There was an interesting topic on yesterday’s episode of The Social: are purses still necessary?
I’m a longtime bag carrier because there is a laundry list of items that I don’t like to leave home without. At one point during the conversation when guest host Brandon Gonez mentions that he’s been working a man purse/murse for a while but his family recently coached him to go back to a wallet. He says that his new wallet is fine, but it doesn’t carry his hand cream or little balm. I can relate, except none of my things are that practical. In fact, I can often be found searching unsuccessfully lip treatment and I often even forget to bring tampons on the days that I need them. I don’t even remember my glasses most of the time! To make those statements even more absurd, here are the things I would *never* forget:
- A book or some other form of reading material
- Aromatherapy
- Tarot cards
- A notebook and pens
- Postage stamps and address book
- At least one or two crystals
- Hydration tablets (usually a tube of Nuuns)
(I took that photo a while ago on a day when I felt particularly delighted when I looked down at the contents of my bag.)
As you can imagine, I am and always have been more a of bag toter than a purse carrier, but that’s becoming more and more challenging.
It could be argued that there is a war on bags that’s started with many major league sports venues limiting attendees from entering the building with bags over a certain size. I did a quick search for the limitations according to some major sports leagues and they look like this:
- NHL: 14″ x 14″ x 6″
- NBA: 14″ x 14″ x 6″
- NFL: 4.5″ x 6.5″
- MLB: 16″ x 16″ x 8″
It should be noted that in some cases (NHL, for example) these limitations are present for any event taking place in a building around the league so it reaches to concerts, etc. As someone who attends a fair number of sporting events, it takes a little extra planning, but I haven’t been denied yet! I gave a regulation sized purse that I bring out when I know I’m heading to a game and it’s still big enough to hold a library book and a few other essentials. Phew!
Lately, however, I’ve been using a phone case that has a little cover on it where I can store my bank and credit cards, ID and a little bit of paper money with room for a few other small, flat tidbits. I’ll admit that there have been a few times that I’ve left the house with nothing but that case in my hand and it’s been surprisingly liberating.
How about you? Do you think a purse is essential? What are your must haves whenever you leave the house?
