a few gorgeous clutch style 'going out' bags in fabric & leather & i also use them regularly.

Day to day i use a Whistles leather Bibi cross body bag, its really excellent

For work i have an Ally Cappellino leather tote which i adore. It just gets better with age.

I’ve got numerous small/medium leather cross body bags: used for phone, car keys, house keys, tissues, purse with credit and loyalty cards, driving license, paracetamol, nail file, pens etc. I don’t understand why everyone wants pockets in their clothes - just ruins the line and looks bulky.
I’ve only got one traditional handbag which I don’t really use any more.

No bags here, just my phone and keys in a pocket

I don't have a handbag in the technical sense as in the old fashioned type, but I do carry a bag with me whenever I go out, it has to be one with a long crossbody strap as I hate things being in my hands. It's been a kipling large superworker for over 10 years now, it's still going and only just starting to show age on the bits where the handles join and the edges where it's brushed against walls and goes through the wash about 2 to 3 times a year. It's got many many many years left yet.

Other than work I don’t use a bag.
my work bag is one of those ugly but perfect mark jacobs tote bags, the right shape and structure for my laptop, any other paperwork, my water bottle stands upright in it with my glasses case propping it up and my headphones.
Weekends and day to day when I’m not working I don’t use a handbag. Phone and keys are all I need and they fit in a pocket. I hate carrying stuff and don’t want to be weighed down with unnecessary things I don’t need.

I usually use an over the body bag

I always have even a small cross body one - phone, small hairbrush, tissues, etc., besides 2 small card holders - credit/ debit cards and sundry memberships.
I heard just the other day of someone who had her phone grabbed and she had absolutely everything on it - it was a colossal PITA.

Those who are not handbag users but wear make-up, where do you keep if when out and about?

I don't touch up my make once I have left the house.

I have a lot of large bags that cost a fortune (Chanel etc) that were given to me for birthdays but never use them as now all my cards are stored on my phone so only need a small bag! Never getting a big one again what’s the point?

The most I ever need is lipstick and that fits anywhere!
I mostly use the Uniqlo crossbody bags (in many many colours). Its just the right size for everyday.
I find I just dont trust pockets, no matter how deep they are Im worried things will fall out....unless they have a zip, like a bag.

Obviously she's saying how do you not know if people carry handbags if you are a person who leaves the house. It's something that you can see the answer for everyone you come across

I haven't done a survey of my friends like a lot of other posters have so I can give you an absolute answer for everyone but when I'm out in a group I'm no way the only one with a handbag