What is in a lady’s bag?

By Damilola Origbemisuyi
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Hardly will you see a completely dressed lady without a handbag. A handbag comes in various sizes, shapes and the amount varies too. It comes in various colours and some women use their handbags to match the colour of their clothes.

Handbags have become a necessity that a lady feels incomplete without them, they are so attached to handbags that they are always ready to pay a fortune just to acquire one. And funny enough, you will hardly find a lady with only one handbag. Its just like an accessory to them.

Luxurious and designer handbags are shopping items which ladies can’t avoid purchasing. When we talk about style and fashion, ladies  always try to find different ways which will make them look their best. Even if these designer handbags are quite expensive, they constantly search for plenty of options just to buy a handbag which will make them stand out.

Going to places without handbags is hard for women. Handbags are not only used for style purposes, but are also useful in carrying daily items in them. Ladies keep their different belongings in them because they can easily retrieve them from their handbags anytime they are in need of them.

Handbags play an essential role in the life of modern ladies.  These days, there is a large variety of stylish handbags available in the market. Ladies can choose any of them as per their choices. Different colours of handbags such as black, green, red, peach, orange, purple and lots more that can easily match with different outfits are also available.

Ladies’ handbags are considered as a fashion statement that can either break or make style. Using these stylish bags, ladies can easily carry their important personal belongings along with her. They can easily keep their medicines, wallets, cosmetics, phones and many other valuables which they need on a daily basis.

This may make you wonder how many types of handbags we have. Well, the answer to that is uncertain, because daily, different styles, colours, designs and patterns of bags emerge. These types of handbags include the shoulder handbag, which is the most common handbag and is usually used for official outings, The sling bag is usually used for shopping. The clutch bag is usually used for attending parties and lots more.

Handbags come in various shapes and sizes, in different colours and different brands. Some women like them cutely tucked under their arm, some like them slung, some carry them in their hand and some on their shoulder. No matter what the make is, a lady’s  handbag is her prized possession, because inside it lies lots of items that are dear and useful to her.

In every lady handbag you open, you are certain to find some items inside. What exactly are those items ladies always have in their handbags that make them always go out with them? In an interview with The Hope, some ladies give names of items that are always in their handbags.

“I do my makeup on the go a lot, so a makeup bag is necessary for me, because I don’t like my foundation or makeup to pour inside my main bag, so I will put my cosmetics inside my makeup bag and put the makeup bag inside my handbag,” said a lady who simply identified herself as Praise. She also said that inside her handbag one was certain to find a pair of earrings, which always comes in handy anytime she has to attend an impromptu outing; a hair band; a hair brush, a notebook and sometimes a bubble gum. “My phone is another thing you will definitely find in my handbag,” she added.

Osuolale Halimat, another lady who said she did not go out without carrying a handbag or at least a purse, mentioned the items that were always in her handbag to include inhaler, lipstick, money, lip balm,  phone charger, power bank, books and ATM card. She said, “Because I’m an Asthmatic patient, my attack may come anytime or I may have to lend my inhaler to an asthma patient so you will always find an inhaler in my handbag. I make use of it anytime I have an attack or anytime I feel I may likely have an attack. Also,  if I need to  adjust my makeup or I feel as if my lip is dry, my lipstick always comes in handy. At least,  I make use of ATM three times a week, so I’m always with my ATM card as well”.

She also said that sometimes, if the handbag she carried was a big one, then, one was likely to find her laptop inside the bag. She also stated that if the dress she was putting on did not have a pocket, her handbag would serve as a wallet for her money. “Also, because of the poor nature of electricity we are experiencing in Nigeria, my phone charger always goes with me anywhere I’m going, because you can’t say when you will be opportuned to charge your phone,” she further added.

“In my handbag, you will definitely see pampers, books, Biros, clothes, pants, socks and other baby items,” said Solomon Kehinde, a nursing mother.  “I have to change my baby pampers most times, so at least a pair of pampers is always inside my bag. Also, baby items such as socks, pants, clothes and powder is always inside my bag.” She further added that because she was a primary school teacher, items such as books, Biro, chalk and pencils were not always found wanting in her handbags.

Adebayo Tolulope submitted that, the items always in her bags included identity card, jotter and ATM card. She said that these three items were always in her handbag and never for once had she forgotten to carry any of them with her. When asked the reason for always carrying these items, her simple reply was, “For personal use. Jotter is for writing important things down. ID card for my identification. ATM is for financial purpose”. She further mentioned that she could not go out without carrying a handbag or at least a purse, In her words, she said that “handbags serves as a means of security because it helps you keep your important items and makes it difficult to misplace them.”

“Perfume, roll-on, lip gloss, handkerchief, condom and lots more are the items you will find in my bag,” said Adekanye Victoria, a lady who spoke with The Hope. Stating the reasons for having those items in her bag, she said,  “As a lady, you can’t say, you may be horny and need to get laid, in such cases you will thank God for having a pair of condom in your bag. Also I love smelling nice, that is why I’m always with a perfume and a roll-on.

I’m not really a fan of lipstick, so my lip gloss always comes in handy anytime my lip feels dry. When sneezing or coughing, or I have to sit down but the chair is dirty, my handkerchief is always useful. Also, if during my monthly flow, a pair of pad is always in my handbag because I will have to change, except if I won’t stay long in the place I’m going”.

Another lady, who simply identified herself as Oluwaseun, said that she could not go out without carrying an handbag. “I’m used to carrying bag and I feel empty without it,” she sadi.  She mentioned the items in her bag to include roll-on, pen, a jotter, face towel, lipstick and powder. Saying the reasons for always having those items in her handbags, she said, “When I need to write something down I make use of my pen and jotter.  My powder and lipstick are useful when I need to adjust my makeup. Face towel also does a lot of things. When I want to sneeze, cough, clean off sweat or clean a seat, I make use of my face towel.

Origbemisuyi, an Intern with The Hope, is a student of AAUA.