this post was submitted on 03 Apr 2025
30 points (96.9% liked)

WomensStuff

364 readers
82 users here now

Women only trans inclusive This is an inclusive community for all things women. Whether you're here for make up tips, feminism or just friendly chit chat, we've got you covered.

founded 4 weeks ago
MODERATORS
 

Nobody but me is ever allowed in my handbag and I always have certain things in it. What's in yours?

top 37 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)
  • pens
  • micellar water
  • makeup remover pads
  • 4 or 5 qtips
  • dry shampoo
  • hair brush
  • nail file
  • cuticle oil
  • my 'google pixel pros' (wireless earbuds)
  • phone (if no pockets)
  • crayon eyeliner
  • eyelash curler
  • mascara
  • glasses alcohol wipes
  • lip gloss
  • chap stick
  • wallet
  • top coat polish
  • a little ibuprofen bottle

edit: on closer inspection, 4 different bottle tabs. I collect them :)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 days ago

That's an impressive haul!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 days ago

My iPod, IEMs for that iPod, my cards, lip gloss, a 3DS and hand sanitizer.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

keys, wallet, pepper spray, stocked pill case, chapstick, reusable bag, tide pen, cuticle oil, nail file, earplugs, gum, masks, bandaids, pads, tampons, and a pen

ETA: hand sanitizer

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 days ago

Actually most of the time I have a lanyard that has my ID, 2 credit cards, insurance card, Costco card, and library card, plus my car keys.

In my purse I have a wallet that holds my checkbook, other cards, and cash if I have it. Then there’s chapstick and a pen.

I think that’s about it.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Intentional: pack of tissues, lip balm, tampons, pen, packet of oatcakes, Loop earbuds, headphones, purse, keys, hair ties

Unintentional: old receipts, old tissues, oatcake crumbs

Occasional: notebook, book to read, shopping bag

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago

I approve of the emergency snacks. This is important

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago

I should really add an emergency snack. Smart!

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 week ago

Always?
No keys: we don't lock our home, and since we share a car the key lives in a drawer.
No wallet: I forget it at home several times a year.
No make-up: I never wear any.
Random scraps of paper with illegible notes it is, then.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Hairbrush, zipper wallet with cards and a little bit of cash for emergencies, a small bottle of perfume (Victoria’s Secret Coconut Passion, my partner got it as a gift in 2013 and never used it lol), phone cable and sometimes a battery bank, pack of travel tissues, a pill bottle with 2 days of my ADHD meds in case I forgot to take them, a few cotton buds for if my eyeliner transfers to the lower lid, a few cotton pads for cleaning up any cakey looking makeup or runs from being too warm, tinted lip balm, lip gloss, a reusable shopping bag, a travel umbrella, and the apartment keys.

Might need a Bag of Holding tbh.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

You are a regular Mary Poppins! You're super organised I approve

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

A year or so ago I bought a nice handbag that came with a smaller removable bag on the inside that I keep everything in. It sure makes changing bags easier since every handbag I own can accommodate that smaller bag 🤣

Forgot to mention that inside the wallet there is also a few doses of paracetamol and ibuprofen for headaches as well as cetirizine for allergies. My partner loves the fact that I have her covered in case of emergency ☺️

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago

That reminds me I always have painkillers too!

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Other than the obvious stuff to get around with, I always keep a colored lip balm, small mirror, spare toothpicks, hair ties, hand sanitizer, ear buds, and a pen. :)

In a bigger bag, I’ll throw in a hat, sunglasses, and a tote bag for grocery shopping.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago

I always have a refillable bottle of water, my purse, keys, at least one lipbalm, a few receipts for random things and a miscellaneous item I don't remember putting in it. There's often a biro in there, despite the fact that I swear I never put birds in it!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Since I'm on a motorbike most of the time I use a backpack, which in and of itself has proved useful!

Inside I've got ... Work ID Old leather purse I bought second hand about 15 years ago Antihistamines Ibuprofen Mini hairbrush Mini nailclippers A reliable pen Hand sanisizer House keys 1 individually wrapped maxi-pad (useful for various emergencies aside from the obvious) 1 pair of disposable earplugs (for when riding the motorbike) And the most recent addition is reading glasses :-(

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Motorbike is impressive! How long have you had it?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It's funny, here in Spain there's lots of women who use motorbikes and scooters as their main transportation so I've never thought of it as impressive!

I've had motorbikes since I was little, I was fascinated by them much to my mothers disappointment.

Have you ever thought about riding one?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I'm disabled so it's not worth it for me. When I see one parked up I quite often look at it obviously though.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Do you have a way to get out and about in a fun way?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Fortunately I like being at home, I'm a proper home bird.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Ah, a nester :-)

I'm the other way, the 6 years I've been in our current house is the longest I've ever lived in one place since I left home!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

Haha 6 years is the bare minimum for me!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago

Wallet, mask, keys, mini scissors, dog poo bags, my meds, Loop ear plugs

My partner's very covid-cautious and we both have immuno-compromised friends, so we both mask in stores or other crowded places.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

My keys, purse + credit card, ID, hand sanitizer + mask

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Are many people still using masks in Canada? It's unheard of in the UK now

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Uncommon in my area, but I've made it a permanent habit since 2020. I'd hate to make anyone else sick!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

It's no bad thing, I wish it was more normalised

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Nothing. I don't carry a bag unless the weather is warm and my outfit doesn't have adequate pockets.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago

Your username is brilliant I love it

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

My main bag is an old sling bag with keys, wallet, phone, hair ties, pens (four colour bic, sharpie, and fountain), vape, folded up shopping bag, rolaids, mini tape measure, two crystals, headphones, fisherman’s friends, vape coil, nicotine patch, vape juice, protein bar. And two lip balms that I never use. And my leatherman would be in there too if I hadn’t of lost it!

This bag goes in a larger bag that holds water bottle, travel mug, planner, iPad, kobo, little toiletry bag (pill bottle (melatonin, ibuprofen, Tylenol, Benadryl, adhd meds), tampon, pads, menstrual cup, tea bags, lighter, emergen-c, hair ties, vape coils, nicotine patches), big headphones, spare vape, protein bar, sunglasses

Sometimes that bag will go in a larger bag (like a basket) to hold other extra stuff, like lunch (in its own bag), vitamins, snacks, extra books. I sorted it all out like Russian nesting bags haha. I travel for work so switch things up a lot, and with everything in its own place I don’t forget stuff. If I’m just running in the store then I grab the sling, if I’m heading into work, then next bag up. If I need a backpack I can move stuff around easy.

I have a separate backpack/bag for my laptop, work binders, and tech bag. The tech bag has a ton of pockets and holds all the different cables, wall wart, usb mouse, hard drive, usb hub, extra headphones, adapters, sd cards, pens, business cards, and ferry tickets. I love that bag.

Yes I know I’m horribly addicted to nicotine. Also, I don’t care if someone goes in my bag(s), provided I know they’re doing it of course.

Edit: after reading more of the responses to the question I have to say, this is mainly because I travel so much, and I happen to be on the road right now. If I was at home it would be just the sling!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Seems like you are always ready to roll!

When would you prefer to use the fountain pen?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

I like to be prepared!! The fountain pen gets used mostly for writing in my planner, or little sketches. TBH, I don’t use it as much as the bic though. It’s ridiculous, but I don’t want to mess it up and I’m hard on things.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I would LOVE to be friends with someone who carried this much. I'd know wherever we were we'd be totally covered. How do you keep it all organised?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Bags with pockets haha. Seriously though, just having a bunch of small bags that are specific to what’s inside them. Then I can just grab the bags I need and off I go.

I like being able to help someone if they need something, I don’t even use tampons or pads, but other people do.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Good tips thanks! And I love your thoughtfulness

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Wallet, kindle, field notes, assorted pencils and pens, bandaids, measuring tape, knife, disposable and reusable earplugs, headphones, lip balm, masks, 1 reusable shopping bag, hair ties, tampons, hand sanitizer, dog poop bags, random mix of meds in one bottle, gloves, and a hat.