It’s in the bag!

I must be one of the only women in the world who doesn’t love purses. I see them as a bit of a logistical nightmare. Too small and I can’t cram in the kitchen sink; too big and I look like I have stolen some homeless person’s holdall. Try to add fashion or style to the mix, and I end up tearing my hair out praying that Prada’s next must-have-bag will be inspired by Mary Poppins.

However, as a functional element of a working gal’s wardrobe, there is no escaping it. It is crucial that a bag that will be carried, used and displayed in the course of your working day be carefully chosen, and well organized. A purse is a very visible part of your professional image and there are a few key points to consider before throwing one over your shoulder and marching into the rat race.

Size

Try this exercise: Make a list of the items that you think that you will need for your working day. Once you are happy with the ideal contents for your bag, take your current purse and lay everything inside it out on the floor. (If the surface of your coffee table is sufficient, I applaud you!) How many of the items on your list do you actually carry in your bag? How many extra items are there that are unnecessary clutter and weight? Decide on your final selection of must-have items, and this will give you an idea of the size of bag that you need. Keep in mind that the contents of your purse will invariably grow to fit the size of the bag, so try to be ruthless. If you frequently find yourself loaded down with paperwork, magazines, newspaper or other large items, then it’s time to find a briefcase to carry these items neatly and safely without overstuffing your purse.

Invest in ‘compact’ items, such as a collapsible hairbrush, or travel size deodorant and lipstick to keep the size and weight of your purse to a minimum.

Comfort

Years of hauling around heavy textbooks has permanently damaged my right shoulder. When I went to see a doctor, he sighed and said that it is a more and more common problem in young women, with heavy shoulder bags causing problems such as joint strain, muscle tension, headaches and nerve damage. Your bag should never be so heavy that it is tiring or painful to carry it throughout your day. The more weight your bag has, the wider and thicker the strap should be to prevent damage. If you find yourself constantly clutching your bag while dragging the strap back up to your shoulder, then perhaps a handheld purse will suit you better. Or opt for a shorter strap which you can wear over your forearm.

Style

Your purse should match your working wardrobe. Think about what colour you wear most, and choose a bag that compliments that colour scheme. If you like to change bags with the latest fashion or your outfit then make sure the contents of your bag can be swapped quickly and easily. Choosing a bag that is simple and classic will mean that it will match most styles, and stay in fashion longer. Avoid bags with gaudy patterns, quirky themes, or fussy embellishments, as these can be seen as unprofessional. Unless you work for a fun office with no dress code and no meetings with outside clients that Ms. Kitty packed lunch box style purse is not going to cut it.

Organization

Every month I have a recurring handbag nightmare. I am in an interview and reach into my bag for a pen to take an important note, but instead of my trusty ballpoint out flies a tampon (which manufacturers now so thoughtfully package in subtle fluorescent colours). A similar nightmare involves me meeting a new contact and rushing to find a business card to hand over, but leaves me fumbling among half empty chewing gum packets and crumpled receipts.

Both of these scenarios are very real and easily avoided by keeping the contents of my bag in good order. As a good rule of thumb, try to clean out your bag once a week. Discard any old receipts or notes that you don’t need, and condense your contents back to the basics.

Bags with divisions are great, and I try to find bags with at least two main compartments: one for business (notepad, pen, business cards), and one for personal (mirror, hairbrush, lipstick). Pockets can be great for storing quick-access items such as your cell phone or car keys, but you need to remember where things are for them to be efficient. Having individual compartments for your lipstick, house keys, mints or check book is great for making your bag look neat and clutter-free, but any air of organization is quickly going to evaporate if you have to spend five minutes rummaging in each compartment to find what you need.

Until Prada makes that magical ‘Mary Poppins’ bag, this advice should keep your purse choices practical and professional.