Women Travelers - Purses (handbags)

OK, after 3 months of traveling 80% (new job) I've learned an incredible amount from the wise women who post to this thread (thank you all!) - but I have a new problem.

I've got a good rollerboard (20" and 22" Hartmann) that I bought specifically to support carry on and just ordered a new rolling Briggs and Reilly laptop/briefcase because I can no longer carry my briefcase on my shoulder through the airports (way too heavy!). I invested in the good stuff because I've already had to cash in on the lifetime warranty to get handles fixed and the like. I think it's worth it.

My new problem is what to do with my purse. I've always carried a decent sized hobo or shoulder bag but it's a problem for traveling (only 2 carry ons).

What do you all do for a purse? Do you buy a small one that you can tuck in your briefcase? Which ones work well for this? Or do you skip it altogether? (What do you do with your wallet, lipstick, etc...?)

Advice welcomed!
Thanks!

I don't take a purse. I have a Lands' End briefcase that I use for a purse on the road. I keep the essentials in it anyway (Kleenex, lip gloss, comb, hand lotion, etc.) and just add my wallet and cell phone when I leave.

I have some of the tiniest purses known to man (woman?). Several of mine can just perfectly fit a pen, credit cards, ID, appropriate airline/hotel cards, a bit of cash, (probably lipstick too). I don't carry a wallet. I can easily put my purse in my topper for security. My make-up stays in my topper in a make-up bag.

I have been carrying the same LV tote for over 30 years. In addition to that, I carry a rather soft-sided handbag which I can jam into that tote/shopping bag. I stuff my cosmetic bag, med bag, books and magazines into the tote. My wallet and jewelry go into the handbag. When I board, the tote goes under the seat; handbag goes into my lap.

I also usually carry teeny purses. I like to have one so that if I actually have a chance to go out somewhere on my trip I have a purse with me. I stuff them into my carry-on for boarding. That being said, I just switched to a new briefcase which may make actually carrying my purse in the airport completely unnecessary since it will fit all the contents thereof, and my tiny purse might just go into carry-on from the get-go.

When I'm in transit, I usually carry my "purse stuff" in my computer bag, and pack my empty purse in my suitcase. It's there when I need it, but is one less thing to lug around.

Well, it's not really empty---assorted "purse crap" might still be in there. You know, that pack of gum that sits around forever, an extra pen, lots of lint, and bits of paper.

This is my new travel bag. I bought it in black because I didn't care for the coachness of it.

I almost bought a similar bag from prada, but saved myself some moolah and I think the nylon on the prada might not well with my current lifestyle.

My bag is older and has a zippered compartment in the back which fits a US passport.

The dog leash is completely removable on mine. I guess I could use it on my dog when I get a puppy.

coach swing (http://www.coach.com/aspx/content/product.aspx?product_no=4262&category_id=200) .

This bag is great for travel, it fits in my laptop messenger bag, my lancel bucket which I use for travel and works well for going out a night when I don't want to carry a large bag or something more bling.

Best buy I have made in years.

lala

O
What do you all do for a purse? Do you buy a small one that you can tuck in your briefcase? Which ones work well for this? Or do you skip it altogether? (What do you do with your wallet, lipstick, etc...?)

Advice welcomed!
Thanks!


After years of lugging large shoulder bags with everything in them...I forced myself to downsize. Now I tuck things in the briefcase. For a purse I use a small Perlina wallet on a string that carries the bare minimums....Overall, I'm very happy that way. Just need a little more room for sunglasses...


http://www.ebags.com/perlina/morgan_collection_wallet_on_a_string/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=1163

When I'm in transit, I usually carry my "purse stuff" in my computer bag, and pack my empty purse in my suitcase. It's there when I need it, but is one less thing to lug around.

Well, it's not really empty---assorted "purse crap" might still be in there. You know, that pack of gum that sits around forever, an extra pen, lots of lint, and bits of paper.

This is exactly what I do, wish I could be disciplined about using those times to clean out the purse.

I use my Coach shoulder tote. My laptop fits in it, along with 1/2 of my life so I am set. Yes, it gets heavy, but lucky for me, I usually only have to get on the plane and get off...

Do you buy a small one that you can tuck in your briefcase? Which ones work well for this? Or do you skip it altogether? (What do you do with your wallet, lipstick, etc...?)
!

Yeah, I used to lug around a gigantic laptop bag and a business type "briefpurse" when I traveled. Now I just carry the laptop bag and a wristlet type purse that carries the essentials. I have an LV wristlet purse that just fits a wallet, keys, business card holder and notepad/pen that I carry around. The rest goes into my laptop bag.

Been eyeing these (http://www.coach.com/shop/thumbnail.asp?category_id=240), and may just have to buy one next time I go through duty free :D

I carry a clutch by Hobo International (http://www.hobobags.com) - the name is "Zoe." It's got credit card slots, a zipped change compartment, and a larger regular compartment that can fit my cell phone, lipstick, mints, and car keys, but I don't need to carry an additional wallet. It fits easily in my tote for carry on travel but also allows me to have something smaller for evenings and days.

Asked the same question last April. Here's the the thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=423365&highlight=bag). I use a flat Coach bag that I slip in the front pocket of my rollerboard.

for the great suggestions - I just read the thread from last April and have finally reached a conclusion - switch to a tiny bag I can stuff in my briefcase for boarding (I've been stopped several times at LGA by TSA checking boarding pass/ID pre-security).

Thanks for all the great links and suggestions - this list is amazing!

I do what joanak does. In transit, purse stuff in computer tote. Although my purse is empty (no gum, etc, lint) in rollaboard, it's still full cuz I'll put jewelry or socks or teabags or powerbars in it. That stuff comes out at hotel & so can use purse for evening or day stuff that a tote wouldn't be appropriate for. Cheers.

Another fan of small bags. I try to travel with one that can fit snugly under my arm.

Am I the only person on here who thinks that Coach handbags are rather ugly.

And they cost a fortune!

I think Case Logic new range of ladies computer totes are brill!
I have a few small bags I've bought in high street fashion shops in UK like Next and Accessorize. I did pick up a nice red fossil bag on a sale at DUS airport last year.

Anyway - purses. I have a tiny tan leather purse from Accessorize that packs flat and takes up virtually no space at all. It has been known that I've thrown this in to various suitcases or even my laptop trolley when on the road.

/E

Am I the only person on here who thinks that Coach handbags are rather ugly.


No, you are not. :)

I stuff my purse in either my briefcase/bag or carryon until I pass through security -

I'm another person who carries a very small "purse" that I put inside my tote to go through security, for staying on the right side of the "two items" law. Once onboard I always sling the purse across my torso, particularly during takeoff and landing. In the event of an emergency evacuation I want to make sure my wallet, passport, etc. are on my person during the rapid egress.

I use my Coach shoulder tote. My laptop fits in it, along with 1/2 of my life so I am set. Yes, it gets heavy, but lucky for me, I usually only have to get on the plane and get off...

Likewise. I put my computer (which is quite tiny), purse contents, books, DVDs and iPod into my business tote and the purse goes empty into my checked luggage. For trans-Pacific trips I will typically bring a second tote with a change of clothes and toiletries in it for those 24 hour travel experiences. For me, I count the business tote as my personal item (its my briefcase/handbag after all) and the extra tote with clothes as my "carry-on". I really don't like bringing unwieldy rollaboards with me on planes. Much easier to set my tote in my lap to rummage through it in private than it is to haul out the case, unzip it and let the entire cabin see its contents.

I never see women my age carrying briefcases- one of those things would drive me nuts! Too bulky!

I have my 'work bag' aka a 5 year old Coach bag that I carry my laptop and my life in on a day to day basis, and I can tuck a small demi bag into it if I have to. Otherwise, I throw my wallet, cell, keys and essentials into my work bag and then pack a handbag in my rollaboard.

BTW- I'd beg to differ that Coach bags are all that expensive. I've had my $400 work bag for 4 years and sent it back to have the straps fixed on it 2 times for free. That's under $100 a year for use... not bad for everyday use! :D

I love this thread! :) I carry one of two bags that fit under my shoulder and stash nicely under the seat beside my computer bag. Both are soft leather...one is by ICON and has a gorgeous Geisha print. I've carried this one almost every day for 3 years (and 800k+ miles) and there's barely a scratch on it. Plus, I always get compliments and DogDad finally understands how 'chicks bond over bags'. :p The other one I have is a slightly larger Marc Jacobs tote--again, great quality softer leather that scrunches nicely and bounces back easily

Am I the only person on here who thinks that Coach handbags are rather ugly.

And they cost a fortune!

A-freaking-men, sister!

I don't care how much they cost ... I'd feel like my mother walking around with one.

Thanks for the hobobags.com suggestion. For those few times I'm not lugging around my Briggs & Reily backpack laptop bag, they have two really smart urban style sling bags that I'm going to check out. The one that goes diagonally over the shoulder and rides on the hip is the perfect hands-free option for me. All I need is something to hold a cell phone, my iPod, a fountain pen, a holder for credit cards and cash, and a lipstick. :cool:

My purse is a black Healthy Back Bag, and I take it on trips because my philosophy about not losing things while travelling requires keeping things in the same places where they're usually kept at home. Moving everyything to a whole new set of pockets while travelling, is, in my opinion, a prescription for losing something important.

That said, I sympathize with the OP about not wanting to lug something heavy around on my shoulder any more -- I need wheels! So I stuff my purse into the roll-on bag if necessary while the carry-on bags are being monitored.

I am thinking about buying a Briggs & Riley rolling briefcase (I already have one that I really love, alas, nonrolling). At night, though, when I'm out wherever I'm travelling, I want to be able to just take the purse (healthy back bag) with me. So that means sometimes it's got to be shoved inside another carryon.

Yes, I end up loading the purse down w jewelery. Any suggestions on good lite weight but sturdy jewelery satchels or rolls that can fit in a decent size purse, but not a tote size purse??

Thanks in advance ladies. :)

I bought a Jimi wallet, have used it several times, am very pleased. I bought it for situations where theft was a concern, where I might want a money belt. I put coins in my pocket.

http://thejimi.com/wallet/index.php

Sylvia

Oh that is ingenious, and great colors. I like the aqua and magenta particularly. ^

I bought a Jimi wallet, have used it several times, am very pleased. I bought it for situations where theft was a concern, where I might want a money belt. I put coins in my pocket.

http://thejimi.com/wallet/index.php

Sylvia


I am liking the Jimi...but which color? Would it be very wrong to use two???*smiles*

I havent carried a purse in a LONG time

I just carry my DL and C. Cards Debit cards My F/T cards

Yes, I end up loading the purse down w jewelery. Any suggestions on good lite weight but sturdy jewelery satchels or rolls that can fit in a decent size purse, but not a tote size purse??

Thanks in advance ladies. :)

I use a jewelery case I bought at Container Store. It's about the same size as a piece of standard paper and not much thicker, with a wrap around zipper on three sides. Lined with felt it doesn't weigh anything empty, but fits everything I need, even for 2 week trips. The only thing I don't like is that it's made of vinyl and looks cheap, but I just stuff it in my purse and ignore it ;) .

This reminds me of the time my mother and I were coming back from a trip overseas and she had bought too much stuff and we were rearranging some of her things into my cases. I had to insist that she not pack her jewelery in her case but put it in her cary on. Sheesh! reading these boards I can't belive she has been so lucky for so long!

BTW I agree about Coach bags. I think they are unattractive too. My friend's partner manages a store and has offered to get me one. I keep thinking of excuses not to, as I don't want to offend. Am I the only one who can't wait for the trend of white stiching on all colors of leather (black, red, etc.) to be over? I'm tired of it and think it looks too sporty to be versitile. I just bought a cute red bag and a fabric marker to re-color the stiching :o

I am liking the Jimi...but which color? Would it be very wrong to use two???*smiles*

gretchendz, I like the way you think. And yes, so not a fan of Coach- the lines are just too sporty for being a main bag. And I giggled to hear about using the pen to cover the threads- ingenuious. :p

I just bought a large DVF tote bag- it doesn't zip on top, but I can find everything easily in it and it holds my computer, books, etc. I don't carry a wallet though- everything goes into one of those little Coach wristlets, and the wristlet fits nicely in the bag (sometimes I put it in my computer sleeve as well).

When I need something smaller, I just switch the wristlet into another purse. I keep cash, cc, license, lipstick, lipliner and change in there, and when I had a smaller cell phone, that fit in the wristlet also.

Of course I get a new tote every few months (they really don't hold up all that well).

But that is what is working for me (for this month anyway).

Am I the only person on here who thinks that Coach handbags are rather ugly.

And they cost a fortune!LOL, I love Coach... Once during vacation I bought 6 of them (some were gifts) at a Coach outlet. :D

I use this purse, don't click here if you don't like Coach. (http://www.coach.com/aspx/content/product.aspx?product_no=7343&category_id=68) :p I have a Wilson's leather computer backpack and the purse fits right into the top of the backback.