We’ve heard it again and again. When men visualize a woman’s purse, they tend to describe something along the lines of Mary Poppins’ magical, never-ending, possibly overstuffed handbag. Ridiculous, right? Right?
Okay, so maybe there’s some truth behind the myth. Whether we’re totally messy and throw everything we’d ever need into a great big pile of purse mess, or we stuff our goods in smaller, organized-by-item pouches for the neat purse look, we’re probably guilty of carrying these common items around at some point or another. But hey, we like to be prepared, okay?
1. Phone
There’s no way you can expect us not to carry around our trusty cell phone. What if there’s an emergency? What if we’re in a socially awkward situation and need to seem cool, important, or busy?
2. Wallet
“Isn’t that just a mini-purse?”, they ask. “Isn’t that excessive?” No. No it is not.
3. Keys
This is just another must-have. Even if it drives us crazy that we’re somehow always jingling.
4. Cash
So maybe we’re broke. But even if there’s none stashed in our wallet, we’ve definitely invested (too much?) money in whatever purse we’re carrying. That counts for something, right?
5. Change
So much loose change… and probably not in our wallets, either. Parking meters are no match for us.
6. Gift/Credit Cards
We have no idea how much is left on this Starbucks gift card. But it sure feels great to do this.
7. Business Cards
We’ve picked these up at various networking events over the years. Will we use them? Probably not. It’s the thought that counts. We’re professional, alright?!
8. Receipts
These are just permanent reminders of our shopping problem. And that shirt we’ll never return.
9. Gum Wrappers
You won’t catch us littering.
10. Hand Sanitizer
Yes, we have three, and yes, two are probably unopened. But they were five for $5, and we couldn’t pick just one delicious scent!
11. Tampons
Probably stashed secretively. And yet, there’s somehow never enough.
12. Hair Ties and Bobby Pins
So THAT’S where they’ve all gone missing to…
13. Lip Balm
A bare necessity.
14. Mirror
Everyone needs to reflect sometimes. Or, you know, touch up their makeup.
15. Mints
…that we may have spilled everywhere.
16. Lotion
#JustGirlyThings.
17. Pens
Evil pens that create random pen marks all over our purse’s lining. Which doctor’s office did we steal these from?
18. A Pharmacy
Advil, allergy medicine, birth control—we’ve seen it all.
19. Tissues
Trust us, you don’t want to be stuck without them. And they’re all clean—we’re not slobs!
20. Coupons
That free Victoria’s Secret panty will be ours. As long as this hasn’t expired…
21. Makeup
Because last time we checked, there aren’t makeup fairies IRL.
22. Perfume
Preferably in roller form. Whoops. Smells like it leaked again.
23. Band-Aids
…in all sizes. We aren’t ashamed of being prepared. Really, you just never know!
24. Headphones
…that are probably tangled. Help.
25. Snacks
Candy, an emergency granola bar, leftovers from that restaurant you just left—you name it. We go from zero to hangry real quick.
26. Mismatched Jewelry
From when we can’t even with our earrings in the club and have to take them off. See that face? “Oh, maybe that’s where I left the backs of these earrings!” is what she’s obviously thinking.
27. Sunglasses
For everything from avoiding getting blinded while driving to hiding our faces after a long night out. Or, you know, just for looking fabulous.