I have around 10 purses right now. I typically switch with the seasons and prefer a cross body to any other kind. I have a double zippered pencil case that I transfer between purses. It holds cash and a pen on one side and receipts in the other. The only other things in my purse are my phone (with attached card holder) and keys. I keep a small carabiner hooked to my purse strap to put my keys on if I don’t have a good front pocket.
I also like going bagless, but women’s pants pockets are not very cooperative. I’m wearing an old pair of jeans my son grew out of right now with manly pockets - they are great.
My SIL posted on facebook a while back about a company that was making women’s professional clothes with larger pockets. It might have been this one: https://argentwork.com/
I’ve gone back and forth between a tote bag, shoulder bag, or top handle bag over the years. Each has its positives and negatives. Currently, I’m in tote bag mode. Since the beginning of summer, I’ve been using a gray Fendi tote that takes me pretty much everywhere. Inside, I keep a zipper pouch that contains lipstick, lip balm, a tube of concealer, Advil, tissues, a couple of bandaids, small tubes of sunscreen and hand lotion, a hair elastic, and a small container of dental picks. If I change bags, I can transfer the pouch in a second. I also carry in the tote a small wallet, sunglasses, reading glasses, phone, and keys. Going out for an event or nice dinner, I always switch to an evening clutch - all that goes in there are tissues, one lipstick, and a phone. If I’m going with H - no money, credit cards or ID - probably not a good idea!
I have a couple of questions.
Those of you that don’t carry purses, what do you do when you wear clothes (especially dresses) that don’t have pockets to carry your stuff in?
And, those of you that carry checkbooks, why? Do you prefer writing checks to using credit/debit cards when you are out running errands?
What’s a checkbook? Haven’t used one in 5 years. 
I’m at a bit of a crossroads right now. Historically, I liked one nice bag – to me “nice” is Kate Spade, Longchamp, Rebecca Minkoff, etc. vs Fendi, Chanel, YSL, etc. I do have Bottega Venetta larger bag and a small Guggi purse that were gifted to me by a very nice relative who didn’t end up caring for them. I’m also a bargain hunter and get a thrill when I find a find my “perfect” nice bag so don’t think I’ve ever paid full price for my bags.
So, I used to carry one nice larger bag but, as I’ve gotten older, I really love the freedom of a crossbody and don’t like changing purses more often that I have to. I often need to carry 3 pair of glasses so that means a small crossbody generally doesn’t work. So, lately, I find I’m switching from a larger bag to a crossbody (when I don’t need my up close or distance glasses, for example, and will be walking or carrying my bag quite a bit) too often.
I also like at least an 11" drop so that it’s easy to pick up my purse and swing it onto my shoulder.
In my purse I always have: wallet, 2-3 pair of glasses with a case or two, tissues, 2 pens, lip balm or lipstick, gum and my phone. Some days and/or when I travel I have a water bottle, coupons/gift cards, back up charger, floss, advil, my favorite nail polish that my salon doesn’t carry and probably a few other things I can’t think of right now.
My current wallet style is the best I’ve ever had and hope this style lives on. A quick search only revealed a much thinner model – mine has slots for cards on both sides but the key is the one snap that opens and closes quickly and easily:
https://www.katespade.com/products/spencer-small-slim-bifold-wallet/PWRU7749.html
I used to have just one at a time (wallet-size organizer) that I’d wear cross-body until it fell apart. I’m now crocheting purses with zippered removable linings to make changing from one to the other easy as well as washable:
https://yarnandchai.com/shop/malia-shoulder-bag-cal-version/
I have modified this one, which is totebag size, to purse size and added the lining. I now have several in different colors and variations. My friends keep me busy with requests.
Even though this purse is much larger than the wallet organizer, I still carry just a credit card, driver’s license, comb, pen, phone, and chapstick.
I keep a small makeup bag in the console of my car that has lip balm, pen, concealer, eye liner, and rollerball perfume. Since I usually carry a small crossbody, it’s a convenient set of secondary items. I can throw it in my purse when I switch to full sized purse/tote.
There was a hilarious article in the WSJ a few days ago about people (usually younger) who have given up carrying purses.
I usually switch out every season- maybe mid-season if something new catches my eye. My ideal purse is bigger on the inside than the outside, according to my husband. I now use a nice Frye or other good leather tote that zips because I carry too much stuff. Chargers, adapters, wallet, some makeup, phone, cards (affinity program stuff, business cards etc) and pens. And sunglasses. I have a multi-colored Dooney tote that I got this summer that is really fun.
On the rare occasion that I wear a dress I do use a purse.
I hold my wallet, phone and keys in my hand. Or put them in a coat pocket.
If going out with my husband, no wallet. And possibly put my phone in his pocket.
If a special event, I will break down and use a purse. Which odds are I will forget to take home with me 
I have one purse that I use until it falls apart. The current one is gray, mid size with a long strap so I can wear it cross body or over my shoulder. It always contains my wallet, keys, pen, recent receipts, reading and sun glasses, and a small tape measure. Usually my phone is in my pocket, the phone fit test is part of trying on pants.
@ChoatieMom are you taking orders??
I typically buy nice leather pocketbooks/purses (personally hate the term “handbag” but don’t judge those who use that terminology!) but my mother always buys me Vera Bradley bags, so I do rotate those in every so often. I like bags with lots of pockets/zipper areas because when I’m driving or otherwise engaged, I can always tell where something is. I pretty much only carry a wallet, an envelope with coupons (that I never, ever use, lol), a small brush, a lint roller (white dog), a list of books I want to read (for trips to the library), lipstick, hand cream, business cards, and a pocket with pens, a Tide to Go stick, and emery boards.
“And, those of you that carry checkbooks, why? Do you prefer writing checks to using credit/debit cards when you are out running errands?”
I discovered that the checkbook is the perfect shaper for my WOC, ?. Plus, knowing it is there helps locate it on those rare occasions when a check is needed (like the boiler co that would not take any other form of payment… just do not have that much cash around).
I have a few small crossbody bags in different neutral colors. They have to be big enough to hold my reading glasses, sunglasses, kleenex pack, and a few small items. They also need a pocket (preferably with a zipper) for drivers license, credit cards, cash, insurance card, etc.
When I travel and need to carry more I carry my longchamps tote bag and throw small bag inside.
I almost never carry one.
I own 2-3 that I get out if I have to wear something without pockets. I buy them at thrift stores, I do have one nicer one that was a gift.
Even if my outfit doesn’t have pockets I sometimes just carry my phone (which has wallet attached), and possibly car keys, sunglasses maybe. I have tucked my phone into my boot to avoid carrying a bag before
When traveling I do sometimes carry one for passport, phone, tickets, etc.
YUP!
Oh I almost started this exact thread! I vacillate between carrying a small cross-body and a bigger bucket bag. Half of me says, I need a big bag because I like to have a wallet, keys, phone, readers, hand sanitizer, lipgloss, business cards, etc on me.
But then if I am running errands, it’s a PITA to carry and I want to use my small Baggalini. But it can’t hold everything. (Needing reading glasses really affects my purse strategy!)
Another issue is, at work I often have to bring a tote with files or a notebook and carrying my nice big Rebecca Minkoff bag plus a tote makes me look like I am getting on an airplane! If I have the small baggalini I can tuck that in the tote.
I do love the utility of the baggalini bags and the fact that I can get caught in the rain etc and not have to worry. Plus they zip closed so even if I shove my credit card back in I know it won’t fall out.
I try to slim down my wallet but I have so many cards: my credit card, DH’s business credit card, work credit card, my parents account credit card, health insurance cards, license, store CC with perks, AAA card, etc etc. At least I can get rid of most of the loyalty cards as the grocery store just lets you input your phone number.
Haven’t written a check in 7 years. One handyman said he wanted a check. I asked if Zelle pay would work and he was thrilled when I emailed as we stood there and he put it right into his bank account. Said he was going to request from clients from now on who didn’t have a check at the ready.
I can’t imagine going bagless. I don’t find my phone or keys in my pants pockets to be all that comfortable. So you take your phone out of your pocket when you sit down? I also like my clothes to lay flat so I can’t imagine filling my pockets. Or having my jacket pockets weighed down.
I tend to use one bag at a time. I use different bags when I travel as I like a lighter weight bag when I travel. Sometimes I am lazy when I return and it takes me months to go back to a leather bag. I do the same with my wallet. I have a couple of larger wallets that I use for everyday use but have a wallet on a string from REI that I use for travel. It fits my passport, money, cards and has a zippered compartment for coins. It could be worn cross bodied.
I sometimes keep my lightweight small cross body Baggalini in my car. I stick my keys, phone and sunglasses in it if I want to take a walk or hike. I lock my wallet in the glove compartment.
I carry in my purse- 90% of the time I carry a cross body bag
Wallet- I alternate between two different leather wallets.
Lip balm
Zippered small case with a few bandaids, lozenges, extra lip balm, pen and eyeglass cleaning cloth.
Prescription sunglasses- since I gave up contact lenses I have to switch my glasses when I go from sun to inside. I used to carry a hard glasses case but have switched to a soft pouch case. I’m risking breaking my glasses but it frees up a lot of room not having a big case.
Cell phone
What I need to improve on is getting rid of the paper that accumulates in my purse. Receipts, instructions for PT exercises. Lists etc. old boarding passes.
When we go to a day to evening event my H usually sticks his sunglasses in my purse.
I use the term purse, my sister calls it a handbag, my Mom called it a pocketbook.