…no surprise there, really, but now there’s to back it!
According to a survery carried out by Kleenex Collection pocket packs, women hoard endless items in their handbags on a daily basis ? as many as 63 different objects.
Other than the usual suspects, such as purses and keys, there were a few unusual objects in the handbag mix, like detachable car CD players and screwdrivers for repairing glasses.
Despite this, 92% of these items weren?t seen as being useful by the 1,300 women surveyed and 57% of respondents admitted that they only use one to 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 makeup.
TV psychologist Anjula Mutanda says: ?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.
?What is interesting, however, is that it?s clear from the research that today?s women are demanding both fashion and function from their handbags and the products they put in them. That suggests that we?re unwilling to compromise ? basically we want it all in one handbag fix: stylish must-haves that are also useful,? she adds.
This notion is confirmed by the fact that more than half of women said they wouldn?t buy something just because it looks good and a further one in five said that they liked to buy things that look stylish.
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.
