Silliness Ladies: Why are purses so large???! - Page 2

kindlekitten · 11-09-2010, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

technically I think you mean a billfold? one where the bills are stored at full length and the device does not fold to go into a pocket? and also, I don't know if it is generational, or regional, but sometimes purses/handbags are called pocketbooks. my Grandmother carried a pocketbook, my mother a purse...

jbcohen · 11-09-2010, 09:33 AM

In high school there was a realy nice woman in my english class that had everything in her purse including the kitchen sink. Actually she was attempting to make a point about the fact that a lot of her female friends kept too much in their handbags. She would cary around in her handbag a very small model of a kitchen sink with knobs that would turn like a real one. Ocasionally she would set her bag on the desk and pull out the sink, when someone wondered what she was doing she would exclaim "what you never known a girl to cary the kitchen sink in her purse?" "I really do have everything in my purse, including the kitchen sink" she would exclaim. She had a real great sens of humor.

Bilbo1967 · 11-09-2010, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

technically I think you mean a billfold? one where the bills are stored at full length and the device does not fold to go into a pocket? and also, I don't know if it is generational, or regional, but sometimes purses/handbags are called pocketbooks. my Grandmother carried a pocketbook, my mother a purse...

I guess 'billfold' must be a US term as it would not be generally understood in the UK but that sounds like what I'm talking about, yes.

Pocketbook is a really confusing name. It's neither a book nor will it fit in a pocket!

Pookeysgirl · 11-09-2010, 09:49 AM

I have a medium sized purse which carries my reader, wallet (it's actually a planner/wallet so it's pretty big), my wallet has all my cards in it, even the ones I don't use everyday. I also have my "feminine needs" and a brush, nail file and makeup (which I rarely, if ever wear), my blackberry and keys. My biggest problem is that I end up with a bunch of change or old receipts that I've been too busy (lazy) to clean out. My purse weighs about 7-10lbs on any given day. I also need to buy a new purse at least once or twice a year due to rips in the strap or broken zippers. I try not to spend more than $20 on a purse.

kindlekitten · 11-09-2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

I guess 'billfold' must be a US term as it would not be generally understood in the UK but that sounds like what I'm talking about, yes.

Pocketbook is a really confusing name. It's neither a book nor will it fit in a pocket!

I think the actual term billfold might also be generational. I never really understood pocketbook either. I wonder if it is a leftover from when women's dresses had slits in the sides and you would have strapped on "pockets" underneath?

Pomtroll · 11-09-2010, 11:00 AM

I have a Tom Biehn small cafe bag which carries my:
wallet
Keys
Address book
pen
cellphone
& my e-reader.

It is probably the biggest bag I have had in a long time, but I wanted something to carry my e-reader in.

sakura-panda · 11-09-2010, 11:28 AM

I am very attracted to the idea of a small purse (or handbag

), but every time I try one out, within a couple of months it is breaking apart because it can not hold everything that I put into it.

I currently have Coach bag and have had it for over a year -- the longest I have ever ever gone without wanting to at least look at other purses. I'm still astonished at how well it has held up and what a good fit it is for me! However, it is on the larger side.

Today it has:
* My wallet -- which seems to be larger than 6x4

* 2 fold up shopping bags (fairly small)
* 2 cellphones (work and personal)
* an iPod Touch
* a tiny makeup bag -- only big enough to hold one lipstick and a nail file
* sunglasses (in a handy case)
* change purse (for going to lunch at work -- don't want to carry my big purse to the cafeteria. It happened to come with one of my past purses and is very cute.)
* travel wall charger for my cellphones (they use the same one)

I don't think that is terribly excessive. My wallet could probably be smaller, but it is packed full of reward and loyalty cards and I haven't figured out how to manage those so that I have them when I unexpectedly need them.

I can fit my Sony 505 in it, but I usually put than in my wheeled work bag so that I'm not carrying quite so many [heavy] batteries on my shoulder! I have not had any problems with my shoulder from the weight, but occasionally I pick it up just to move it and am astonished at how heavy it is.

rebarnmom · 11-09-2010, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbcohen

In high school there was a realy nice woman in my english class that had everything in her purse including the kitchen sink. Actually she was attempting to make a point about the fact that a lot of her female friends kept too much in their handbags. She would cary around in her handbag a very small model of a kitchen sink with knobs that would turn like a real one. Ocasionally she would set her bag on the desk and pull out the sink, when someone wondered what she was doing she would exclaim "what you never known a girl to cary the kitchen sink in her purse?" "I really do have everything in my purse, including the kitchen sink" she would exclaim. She had a real great sens of humor.

My daughter has a small sink for her dolls (it's actually a paperclip holder, but I thought it would work great for her dolls). I could put that in my purse too!

rebarnmom · 11-09-2010, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

I don't even know why they are called that! Mine would be more of a tummy pack!

I just remembered perhaps the most important thing I keep in my "handbag" are three jump drives with backups of all my pictures, books and other important documents! And an envelope full of hard copy pics taken before the digital camera era.

HarryT · 11-09-2010, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

I guess 'billfold' must be a US term as it would not be generally understood in the UK but that sounds like what I'm talking about, yes.

Pocketbook is a really confusing name. It's neither a book nor will it fit in a pocket!

"Pocketbook" used to be used in the UK as a substitute for "wallet"; in Dorothy L. Sayers' "Lord Peter Wimsey" stories, for example, Lord Peter is often said to be putting things into his pocketbook for safekeeping. They were written in the 20s and 30s.

dsvick · 11-09-2010, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

"Pocketbook" used to be used in the UK as a substitute for "wallet"; in Dorothy L. Sayers' "Lord Peter Wimsey" stories, for example, Lord Peter is often said to be putting things into his pocketbook for safekeeping. They were written in the 20s and 30s.

I was going to hazard a guess that instead of relating to going in a pocket it meant that it was a substitute for a pocket.

phenomshel · 11-09-2010, 01:13 PM

Purses and shoes just don't do much for me. Shoes are a necessity, but I can (and have) keep/kept a purse going for ten years plus. I have one "designer" real leather purse, by America West, that I got when I was still doing websites (that was a loooong time ago). I used it almost exclusively for at least five years, and I've had it close to ten years. Recently, though, I went on a purse hunt. What I originally wanted was the green "leather" purses I kept seeing customers with at the store (green being my favorite color). I found exactly ONE, at Target, and it was too big, not the right style, and I refused to pay what they wanted for it. What I ended up with, is a denim hobo style bag that Chris found at Wal-Mart. It has two zip pockets along the top, and three smaller zip compartments on the front. What I like about it - I can put my cell phone in the front pocket and not "lose" it in the bottom of the purse; it holds my Sony Reader in the cover; and it's denim...I can wash it, attach buttons to it, things can get spilled in it/on it without ruining it. What I don't like: It's STILL too big on days when all I want to carry is my cell phone and ID, and it's not very sturdy - if I bang it into something, I'm always afraid I've just killed my Sony Reader, if it happens to be in residence.

DixieGal · 11-09-2010, 01:44 PM

A very very old southern word for a handbag was a reticule. Sort of a crocheted doily gathered with a ribbon drawstring into a lacy bag shape.

I don't carry a purse. That's what husband's pockets are for.

Seanette · 11-09-2010, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DixieGal

A very very old southern word for a handbag was a reticule. Sort of a crocheted doily gathered with a ribbon drawstring into a lacy bag shape.

I don't carry a purse. That's what husband's pockets are for.

My DH's pockets are always full of all the stuff HE hauls around. I swear when he takes off his belt (which has stuff hanging on it) and empties his pockets he loses at least 20 lbs. (I once weighed all his carry-around stuff, but that was a few years ago and the inventory has no doubt changed).

jbcohen · 11-09-2010, 02:45 PM

My high school pal was also always trying to find more room in her handbag for more things and one day she was deep in though in class and quietly exclaimed "Oh what they heck" she then emptied her entire purse into her backpack, which was big enough for most people to go camping in. "That should take care of space problems" she told me. She always had a great sense of humor and was frequently cracking jokes in class. I realy should have dated her back then.

11-09-2010, 09:33 AM	#17
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,032 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	In high school there was a realy nice woman in my english class that had everything in her purse including the kitchen sink. Actually she was attempting to make a point about the fact that a lot of her female friends kept too much in their handbags. She would cary around in her handbag a very small model of a kitchen sink with knobs that would turn like a real one. Ocasionally she would set her bag on the desk and pull out the sink, when someone wondered what she was doing she would exclaim "what you never known a girl to cary the kitchen sink in her purse?" "I really do have everything in my purse, including the kitchen sink" she would exclaim. She had a real great sens of humor.

11-09-2010, 09:49 AM	#19
Pookeysgirl Wizard Posts: 1,705 Karma: 12696746 Join Date: May 2010 Device: K3, Kobo Mini	I have a medium sized purse which carries my reader, wallet (it's actually a planner/wallet so it's pretty big), my wallet has all my cards in it, even the ones I don't use everyday. I also have my "feminine needs" and a brush, nail file and makeup (which I rarely, if ever wear), my blackberry and keys. My biggest problem is that I end up with a bunch of change or old receipts that I've been too busy (lazy) to clean out. My purse weighs about 7-10lbs on any given day. I also need to buy a new purse at least once or twice a year due to rips in the strap or broken zippers. I try not to spend more than $20 on a purse.

11-09-2010, 11:00 AM	#21
Pomtroll Guru Posts: 822 Karma: 1341819 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Minnesota USA Device: Sony 350, Sony T1, Kindle Touch, Kindle PW1	I have a Tom Biehn small cafe bag which carries my: wallet Keys Address book pen cellphone & my e-reader. It is probably the biggest bag I have had in a long time, but I wanted something to carry my e-reader in.

11-09-2010, 11:28 AM	#22
sakura-panda Guru Posts: 934 Karma: 9558874 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southeast Michigan, USA Device: Kindle Oasis; 11" iPad Pro (Books, Kindle, Kobo, MapleRead SE)	I am very attracted to the idea of a small purse (or handbag ), but every time I try one out, within a couple of months it is breaking apart because it can not hold everything that I put into it. I currently have Coach bag and have had it for over a year -- the longest I have ever ever gone without wanting to at least look at other purses. I'm still astonished at how well it has held up and what a good fit it is for me! However, it is on the larger side. Today it has: * My wallet -- which seems to be larger than 6x4 * 2 fold up shopping bags (fairly small) * 2 cellphones (work and personal) * an iPod Touch * a tiny makeup bag -- only big enough to hold one lipstick and a nail file * sunglasses (in a handy case) * change purse (for going to lunch at work -- don't want to carry my big purse to the cafeteria. It happened to come with one of my past purses and is very cute.) * travel wall charger for my cellphones (they use the same one) I don't think that is terribly excessive. My wallet could probably be smaller, but it is packed full of reward and loyalty cards and I haven't figured out how to manage those so that I have them when I unexpectedly need them. I can fit my Sony 505 in it, but I usually put than in my wheeled work bag so that I'm not carrying quite so many [heavy] batteries on my shoulder! I have not had any problems with my shoulder from the weight, but occasionally I pick it up just to move it and am astonished at how heavy it is.

11-09-2010, 01:13 PM	#27
phenomshel ZCD BombShel Posts: 4,793 Karma: 8293322 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Frozen North (aka Illinois, USA) Device: iPad, STB Kindle Oasis	Purses and shoes just don't do much for me. Shoes are a necessity, but I can (and have) keep/kept a purse going for ten years plus. I have one "designer" real leather purse, by America West, that I got when I was still doing websites (that was a loooong time ago). I used it almost exclusively for at least five years, and I've had it close to ten years. Recently, though, I went on a purse hunt. What I originally wanted was the green "leather" purses I kept seeing customers with at the store (green being my favorite color). I found exactly ONE, at Target, and it was too big, not the right style, and I refused to pay what they wanted for it. What I ended up with, is a denim hobo style bag that Chris found at Wal-Mart. It has two zip pockets along the top, and three smaller zip compartments on the front. What I like about it - I can put my cell phone in the front pocket and not "lose" it in the bottom of the purse; it holds my Sony Reader in the cover; and it's denim...I can wash it, attach buttons to it, things can get spilled in it/on it without ruining it. What I don't like: It's STILL too big on days when all I want to carry is my cell phone and ID, and it's not very sturdy - if I bang it into something, I'm always afraid I've just killed my Sony Reader, if it happens to be in residence.

11-09-2010, 01:44 PM	#28
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	A very very old southern word for a handbag was a reticule. Sort of a crocheted doily gathered with a ribbon drawstring into a lacy bag shape. I don't carry a purse. That's what husband's pockets are for.

11-09-2010, 02:45 PM	#30
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,032 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Where am I? Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition and a Samsung S24 Ultra	My high school pal was also always trying to find more room in her handbag for more things and one day she was deep in though in class and quietly exclaimed "Oh what they heck" she then emptied her entire purse into her backpack, which was big enough for most people to go camping in. "That should take care of space problems" she told me. She always had a great sense of humor and was frequently cracking jokes in class. I realy should have dated her back then.