Hand bags vs Shoulder Bags

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For many years, I was all about the hobo! Now that my kids are older, I prefer totes or satchel styles with a longer strap for convenience. They just work really well for me.
 
Handbags only for me. Both my shoulders have issues. My left one had frozen shoulder. I was in physical therapy for months. Sold my LV Popincourt Haute because I couldn't carry it on my shoulder. Neither shoulder will tolerate even a light crossbody.
 
I don't do handheld bags at all, all my bags have to have longer handles that fit over the shoulder. I just dislike not having my hands free to do whatever I need to do with them. It's actually a pity that I can't buy satchels or clutches because there are so many beautiful ones out there!
 
I like the look of the lady like elbow-held bag but for practicality's sake, I always default to my shoulder bags. I tried shopping with the hand held,(Speedy) but soon got tired of holding it in the crook of my elbow. So now I use shoulder bags or crossbody bags, exclusively.
 
Those with shoulder problems - did they originate from carrying shoulder bags? Shoulder bags are more convenient but I wonder if it's good for you long term...


My doctor said 'age' and 'wear and tear' on the joints - but I did develop this problem after taking a night school course where I had to carry several heavy books to work/class/home again every week. I usually put them in a back pack. For a while my pain was so bad it hurt to bend my arms back to put on a coat and I couldn't reach above my head. I did always carry shoulder bags before then, but they were only small 'stewardess' type bags, not big heavy ones.

It seems counterintuitive to carry a handheld bag (you think it would pull your arm out of the socket) but a number of people on here have reported that handheld bags help with their shoulder or back pain. In my case I think a shoulder bag makes me hunch up my shoulder to keep the bag on and aggravates the 'pinching' of the tendons.
 
^^My experience is similar to tiggycat, including the degree of pain and for me, severe limit in range of motion. While not caused by my shoulder bags --they accelarated the deterioration as it was just a matter of time for my shoulder. I am at the end of physical therapy and will be working on my own to strengthen my rotator cuff. Though not in constant pain any longer, the simple thought of carrying something on my shoulder makes me cringe. So no more shoulder bags for me, per Physical Therapist, and my own feeling about it....
 
I prefer totes and hobos!! I dont do crossbody.I just hate the feeling of a strap across my chest! As for satchels, I just dont care for the look of them in the crook of the arm. Just all personal preference.;)

My newest tote is light weight, so I just have to be cautious not to load her up!!
 
I like both but face it with kids, one needs a good shoulder bag. I don't care who you are!

I use both but find that a satchel with an additional shoulder strap suits me well - the best of both worlds.


:yes:

I love satchels but love it even more if there is a detachable shoulder strap. Also carrying a bag by hand forces me to have better posture, once school is in session I am back to handheld.
 
:yes:

I love satchels but love it even more if there is a detachable shoulder strap. Also carrying a bag by hand forces me to have better posture, once school is in session I am back to handheld.

Luckily we have year-round school so I'm going to start breaking out my satchels more and more. :D
 
I'm sorry to hear that you guys have such unavoidable pain. :(

Maybe we can only hope that rolling bags will be in style at some point... ;P

There's a lady I see on the subway once in a while with a faux croc bag that kind of looks like a Birken with wheels. I don't think it's designer but it always makes me wonder why she needs so much stuff just for a day at work.
 
I have both but kids + work = shoulder bag coz I could still hold both kids' hands or a shopping bag. When I hold a bag on the crook of my arm, it makes me look professional though. ;)
 
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