Big bag lovers: can you successfully carry smaller bags?

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#16
When the oldest went to college and the youngest got her own I went crazy!! Once I got rid of the first aide kit, tools, braces/retainer stuff and THEIR hair doodads, I found I really can get away with a small to medium bag. Without feeling anxious missing my stuff. The bonus is that way more bags are left on the clearance table in my new size. Probably my husband does NOT think this is a bonus :)
 
#17
I don't carry a huge amount, but I like it to have lots of room! I get annoyed if I am carrying a small-medium bag that *just* fits everything. You know, when you take one thing out and then have to rearrange the contents to make it all fit back in again....
 
#18
I think you will be fine. As eehlers said, your back as well as your neck and shoulders will thank you. I tend to wear medium to large bags but keep my large ones slouchy to keep the weight down.
 
#19
clevercat said:
I don't carry a huge amount, but I like it to have lots of room! I get annoyed if I am carrying a small-medium bag that *just* fits everything. You know, when you take one thing out and then have to rearrange the contents to make it all fit back in again....
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This is a good point. By medium size, try to get an 11 x 12 x 5" or 12" x 14" x 3".
 
#20
I used to carry a lot of just in case stuff (deodorant, sewing kit, etc). Then one day my car broke down, I had to take the bus home (including a 3 mile walk because buses don't come all the way out to my in-laws). During that hot as hell 3mi walk I realized how stupid it is to carry all this junk around! I realized that in over a year I had not used the sewing kit. I never redo my makeup throughout the day save for powder, blush, and lipstick so I could get rid of my brushes, foundation, etc. So much useless crap, ugh I shudder when I think of all the junk I used to think i NEEDED for "emergencies"

Now I very happily carry small and medium sized bags!
 
#23
I used to carry a tiny Coach crossbody purse, the dimensions were about 8 x 4 x 1. Don't know how I did it, but I commuted to work and back with that for over a year. It held a wallet and keys and a Chanel lipstick.

It's when I started to buy things on the go and stick them in my bag that I ended up with duffel sized bags. :)

Find it hard to go back to small size, even tho I carry a demi wallet. I really need room for sunglasses. I suppose I could leave them on my head but I also use reading glasses too. My essentials have easily tripled in number. I also have mints, small notebook/pen, toiletry items, sometimes my own utensils (the flimsy ones at the mall/deli drive me nuts), extra makeup, etc.
 
#24
^^ Sunglasses are my downfall, too. They take up so much space! What really kills it, though, is my need to tote around a large bottle of water. If I could go without the water bottle, I'd lighten my load significantly. I don't carry that much: wallet (and not a big one), phone, small cosmetics pouch, Kleenex, keys, small notebook and pen. With that, I feel like I have everything I need, and I feel very light! But add in the water bottle, the sunglasses, and, if necessary, an umbrella, the big bag will win more often than not.
 
#25
Okay. I carried this little satchel all week. I'm ready to order a bigger bag now.

It is cute and functional. It holds all of the necessary items. I just feel like I need more room. Not a lot of room, just a bit more.
 
#26
I use a medium to large bag for work and the week but on weekends I switch to a smaller bag. I use a BV Iron bag and it's holds all the things I keep in my larger bag but the proportions are a bit more suited to running around and casual clothes
 
#27
I used to carry everything but the past few years I carry only my wallet, tissues, keys, phones, a lipstick/lipbalm and sometimes a brolly.

For work I prefer a bag that can hold my laptop but if I want a smaller purse, the laptop can go into a collapsible tote.
 
#28
loves said:
I used to carry everything but the past few years I carry only my wallet, tissues, keys, phones, a lipstick/lipbalm and sometimes a brolly.

For work I prefer a bag that can hold my laptop but if I want a smaller purse, the laptop can go into a collapsible tote.
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Do you carry the collapsible tote in your smaller purse?

I tried that method using a tumi pack-a-way tote with my RM cupid, and I found that the tumi tote is still rather heavy and takes up quite a bit of space in my smaller purse. I then just decided to get a small hand-held briefcase for days that I'm not carrying a 3-ring binder, although I think I still prefer just carrying one larger bag than two smaller ones.
 
#29
I don't necessarily take a lot of stuff with me when I go out, but I still prefer larger bags, because I know that the option of carrying stuff with me is still there. Like, if I go out and I realize I need something from the supermarket, I know I always have room for a few apples or something in my bag. :amuse:
 
#30
Morisa said:
Do you carry the collapsible tote in your smaller purse?

I tried that method using a tumi pack-a-way tote with my RM cupid, and I found that the tumi tote is still rather heavy and takes up quite a bit of space in my smaller purse. I then just decided to get a small hand-held briefcase for days that I'm not carrying a 3-ring binder, although I think I still prefer just carrying one larger bag than two smaller ones.
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I sometimes use the silky pop but most of the time I love my envirosax. It goes into the smallest of bags and weighs nothing.
 
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