How many handbags do you have?

Dear users, dear authors,
how many bags or handbags do you have, need, or use?
Please tell me about them. :-)

It’s probably about a good dozen. Most of them have an adjustable shoulder strap.
I “carry half my household with me,” according to my husband and friends. However, I like to be prepared. My camera and its accessories take up most of the space. I usually always have my camera with me. A notepad and pens are also important. Of course, there’s the big purse, which doubles as a wallet and, according to my husband, is already the size of a suitcase. Men always have to exaggerate so much…
But I also have smaller bags, because I can’t take my big “suitcases” with me on every occasion.

When the kids were little, a wet washcloth and first-aid supplies (including an onion and a knife) were standard gear. There was always some complaining. Then, on a trip to the wildlife park, my grown son asked for that very wet washcloth. The look on his face when Mom said, “Nope, I don’t have it” was priceless... but of course I did have it with me.

Oh, I have a whole lot—a ton of them! :-); Since I sew all my own clothes, I often use fabric scraps to make a matching bag to go with each outfit. Whether it was a wedding or a First Communion, I always sewed a new outfit and a matching handbag—so with three daughters and five grandchildren, that really adds up. Then there are the various bags I’ve sewn over the years and still sew; I’ve only used many of them once or twice before they end up going to one of my daughters or my adult granddaughter. Right now I have about 8 bags in my closet, plus three backpacks, not counting the ones I’m currently using—I’ll show you a small selection of my bags that are still sitting in the closet :-)

Best regards, Inge

I have to add a few more to the list, because I found some that I still use too, depending on the occasion, etc., like this one—it’s sewn from chamois leather and faux leather and embroidered with a design from my embroidery machine.

Best regards, Inge

None at all—I hate handbags and watches, by the way. When I go out, I carry a small leather backpack for the bare essentials, and that’s it. 

@ Akela
Those are very nice handbags—each one prettier than the last 😊😊😊. I especially like the embroidered ones 😊

I have two handbags: a small one and a larger one... and another one planned 😜

Wow, Inge, those are some really beautiful bags!

I guess I’m not a “typical woman” in that regard either…
I usually stick with one handbag… and keep using it until it gets way too cluttered… (Yes, I’m a handbag hoarder!)  When I finally lose track of everything because of all the junk (don’t worry, nothing perishable! :D), I just toss it in the closet and grab a new handbag. There’s nothing worse than cleaning out bags... 

I also tend to see handbags as a necessary evil. They have to be practical, not too big, not too small, and, above all, have a long shoulder strap. I usually use the same one for months on end because I don’t feel like switching to a different one for “fashion” reasons and having to rearrange everything. I also can’t understand how anyone could spend a fortune on a designer handbag. It just wouldn’t be worth it to me.

I have three handbags. A black one, a gray-brown one, and a brown one.

Whenever I leave the house, I always have to lug around half a pharmacy with me, 1. my emergency inhaler in case I can’t breathe because of my asthma, and I also always have to carry my emergency injection kit, etc., because if a wasp or bee stings me, it’s extremely dangerous for me—my throat swells up, I have trouble breathing, etc., since I have a severe allergic reaction to it.

Best regards, Inge

So, my new handbag is finished.
Not that big, 25 x 20 cm
with a zipper and lots of inner pockets.  

Small but lovely

Best, Inge

Wow, Inge, you’ve got a great collection there. That bag made from measuring tape strips looks really original. I like it.
bergli, your little bag looks so cute. Judging by the way it looks, it could go well with a dirndl, too. Chic

Do my crocheted bags count too?
Otherwise, I’m currently using a blue leather crossbody bag (medium size).
For work, I have my big blue fabric backpack with lots of compartments (for a T-shirt, water bottle, reading glasses, a puzzle book for the train ride...)

At work, I use my crocheted bags (I switch them out often). I put my breakfast, water bottle, reading glasses, rubber gloves, and charging cable in them. I can also hang them on my trolley; the backpack stays in my locker.

For walks, I use either my two small leather backpacks or a crocheted shoulder bag.
For the evening, I have my little disco bag that I crocheted/designed myself, with a chain handle, matching my “little black dress.”

It’s all still pretty manageable. I think I have more crocheted bags than regular bags.

I used to have a lot of small handbags. They were all on the smaller side, so I could wear them crossbody. Since I’ve always had neck and shoulder problems, I could never carry handbags over just one shoulder. Still, they couldn’t be too heavy—just a wallet, cell phone, handkerchief, some candy… I always chose soft black leather because it went with everything.  In addition, I carried a tote bag on the other side with the things you need to take from A to B and that didn’t fit in the handbag with my personal items (like a water bottle, breakfast, a book, a jacket…).

Now that I no longer have to commute to the office, I only carry backpacks (Kippling). I have a small red one and a large black one. Each one can hold a lot when needed, and you can wear them centered on your back, which is easier on your back—and your hands are free. Since I like to wear sneakers, the backpack goes well with my sporty style.

Of course, I also have some small purses in my closet for “special occasions.” But I don’t use them very often. Still, they don’t take up much space. I’ve given away or donated all the handbags from my “office days.” Best regards, Ina

P.S. Your handbags are beautiful.

I’m just like Inge—I also like to have a bag that matches my outfit, so I have quite a few. Right now, I’d guess about 17 or 18. I hardly ever use some of the really small ones anymore; somehow, the list of things I need to carry with me just keeps getting longer.
I’ve even sewn some myself, and I’ve found a few patterns here—all I need now is the right fabric.