Why women need purses.

Or "I do not understand how men can get by without purses."

Recently I was reading an incredibly sweet article about men holding purses for their sick wives in oncology wards, and the sort of things that a woman should look for in a man right from the start. This is not a blog post about that.

This is a blog post about purses. Because one of the comments in the article was "why would a woman take a purse to a treatment anyway?" cause that's some crazy thing only dumb chicks do, right? I am always surprised at the 'mystery of purses' among men and, honestly, among women who are not in the habit of carrying them. It's not about having some super shiny accessory (I suppose for some it is). I don't own a purse that cost me more than $70. I do like when the purse I wear goes along with my clothing style or the season, but not so much that I change purses more than say, once a month. Currently I cycle between three purses, a cute red patterned leather one, a dressy gold one in the shape of a fan, and my current black leather.

It's about getting through the day. There are things I need with me, and even though when I'm dressed casually I have pockets in which I could carry some of my needs, this would not be nearly sufficient even in Winter when I have the extra pockets of a coat. Perhaps it will be easier to explain if I go through the daily contents of my purse:
Keys - My keychain includes a carabiner, car key, garage key, house key, work key,  and bike lock key. (also a small Lord of the Rings dangly). I need all of these things every day, and have no pocket outside of jacket pockets that could fit them, let alone attractively.
Wallet - There is no pocket I could fit my wallet in, and cutting things down into their parts (money, change, cards, receipts, coupons) would likely take up all my available pockets in a very disorganized manner. When I use my dress purse, the wallet does get nixed, but 3 cards and cash go into a pocket in the purse.
Cell Phone - I've tried carrying this in a pocket before. In any pocket close to the body (pants) buttons get pressed and things become annoying. In any pocket on an outer garment, I end up not getting calls due to not hearing the phone or feeling it vibrate, and a tendency to have to pat myself down to find it when it does ring. It has to go in the purse.
Pain Killers - a small bottle, for emergency use for myself or others.
Brush - Goes without saying. I suppose if I had very short hair I wouldn't need this.
Granola bar - Just in case, for myself or others.
First Aid Kit - V. small, with tweezers, antibacterial wipes, bandaids, etc.
Sewing Kit - Likewise small, thread, needles, tiny pair of scissors.
Leatherman's tool - For those "If only I had an awl." moments (it has happened).
Magnifying Glass/Light - Size of a stack of 3 credit cards. Allows me to read menus with my wonky eyesight.
Flashlight - Larger LED flashlight, very bright for both reading and/or emergency car repair, key search, what have you.
Measuring tape - You wouldn't believe how often this has come in handy, especially when out furniture shopping.
Wet wipes - quick cleaning, etc.  Three 1 piece packs taken from restaurants.
Soap leaves - for when the public bathroom is out of soap.
Eyeglass cleaning cloth - a must for any geek.
Hand lotion - a tiny container, the size of about seven quarters.
Makeup Bag - Granted, not a necessity for some, but for me it is. A selection of lipsticks, glosses, powders, and the like for touchups while out or when suddenly faced with "Hey, let's go dancing after work!" (what, it could happen!) When using the dress purse, this is narrowed down to one lipstick and the powder.
Tissues - Well, that's because right now I have a cold, but I try to keep one or two in there all the time.
Cough drops - Threeish, for strangers or myself.
Feminine Products - Because mother nature is a bitch who does not care about your schedule.
Pen  -  Somewhere, in the bottom, I swear.
USB drive - Carrying items that I need to shuffle back and forth from work to home, etc, as well as a labelled "Emergency" .txt file on it that includes my name and address, allergies, sensitivities, health info, doctor's number, and health insurance number. Just in case.

On top of these, I occasionally include something else, like a small notepad for shopping, a book or DS lite or PSP if I'm going to be waiting somewhere, a camera if something neat might come up, etc.

So, granted, I could do without a lot of these items I suppose, though I would curse and shake a fist if I didn't have one when I needed it, and every single thing in that purse has come in handy at one time or another (if only to prove that I was prepared for something). When I'm down to just the cards/cash/lipstick/powder I feel more than a little exposed, and it's only for occasions where I won't be gone long. But a huge chunk of those things are items that I actually pretty much do need on a daily basis, and which I could not possibly (let alone attractively) stow in my pockets.

I asked my husband last night as he grabbed his keys and wallet as we were going out the door how he got by with carrying so little. His answer?

"Because I know if I need something it's in your purse."

Aaaaaaaaah.