Unutterably Silly Ladies: Why are purses so large???!

[nikkie]

So I carry a purse. My current purse is cat-shaped. It has a tail. It's about 7" across for no reason other than that that's how big the $5 cat purse on etsy happened to be.

I personally tend to go through a purse in about 9 months. By that time, the snaps, seams, zips, whatever, are coming apart. So about once a year I find myself wandering the aisles of the nearby Target, Fred Meyer, whatever, in search of something to put my stuff in on my way to work.

My purse carries:

• My keys
• My debit cards, insurance cards, etc.
• My phone
• My ultracompact camera
• Any random receipts forced on me by stores that I haven't thrown away yet.

Personally, I find this takes maybe 6"x4"x4". The purses I find at the stores are usually MonstrousxHugexGigantic. So I find myself wandering the aisles wondering why there's never anything sensible.

I can understand that mothers of young children may want and or need the giganto bags, but the rest of us? Really? I just don't get it. What do you put in there? Is it your overnight bag? I thought for a bit that maybe I could shove my iPad into some of them, but they're not really shaped right for it.

Does anyone else have this problem? For those of you that buy the monster bags, don't your backs hurt from carrying them? Has anyone found a source of sensibly sized bags that seem durable?

*baffled*

[Jcas]

I have a reasonably big bag, it has an across the chest strap so the weight tends to be distributed a bit better for carrying.

I use a bigger one as i cart my G11 camera, iphone, and Kindle 3 if i'm going anywhere that i may have to wait.

I also carry a wallet equipped with the usual cards etc, my heart med, and my migraine meds, so as you can see a little one would not be so suitable for me .Mine is the traditional shape, no cat shape here, the dogs would get jealous ...

[Seanette]

Originally Posted by nikkie

So I carry a purse. My current purse is cat-shaped. It has a tail. It's about 7" across for no reason other than that that's how big the $5 cat purse on etsy happened to be.

I personally tend to go through a purse in about 9 months. By that time, the snaps, seams, zips, whatever, are coming apart. So about once a year I find myself wandering the aisles of the nearby Target, Fred Meyer, whatever, in search of something to put my stuff in on my way to work.

My purse carries:

• My keys
• My debit cards, insurance cards, etc.
• My phone
• My ultracompact camera
• Any random receipts forced on me by stores that I haven't thrown away yet.

Personally, I find this takes maybe 6"x4"x4". The purses I find at the stores are usually MonstrousxHugexGigantic. So I find myself wandering the aisles wondering why there's never anything sensible.

I can understand that mothers of young children may want and or need the giganto bags, but the rest of us? Really? I just don't get it. What do you put in there? Is it your overnight bag? I thought for a bit that maybe I could shove my iPad into some of them, but they're not really shaped right for it.

Does anyone else have this problem? For those of you that buy the monster bags, don't your backs hurt from carrying them? Has anyone found a source of sensibly sized bags that seem durable?

*baffled*

Mine pretty much qualifies as a piece of luggage, and I don't have kids. Normal contents:

Cell phone, case attached to outside of bag so I can actually hear the thing ring.

Small end pockets contain hand lotion, hand sanitizer, pepper spray, asthma inhaler, flashlight.

Outside snap pocket contains sunglasses, reading glasses, glasses-cleaning wipes

One outside zipper pocket normally contains paperback book

Other outside zipper pocket holds, shall we say, "feminine needs", ibuprofen, hairbrush, nail care tools (file, scissors, etc.)

Main compartment holds wallet, camera, iTouch (when out and around), tissues, cough drops, GPS (reminds me, I need to make sure it's got its clock sorted out now that we're off Daylight Time), walkie-talkie, pens.

Inner zipper pocket holds eyedrops for contacts, gum, mints, small tin with Claritin, Imodium, safety pins

There's also a tether for my keyring attached to interior zipper pull.

I spent quite some time commuting via public transit and got in the habit of carrying all likely needs during that hour-plus on the train/bus. I do use nearly everything listed frequently enough to justify hauling it around (and other items I hope not to need, but prefer to have just in case). I like multi-compartment purses because it's easier for me to organize stuff enough that I can find what I need with minimal rummaging.

[JaneD]

I have always admired women who carry small purses. I don't know how anyone can get by with just the items you've listed above. My wallet alone would take up the whole 6x4 dimensions you quoted.

I look in my purse and don't think it's full of stuff, but certainly more stuff than you carry!

My best suggestion would be to check out something like Lesportsac. You can get them at almost any department store, and they come in the most amazing variety of sizes. Plus they are light as a feather and won't add any weight to the stuff you're carrying. (Not that it sounds like you have that problem.)

http://www.lesportsac.com/

And WHAT are you doing to your purses that they wear out so fast?

[SneakySnake]

This is a newer version of mine. Mine has the leather strap. I always buy leather bags. they last longer. The sling is great, hands free and not too big.

[Sweetpea]

I hate purses. I prefer a backpack. I never understood the fascination of some women for purses (or shoes for that matter). I probably only once carried a purse, and that was a borrowed one from my mother, on my wedding day.

[nikkie]

@JaneD: Part of it is probably that they tend to be specialty purses of a sort since I can't find anything I like at the department stores. The $5 purse from etsy was made out of a pillow from an anime convention. The previous one I had found in Leavenworth (German tourist trap) on sale...it was leather but the magnetic snap ripped off after a few months of constant use.

The rest? Probably this.

@Sweetpea Backpacks are great, but don't they seem like overkill sometimes? Then again, I guess if you're carrying enough to fill most of the department store purses, maybe not!!

[GraceKrispy]

I only started carrying a purse after I had kids in my late 20s. My current purse is somewhat large, I guess. Nothing compared to what I see in the stores. The only rule (I buy a new one every year or so) is that it must be big enough to comfortably fit my 505.

I am not really into purses or shoes at all. I use them, and therefore I must buy them, and I'm actually pretty picky about them (the plainer the better).

Considering I spent most of my formative years a tomboy to the (almost) highest degree, I've come a long way towards exploring my femininity. I even wear a necklace now and again, and occasionally a spot of makeup as well.

[nikkie]

Originally Posted by GraceKrispy

I only started carrying a purse after I had kids in my late 20s. My current purse is somewhat large, I guess. Nothing compared to what I see in the stores. The only rule (I buy a new one every year or so) is that it must be big enough to comfortably fit my 505.

I am not really into purses or shoes at all. I use them, and therefore I must buy them, and I'm actually pretty picky about them (the plainer the better).

Considering I spent most of my formative years a tomboy to the (almost) highest degree, I've come a long way towards exploring my femininity. I even wear a necklace now and again, and occasionally a spot of makeup as well.

Impressive! I keep telling myself that I'm a professional now and ought to be wearing makeup and maybe jewelry sometimes. But then I forget. Or am too late running out the door. I think about how nice some women look when they get to work first thing in the morning...it must take hours!

[SneakySnake]

Originally Posted by GraceKrispy

I only started carrying a purse after I had kids in my late 20s. My current purse is somewhat large, I guess. Nothing compared to what I see in the stores. The only rule (I buy a new one every year or so) is that it must be big enough to comfortably fit my 505.

I am not really into purses or shoes at all. I use them, and therefore I must buy them, and I'm actually pretty picky about them (the plainer the better).

Considering I spent most of my formative years a tomboy to the (almost) highest degree, I've come a long way towards exploring my femininity. I even wear a necklace now and again, and occasionally a spot of makeup as well.

necklace! Me never one of those! I did buy some eyeliner recently because I discovered that it detracts from the saggy line (Jim Lehrer style) under my eyes!

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by nikkie

@Sweetpea Backpacks are great, but don't they seem like overkill sometimes? Then again, I guess if you're carrying enough to fill most of the department store purses, maybe not!!

You have backpacks in various sizes... More like a daypack. It will fit my readers, wallet, and maybe two cartons of milk (if need be, to show the size...)

Something like this:

Spoiler:

[rebarnmom]

Originally Posted by Seanette

Mine pretty much qualifies as a piece of luggage, and I don't have kids. Normal contents:

Cell phone, case attached to outside of bag so I can actually hear the thing ring.

Small end pockets contain hand lotion, hand sanitizer, pepper spray, asthma inhaler, flashlight.

Outside snap pocket contains sunglasses, reading glasses, glasses-cleaning wipes

One outside zipper pocket normally contains paperback book

Other outside zipper pocket holds, shall we say, "feminine needs", ibuprofen, hairbrush, nail care tools (file, scissors, etc.)

Main compartment holds wallet, camera, iTouch (when out and around), tissues, cough drops, GPS (reminds me, I need to make sure it's got its clock sorted out now that we're off Daylight Time), walkie-talkie, pens.

Inner zipper pocket holds eyedrops for contacts, gum, mints, small tin with Claritin, Imodium, safety pins

There's also a tether for my keyring attached to interior zipper pull.

I spent quite some time commuting via public transit and got in the habit of carrying all likely needs during that hour-plus on the train/bus. I do use nearly everything listed frequently enough to justify hauling it around (and other items I hope not to need, but prefer to have just in case). I like multi-compartment purses because it's easier for me to organize stuff enough that I can find what I need with minimal rummaging.

My purse sounds a lot like yours, except I carry my Sony Reader in it instead of a paperback! Having a child I also carry small games in it for those times she and the other kids are bored and us moms are still busy enjoying our visit.

I should weigh it sometime, because everyone seems to comment on how heavy it is! That's why the first thing I do when I go in a store is grab a shopping cart to push my purse around in!

Most people know that if they need something, I probably have it in my purse! I'm happy with my current $10 Wal-Mart purse. I love the compartments! My "perfect" purse would be a sling style (which I've had in the past) for the hands free experience. If I could add a long strap to this one, I think it would be perfect. But I'm always on the hunt for that perfect purse! Then I usually have a canvas tote bag with me for the occasional extras, but it usually stays in the car. If I'm mall shopping I do have a tiny hands-free purse for the bare essentials or a fanny pack which I keep in the car as well.

[Bilbo1967]

I don't have a purse, because I'm male, but I would just add one thing to this thread on the topic of the differences between US and UK terminology.

What you are talking about would be called a 'handbag' in the UK. A purse is the small wallet type thing for ladies that holds cards and money and stuff (what would you call that by the way?). I know it's slightly off-topic, just thought you may be interested.

Let's not even think about the 'fanny pack' as mentioned by Rebarnmom

[Seanette]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

What you are talking about would be called a 'handbag' in the UK. A purse is the small wallet type thing for ladies that holds cards and money and stuff (what would you call that by the way?). I know it's slightly off-topic, just thought you may be interested.

I call the object that holds cards, cash, my checkbook, and similar my wallet. I'm a lifelong resident of the West Coast (there are regional variations within a country this size to consider as well).

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by Seanette

I call the object that holds cards, cash, my checkbook, and similar my wallet. I'm a lifelong resident of the West Coast (there are regional variations within a country this size to consider as well).

Ah, that would be a purse here in the UK. A wallet is similar, but slightly different and only carried by men.