Lippy.. keys ..earphones ..& a tripod
As average handbag revealed to hold 3kg.. we ask what’s in yours?
Ching Rungcharoenwikrai, 20, a biochemistry student, carries her iPad, notes, books, pencil case, chocolate, comb, key, make-up, purse, phone and glasses case. “Some days I carry my laptop so my bag will weigh more. I carry a backpack.” Jess Ruth, 28, a charity worker, carries her purse, keys, make-up, receipts, phone, tissues and phone charger. “If I’m working I will also have a laptop, notepad, charger, pens and leaflets. I experience back and shoulder pain.” Denise Bennett, 69, a retired sales worker, carries her brush, purse, pair of gloves, cigarettes and carrier bags. “I’ve always carried a big bag but there isn’t much in it. It’s more about having space to carry shopping.” Beverley Kraus, 59, is retired and lives in Florida. She carries her hair dye, phone, brush, glasses, bottle of pop, lip balms, and a purse. “My bag feels heavier because my purse is full of change.” Lucy Chester, 19, a special effects make-up student, has makeup, pens, pencil cases, notebooks, spare clothes, purse, brush, phone and hair kit. “I do body art which can be very messy so I carry spare clothes.” THE average woman carries 17 items in her handbag – the weight of three bags of sugar.
The 3kg weight leaves 63% of women with regular back pain, according to Aspinal of London.
We headed to Manchester to take a peek in women’s bags and compare them to some celebs. Prea Gill, 36, a fitness coach and property developer, carries her purse, braces case, spoon, umbrella, protein yoghurt, rice cakes, perfume, sunglasses, mints, plus a laptop bag. “I am strong but am carrying almost a stone.” Dana Pitiset, 22, a marketing student, carries her charger, purse, make-up, laptop, keys, headphones, phone and books. “My bag is heavy and my back hurts. I carry so much because I don’t want to go back home if I realise I’m missing something.” Stacey Wilkinson, 39, the owner of a tech recruitment agency, carries her laptop, charger, gloves, earphones, lipstick, mirror, perfume, keys, phone, chewing gum, tripod and sunglasses. “I take my laptop and my tripod with me at all times as I have my own business and I am a digital nomad. But I had a back injury in 2013 and carting this weight around is not doing anything at all to help it.” Erin Warren, 17, a make-up artist, carries her chop sticks, lunch, inhaler, purse and baby wipes. “I like to travel light. It’s far easier to carry things on my back and I always put my phone in my pocket. I feel more free.” Laura Connor, Daily Mirror Features Writer “When I was trying to find my purse to buy a glass of wine I ended up emptying the contents onto the bar. Out came a sweaty sports bra, laptop, used tupperware, a notepad, make-up bag and pumps. That was an organised day.”