Do your bags get bigger as you get older?

[tinybutterfly]

I still carry a larger handbag most days. NF mm is my default bag.

But I have to be very careful not to overload it due to shoulder and neck issues. One reason I like LV canvas so much is that the handbags themselves are generally lightweight. I have stopped carrying leather, except on rare occasions and I do not purchase leather handbags anymore, no matter how beautiful they may be.

The weight of my bags has become more of an issue for me as I have aged, than the size I carry.

I probably should carry smaller bags. I have tried, but my essentials are a full sized wallet, cosmetic bag full of odds and ends, a planner, my phone, tissues and keys.

As your life changes, your handbag preferences may change. You can always take a wait and see approach. Change your style as your own life circumstances change. That might be easier than trying to predict what you think you might need.

 

[anitsirk]

Thank you for all the responses! It’s good to see different perspectives, I know that I can’t know for sure what my needs and tastes will be in the future but other people’s experiences help. I like having things planned and organized and since thousands are being spent on these bags, and unlikely to be fully recouped if sold, I want to make the best decisions now I’m pretty minimalist and can’t stand clutter so it would kill me to have my favorite bags collecting dust because I can’t fit my stuff in them anymore.. but I’d really hate to sell them.

The most important thing is to be true to your own style and needs.

This was really helpful for me. Small elegant structured bags suit my style and I hate being weighed down by lots of stuff that I don’t use daily. So I don’t think I’ll ever carry a large bag except for when I have small kids.. or if I happen to fall in love with its aesthetics, but then I’d probably carry it near-empty anyway. I will consider buying medium sized bags more often though, they’ll probably be more versatile as long as they’re lightweight.

 

[prepster]

Thank you for all the responses! It’s good to see different perspectives, I know that I can’t know for sure what my needs and tastes will be in the future but other people’s experiences help. I like having things planned and organized and since thousands are being spent on these bags, and unlikely to be fully recouped if sold, I want to make the best decisions now I’m pretty minimalist and can’t stand clutter so it would kill me to have my favorite bags collecting dust because I can’t fit my stuff in them anymore.. but I’d really hate to sell them.


This was really helpful for me. Small elegant structured bags suit my style and I hate being weighed down by lots of stuff that I don’t use daily. So I don’t think I’ll ever carry a large bag except for when I have small kids.. or if I happen to fall in love with its aesthetics, but then I’d probably carry it near-empty anyway. I will consider buying medium sized bags more often though, they’ll probably be more versatile as long as they’re lightweight.

I love large bags--I love the look, especially structured ladylike bags with beautiful leather. What I found though, is that unless I was going to a meeting and needed my iPad and files, I would leave my gorgeous bag in the car and just grab my wallet out of it. I would tell myself I was just "running in." Eventually I started looking for an all-in-one wallet/clutch, and that's what seems to work best for me now most of the time. I have a few totes in leather or canvas that I use when I need to carry more, and my clutch drops inside. But I spent a small fortune before I discovered that. It's great that you're giving this a lot of thought and figuring out what you need.

Where I went to college students made shortcuts through the grass on their way to class and the footpaths would get muddy when it rained. So the University made the smart decision to put in brick sidewalks. Unfortunately the planners paid no attention to where the students actually walked, so the students continued to cut through the grass. Lol! As soon as the University realized their error, they laid new sidewalks over footpaths and everyone was happy.

Sometimes it helps to just observe one's own lifestyle and habits for awhile. It sounds like you have a pretty good idea of what you like.

 

[CoachMaven]

My bag sizes are based on how hot it is outside. I tend to carry smaller bags in the hot summer here, vs. my larger ones. OR the large bag better have a long strap so its not carried under my armpit. I don't go super small except for date nights or maybe outdoor day trips, but a good medium sized bag with a long strap is my go to for warm months. Cooler months, I like my hobos, shoulder bags, and satchels that can convert.

 

[floodette]

I'm in my mid-50's so I can look back now over decades of bag buying and wearing. For me, once the kids were no longer very young and once I left the full time work force and no longer had a daily commute, my need for large bags and large tote bags diminished entirely. In fact, my biggest bag buying mistakes in the last 5 - 7 years were buying for my previous life, the one where I left the house for 10 - 12 hours at a time and needed to carry a ton of stuff.

Now that we're empty nesters and basically retired, my bags have definitely gotten smaller. I have zero need for large tote bags and I'm probably one of the few on tPF who doesn't own a traditional tote bag (that isn't an airplane travel tote). I like small bags, small crossbody bags, and shoulder bags that don't weigh me down but that can carry a wallet, keys, phone, some make up, and a small comfort pack (tissues, Advil). I love my Chanel m/l flap as it carries everything I need. I use even smaller bags (minis and WOCs, a Coach Dinky, a couple of Bal ME hip bags, a couple of PS1 tinys) for dining out, the movies, theater, concerts, parties, weddings, sight seeing, etc. Of course, I still have a few medium and large bags for just throwing everything into when that's what I feel like but the majority of my bags skew towards small and medium and I don't see that changing.

Hi, I know this is such an old post, but would you kindly let me know comparison between PS1 tiny and hip? is it closer to mini city size instead? or more to small city?

Thank you

 

[youngster]

Hi, I know this is such an old post, but would you kindly let me know comparison between PS1 tiny and hip? is it closer to mini city size instead? or more to small city?

Well, the PS1 tiny and Bal mini city dimensions are pretty close if I recall correctly. But, I actually had a mini city for a couple of days and returned it as I found it only held about the same amount as my Bal hip, just a bit more perhaps. (Maybe that was because, the mini city was in the chevre leather which has more structure so less fit.) The PS1 tiny holds a surprising amount, lots of pockets which helps a lot, and it's got good depth at around 3". Take a look at some of the individual threads in the Bal forum and the PS forum. I think there are quite a few photos of what fits in the various bags that might help you make a decision. Hope this helps!
ETA: Btw, my Bal hip bags are some of my most used bags, especially for travel. They hold quite a bit: card case, phone, cash, tickets, lipstick, hand wipes, mints, granola bar, etc. I use the front zip pocket for a transit card and room key.

 

[floodette]

Well, the PS1 tiny and Bal mini city dimensions are pretty close if I recall correctly. But, I actually had a mini city for a couple of days and returned it as I found it only held about the same amount as my Bal hip, just a bit more perhaps. (Maybe that was because, the mini city was in the chevre leather which has more structure so less fit.) The PS1 tiny holds a surprising amount, lots of pockets which helps a lot, and it's got good depth at around 3". Take a look at some of the individual threads in the Bal forum and the PS forum. I think there are quite a few photos of what fits in the various bags that might help you make a decision. Hope this helps!
ETA: Btw, my Bal hip bags are some of my most used bags, especially for travel. They hold quite a bit: card case, phone, cash, tickets, lipstick, hand wipes, mints, granola bar, etc. I use the front zip pocket for a transit card and room key.

thanks so mch, dear. i look around and think maybe tiny is around first size, which i love.
again thank you for being so helpful.

 

[lenarmc]

thanks so mch, dear. i look around and think maybe tiny is around first size, which i love.
again thank you for being so helpful.

I own a PS1 tiny, and it’s definitely larger than fist size. I can fit my iphoneX with a thick Otterbox case, a compact-style wallet, a cosmetics case for odds and ends, Beats by Dre’ case (holds my wireless earbuds, and a palm-sized stun gun (I work in a shady area). The dimensions are 6.5 in H and 10 in W. I don’t know if this picture will help, but here is my bag in hot pink suede.
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/what-is-your-recent-handbag-purchase-d.64/page-100#post-32386730

 

[floodette]

I own a PS1 tiny, and it’s definitely larger than fist size. I can fit my iphoneX with a thick Otterbox case, a compact-style wallet, a cosmetics case for odds and ends, Beats by Dre’ case (holds my wireless earbuds, and a palm-sized stun gun (I work in a shady area). The dimensions are 6.5 in H and 10 in W. I don’t know if this picture will help, but here is my bag in hot pink suede.
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/what-is-your-recent-handbag-purchase-d.64/page-100#post-32386730

whoa thank you!!! so it is bigger than first, so maybe around small city then!

thank you so much for being so helpful with the pic as well