Walking around without a purse

August 15th, 2012 by everydayminimalist

 

The other day I went out with just a jacket, jeans, my minimalist silver ID wallet and my iPod Touch.

See below:

Nothing else.

I cannot tell you how many times people stopped me in the stores I was browsing in (mostly clothing ones), to ask me if I was an employee.

A couple of times, they were telling me it’s because I had such a nice looking jacket on (??) but the rest of the time it was pure mistake.

For the record, I wore a bright purple Lululemon jogging or gym jacket, so it wasn’t a suit jacket or anything like that.

I’d also like to think that they probably thought I looked like a college student :P

Then I realized something: As a woman without a purse, a bag or something in my hands, it looks weird.

Guys can go around in just their outfit and their wallets, empty-handed and blend in perfectly.

Women on the other hand, always have a purse or a bag of some sort. So without one, we’re mistaken for being employees in a store because the markers of client (woman shopper) aren’t there.

This is of course, completely unscientific and unproven.

It was only one walk, but it sure made me think!

Posted in Minimalism | 18 comments

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  • http://twitter.com/raininblack Brianna Leigh Stefan

    I just started reading about minimalism and thought this was an interesting post. Keeping my rescue inhaler in my pocket is really awkward so I had to start carrying a purse around at a young age and though I hated it then, I definitely carry way too much around now (my back is obviously displeased). I walk to work most days and recently I just started using a messenger bag as a purse and I carry everything I need (or might need) in there. I try to be prepared for anything and everything (like, I carry eye contact solution and my glasses in case my eyes start bothering me) but I’m probably overdoing it. My family jokes around and calls it my Go-bag! Maybe I should buy a few things just to leave in my locker at work or something. Definitely something to think about. Thanks!

  • Tomteboda

    I wish I could go bagless, but my asthma and allergies force me to carry an inhaler and pills at all times. Instead I try to use the smallest bag possible. I didn’t cave into the purse until I couldn’t get by without the inhaler on me.

  • http://thehumbleminimalist.blogspot.com/ marie

    I’d be curious to know what you do if you have to spend the whole day out or go “far”. Do you still manage to go purse-free? The only thing I have found that lightens my load at the moment is furoshiki, but it’s not perfect. I, like you, would like to be able to go purse-free. My goal is to do it most of the time, but I’m not sure how it would work (I live downtown, don’t own a car, and I do spend the whole day out all around town and such).

  • http://msirismg.tumblr.com/ Iris M. Gross

    I did for a while, then got back to using one again. What I find myself doing is not leaving all my valuables in one spot. I was victim of a smash & grab a few years ago, so I no longer keep my iPod, phone, & wallet in the same purse at the same time. Thieves don’t usually take time to rummage, so with all the compartments in a car nowadays I take advantage of it. I’ll keep the purse in the car and just carry a small clutch with me into the library or to places that require money. And, I tend to use my debit card more now so that’s even less reason to carry money.

  • Sam

    No can’t do! Need a bag for my book and camera that go with me everywhere.
    And keys, phone wallet.
    That’s it, don’t get the girls who carries humongous make up bag everywhere!

  • Mary

    I feel both naked and liberated when i go out without a purse. Who needs to tote a phone everywhere? All I really need is an id, $20 just in case, and a key to my front door.

  • Jane

    I usually go without a bag. I did use a bag when my son was little, but even that was minimal. I never saw this as a feminist issue or anything, I just discovered that I didn’t need to carry that much crap around.

  • http://girlinburberry.blogspot.com/ Jane Bloomwood

    I am actually jealous. I have asthma so I have to carry an inhaler. Then on top of that, I always have eczema break outs or random rashes so I have a million different creams with me.

    It’s the worst especially because as I get older and more conditions are flaring up, my purses just get larger. :-(  

    • http://twitter.com/raininblack Brianna Leigh Stefan

      I have a few medical issues (asthma included) so that’s why I can’t go bag-less. I’m 20 and it’s already pretty big, can’t imagine how much bigger it’ll get when I get older! Blah.

  • Jessica Parsons

    I did the Minimalist Wallet series here and learned a lot!

    I downsized my wallet not long ago – here is the story.

    http://minimalistmum.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/wallet-minimalism-and-handbag-sexism.html

  • Meglafollette

    This has totally happen to me. Walking around without a purse on (just a small wristlet) I have been asked if I work at the store and where things are.  This has happened to me most often at Victoria Secret it seems.  I love going without a purse.  I actually bought a Vera Bradley Wristlet just for this purpose.  Though it’s definitely easier when wearing an outfit with shorts.

  • TatiLie

    Since you wrote about your ID wallet (a couple of years ago, maybe) I’ve been looking for one. I searched the internet and found a nice one from White House Black Market so I waited until my recent trip to the US (last May) to get it. It was totally worthy waiting for and I love my ID wallet. I’ve used in a wedding party and I’ll never buy a party purse again. I’ve also used for a night out with friends and was great to not have a handbag weighing me down. So, what I mean is Thank You for this great tip.

  • http://www.moneyaftergraduation.com/ Gillian @ Money after Grad

    This is so true ! When I worked in retail, I would go shopping in other stores on my break (for things I definitely shouldn’t have bought) and because I had no purse, people would stop me all the time. It’s funny they stopped you when you had a LuLuLemon jacket on though… although they are amazing and nicely made they are too casual for work attire !

  • http://twitter.com/klx09 Kathi

    I hate purses – they always get in the way.  When my pants don’t have big enough pockets, I often use a Hipzbag, which I’ve found just big enough for phone, credit cards, Carmex, and keys.  
    http://shop.hipzbag.com/index.php/sport-bags-2/

    • http://thehumbleminimalist.blogspot.com/ marie

      Those are pretty cool but they might be difficult to match with some outfits, no?

  • http://twitter.com/BraveIntrovert +eri*keene

    I love the idea of going without a bag!  But I find that most women’s jeans/pants are cut too tightly to hold things like car keys AND a wallet AND a phone.  That’s if they even have pockets!  I carry as small a bag as possible with a shoulder strap for hands free shopping.  Yeah, guys can go hands free.  But what do they do when they need hand sanitizer or a kleenex?  They ask us!  HA!

  • http://simplysuperkim.com/ Kimberly

    I would love to ditch the purse, but between my lipgloss, keys, hand sanitizer and wallet, I’m not sure I could. However, the only bag I own is a small Healthy Back that I love and have been using it for about 15 years now. I will say that the idea of carrying only a wallet and phone is very intriguing, though.

  • Patricia Holmlund

    About 25 yrs. ago I was in a car accident and had whiplash which necessitated ditching the purse….and I haven’t looked back.  I have found that having only what I need with me (id, driver’s licence, credit/debit card and some cash) has been extremely freeing.