I have about 5. One I carry every day (this one [link] which is AWESOME), and a couple of dressy bags, and some old ones, which I keep around in case I need them.
'Just Rewards (2)'
Natter 60: Gone In 60 Seconds
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
And then I carry a satchel to work.
Oh yeah. Whatever handbag I'm carrying is completely separate from my bookbag. (My MCR bookbag, because I am completely devoid of shame.)
The leather satchel is in need of a good cleaning treatment. It's 12 years old and kinda beat up. But I love it. Handmade in Prague. I've spilled water and robitussin in it. I've mashed bananas into it. None of that ruined it at all. But the leather needs a good conditioning.
Julie, may your cat get bored and come home.
I have three purses--the everyday one that's big enough to hold everything, including a book or two up to trade paperback size, and with a long enough strap that I can wear over my shoulder to be hands-free, a fancy clutch I almost never use, and a tiny cloth one in a sort of Indian patchwork that's just big enough to hold ID and money.
I have a couple of purses I use regularly, but I use them interchangeably with totes and cloth bags depending on how much stuff I have. I never want to carry more than one bag. I have one little going out purse that gets used probably once every couple of months.
I carry a purse, a bag for my lunch and books and a laptop bag. I would love a purse big enough to replace the bag, but the one I have doesn't have straps long enough. I probably have about 20 bags, but I carry one at a time until I get bored and switch, although I would really prefer to have the energy to at least have the bag match my shoes.
I never carry a purse. I may have one stuffed in the back of a drawer somewhere.
I so fail at the girl thing.
But...what do you put your stuff in?
Backpack/laptop bag, and pockets. Mostly, I find that I need to carry about a hundred times less than I assumed I did when I had a stuff-carrying-thing on me at all times.
I don't carry a purse, unless I'm Dressed Fancy For An Event (which happens less often, now). For workdays, I have my black messenger bag with all of my crap in it, and I just put what I need into my jacket pockets otherwise.
Mind, I usually only carry my (small) wallet, cell phone, keys, and lip stuff. And maybe my iPod.
I do own... 4 purses. Two very fancy dress, one shaped like a corset, and one basic.