What your bag says about you (From Bournemouth Echo)

What your bag says about you

8:40am Tuesday 7th July 2009 in

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IF you are looking for clues to a woman’s personality, then sneak a peak at her handbag and its contents.

According to a new study, your choice of tote and what you put in it reveals more about your character than you might expect.

TV psychologist Anjula Mutanda says our bags are “an extension of who we are”.

“The style of bag we choose sends out a conscious message about our outer personalities, stating this is how I want you to see me.

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“Our inner personalities, who we really are, are often hidden within purses and tend to reveal much more about what’s going on in our lives.”

Independent style consultant Lucy Rosseter, from Bournemouth, says she loves her big handbags which, according to Anjula, puts her in The Nurturer category – see Eva Longoria.

“I always like to prepare for every eventuality.

“I carry everything from several different lipsticks to tissues, umbrellas, plasters as well as my mobile phone and large Filofax,” says Lucy.

“I could never go out for an evening with just a clutch bag.

“The problem is I usually end up carrying half of my friends’ things too.

“I’m probably too organised and just end up creating more work for myself.”

Meanwhile new research shows that the fairer sex could be hoarding as many as 63 different objects in their handbags.

Other than the usual suspects, such as purses and keys, there were a few unusual objects including detachable car CD players and screwdrivers for repairing glasses.

Despite this, 92 per cent of these items weren’t seen as being useful by the 1,300 women surveyed by Kleenex and over half of respondents, 57 per cent, admitted they only use between one and five of those items on a regular basis.

The same five items were also voted the most useful: purse, keys, phone, pack of tissues and a pen and notebook – all of which featured higher than make-up.

Anjula adds: “This research shows that whilst we recognise that we don’t need all these things cluttering up our handbags we do still tend to cling on to objects “just in case” – we are nurturers by nature and therefore prepare accordingly.

All we really need though is just five essential items, as identified in the research, that will actually have a use on a day-to-day basis when we are out and about.”

Anjula’s top tips on de-cluttering your handbag...

• Choose a bag that fits with your lifestyle and with what you need, nothing much more.

• Clear out your handbag when you get in every night to rid it of those unnecessary items – only carry the essentials.

• Choose a purse that does the job and no more – you don’t need a brick!

• Kick out unnecessary keys and hefty key chains.

• Try weighing your things to see how realistic you are being.

If they are too heavy then you could consider using compact versions wherever possible: smaller purses, a smaller notebook, a mini-sized pocket pack of tissues etc.

Minimalist Perfection No matter what size bag Madonna carries, this woman is focused and driven.

With a constant awareness of trends, Madonna’s outer personality reveals a woman in charge and fashion savvy.

She gave us a peak inside at a recent do: a magnifying mirror, hair clips, skin blotting tissue and a lip gloss.

There was no unnecessary clutter in keeping with her well-ordered nature which suggests she’s not afraid to get rid.

Designer Chic Paris is fortunate to be able to indulge in all the latest fashion trends.

Bold colours, designer labels and showy accessories hold no fear for her whatsoever.

However, as her bags tend to be glamorous ornaments that may not always be practical, she has a canny contingency plan.

Behind the scenes she surrounds herself with people who will have all the heavy duty items she needs.

Classic Poise Jennifer is often seen with a black, albeit stylish, bag which suggests that good quality, understated and practical are key points for her.

Classically poised types tend to choose their definitive style and stick to it, which would suggest someone who wants to feel secure and is uncomfortable with change.

This woman tends to be discreet, can be quite secretive and only has a few loyal friends that she keeps close to her.

The Nurturer Eva has a taste for the over-sized bag.

This type of woman often thinks ahead and errs on the side of caution.

A nurturer by nature, this type of person is usually reliable too.

She is sometimes in danger of prioritising others ahead of herself.

Like her over-flowing bag, she may have difficulty de-cluttering things that are past their sell-by date, like relationships that may be weighing her down.