I go between using purses, shoving things into my pockets/jacket pockets, or using my HIJLY fanny pack. I guess it just depends on my mood or if i'm in a hurry. I will say that the HIJLY bag is probably my favorite to use, it's so convenient!! Whenever I shove my walelt and keys into my pockets it's always a hassle to take them out lol
This is the gayest and most lesbian post ever- completely queer. As I've grown older I feel that the backpack was the go to for my twenties. Now in my late thirties I've struggled with finding something other than just using my wallet in my back pocket. Honestly, it's starting to kill my back from the constant use. It's always thick and causing more issues than I need. I always thought fanny packs were dorky af, but seeing that sleek leather one has me doing a double take. I'll never wear it around my hips since it feels too feminine- but over the shoulder seems perfect. Thanks!
Oh I love this entry. I love purses, and I love splurging on purses, too. I would also buy my mother an expensive bag for Mother’s Day or her birthday just to end up carrying it instead. However, it all depends on the occasion and if I am walking or not. Hip bags are definitely in season now and are way more convenient than purses. Purses do get in the way and get lost, but I always treat them as an accessory and store too many items inside. I don’t remember carrying purses until I was 22, though. I never needed them in High School. Always depended on my backpack or hip bags in college. Nowadays, I depend on my jacket’s pockets if I am walking, on my purse if I go out with friends or go to work to teach middle school, but I carry a laptop bag to go to teach college since I need my laptop and I can’t fit it and fit my lunchbox in a purse. Purses definitely are “feminine” and construct gender. Same thing with clutches. I love them in fancy occasions, but they’re the most useless items ever.
I have to carry a purse now hip bag because I carry an epi pen 🖊️and my inhalers .I hate carrying it. Back when my wife and I were still having our cycles ( yes we are old now) she would put her stuff in my bag . I would stuff a tampon in my socks when I thought PE 🤦🏻♀️
Tegan where did you find your cool bag you carry now?
My wife stuffs her pockets with keys and her wallet
In the 80’s I carried my stuff in my baby’s diaper bag
I've carried a purse since about middle school. Back then it held makeup I didn't (and wasn't allowed to) wear. Starting around 16-17 and through my early 20s, it morphed into much more of a go-bag than anything else, where it has stayed. Sure the old receipts and such pile up, but also I tend to carry a lot of randomness that could be useful in a pinch. Everything from a mini umbrella to a mini first aid kit to a mini lint roller.
I also prefer a bag with tons of pockets to separate everything. I hate the big black hole of totes. If there's any larger pocket, it gets filled with small clutch-style bags to further organize. One had pads/tampons/etc. One had a mini sewing kit. One was the first aid stuff (my mom was a nurse, so I tended to be the nurse of my friends). Easy "grab this bag for all X purposes" - I could leave my purse with a friend and just grab the small one to change my tampon when out at a restaurant, for example.
A backpack likely could have served me better in many stages of my purse's evolution, but also I often was already carrying a backpack. College took more than 4 years total and was spread over 15-32. To combine the two and not unnecessarily carry all my school stuff, my purse was usually something like a messenger bag. Sling that over my front while the backpack was slung over my back.
I always felt clutches and handbags that required a hand to hold were more feminine. My brain sees it in a way like "patriarchy further hindering women/femmes" and "this is an accessory for style". A messenger bag I can just throw on crossbody style, and while larger, it's not much more hindrance or protrusion than a hip sack/fanny pack to me. But there's enough extra room that it flattens reasonably (less protruding) and it has room for a small purchase/extra space (just a couple things from the grocery store or Target - no plastic bag required).
My dad likes to carry a backpack for his 1 regular sized paperback book he's reading at the moment. He has always called it his purse proudly, only half joking. The only thing any of us teased him about was having an entire backpack for one small item.
This is immensely longer than I originally intended, but I do think there's a lot to say about purses - mostly because of gender stuff and society. I think we all have a lot of feelings and thoughts about them because of all that, and it's a very visible thing, so we can't hide it while we process.
my bag, which takes many forms, is like... a safety comfort item. I always seem to have so much to carry, like my lil pharmacy bag, wallet, 2 phones (one for communication, the other to plug into the aux of my 2006 xtrail), lighters and cigs (I know, I'm terrible, working on it) and toiletries... like chap stick, hand cream, hand sanitizer, unscented wet wipes.
I always joke about how I NEVER travel light and I always need to be prepared. and I'm the friend everyone can rely for emergency meds or toiletries!
when I go to the pool, walk my dog, or go to a concert, I have significantly smaller bags I carry. one of which IS a fanny pack! I need a bigger one, though.
always a messenger type purse or bag, though. for demographic purposes,
I have 3 bags I use often and switch, so all of them have their own pack of gum, hand sanitizer and chapstick in them so I don't have to transfer items between bags every time 😂 only my wallet, keys and phone! Backpacks are my favourite because hands free! I do love hip bags for the same reason, I wore mine across my body for the crybaby tour shows, it's great. I was actually hoping you'd have one as merch again one day. Thanks for sharing!
Mar 18, 2023·edited Mar 18, 2023Liked by Tegan and Sara
Really interesting post and it’s a topic that’s always fascinated me. There are so many different names for the kind of things that you carry, that I do too. Hip bag, fanny pack, (which has never really made it to the UK as it means something else here. 👀😂) I’ve also heard it been called a “man bag” which I’ve always found to be an oddly specific gendered term. So I’ve always wondered why that is, or the one that I’d forgotten about until you mentioned it in this post, that I actually prefer. Bum bag.
Talking about not liking things in your pockets, I don’t really like that either. I used to do it all the time when I was younger until I found out about the bum bag. Now it’s my go to if I have a go somewhere where a backpack isn’t acceptable. Although I am still guilty of piling my jeans and jacket full of as much as I can carry, to the point where it’s uncomfortable! 😂
I don’t know why I do it, I think it’s because as a man, people can get so weird about me carrying a bum bag, I don’t know why that is. Whether it’s teasing or most of the time not even that, some people just feel the need to always pass comment or say something about it. Very strange.
You might have shown me an even better way to wear it though Tegan, that for some reason I’d never tried before. Tightening the strap and putting the bum back on my chest over my jacket! Why I never thought to do this before I have no idea, but thanks all the same. 😊
PS Also that new leather one you have, looks amazing! No wonder you’ve had compliments on it.
I used to carry my phone, wallet and keys in my pocket when I was younger. I’ve never owned a purse, it just didn’t seem to fit me. I’m a backpack girl. Recently I bought this super cute mini backpack and I love it. Best purchase ever. When I travel I wear a hip bag, it is just more convenient to keep all the important things close to you. Anyway, this made my day! love this post 🥰😂
Mar 18, 2023·edited Mar 19, 2023Liked by Tegan and Sara
Never have I ever had a purse. It’s both a dislike, and dare I say distrust issue. As a New Yorker I always think about how easy it is for someone to grab it and run.
I’ve always been known as the backpack girl among my friends. Be it because I was a scout (no girl/boy scouts in Israel, just scouts scouts) or because I need a lot of compartments to be happy. I mean, for me even finding a good, worthy backpack is hardly impossible (compartments of different sizes, bottle sleeves, waterproof, back support, etc.)
I also think it’s preferable to split the weight between two shoulders rather than one. I always have a book with me since… NYC, so... subway rides. Also you can carry folded tote bags in backpacks and that’s a plus if you need to do groceries!
But as I age, and try to take better care of my back, as well as acknowledge that having a stuffed backpack also has to do with control and OCD (oh hey, maybe I don’t need to carry a full water bottle to a restaurant 15 minutes away?) I try to carry less intentionally. And that does lead me to my all time fave option - things you can wear across your body, so I’m right there with you. The perfect option will be just big enough for a wallet, kindle, keys, and of course… a tampon 😂
I mostly work out at home or go boulder, but when I do walk for exercise I’m a big fan of sweat pants with pockets that have zippers. No worries about dropping anything!
Thanks for writing this post Tegan. I’m clearly very passionate about the topic.
This post 😂 I can relate though. Never owned a purse, clutch or handbag in my life and never will. I couldn’t pull it off anyway 😅 If it doesn’t fit in one of the pockets I have then it doesn’t come along. I like to know I have all my valuables on my person, as it feels safer that way plus everything is also in easy reach. Not tried a hip bag, so that may be an option. I feel like it is pretty difficult for those of us who are less on the femme side to find something that fits our aesthetics that we can take out to events/on a night out & still feel ‘ourselves’ with.
I mostly just shove everything in my pockets. My phone case holds three cards and between my phone and keys, I typically don’t need to carry more unless I’m traveling and then I’ll have a small backpack or fanny pack. But “women’s” clothes in general have shitty pockets so I typically buy “men’s” pants for ultimate pocket space. I have wondered why the Sara and Tegan OG sweatpants don’t have pockets. They are so so so comfortable, but I don’t wear them very much because I constantly try to put things in pockets that aren’t there.
Sometimes I like dressing up to go out, dressing more femme or in “girlier” clothes. But I hate fancy purses too. And never feel femme enough for them. Then I feel mismatched with my practical mini backpacks, tote bags, etc. and fancy girly outfit. I finally found the perfect middle man bag that goes for all. A small bag but w/ multiple mary poppins worthy pockets-- black nylon crossbody bag. It’s easy to wipe down so I can throw it around on more practical outings, but it looks sleek and nice enough to not look out of place with fancier outfits.
Personally, my motto is if I can't fit it in my pocket, I ain't carrying it. 🤣
And the world record for the longest story about a purse ✨goes to✨
I go between using purses, shoving things into my pockets/jacket pockets, or using my HIJLY fanny pack. I guess it just depends on my mood or if i'm in a hurry. I will say that the HIJLY bag is probably my favorite to use, it's so convenient!! Whenever I shove my walelt and keys into my pockets it's always a hassle to take them out lol
Loved this post, Tegan!
This is the gayest and most lesbian post ever- completely queer. As I've grown older I feel that the backpack was the go to for my twenties. Now in my late thirties I've struggled with finding something other than just using my wallet in my back pocket. Honestly, it's starting to kill my back from the constant use. It's always thick and causing more issues than I need. I always thought fanny packs were dorky af, but seeing that sleek leather one has me doing a double take. I'll never wear it around my hips since it feels too feminine- but over the shoulder seems perfect. Thanks!
Oh I love this entry. I love purses, and I love splurging on purses, too. I would also buy my mother an expensive bag for Mother’s Day or her birthday just to end up carrying it instead. However, it all depends on the occasion and if I am walking or not. Hip bags are definitely in season now and are way more convenient than purses. Purses do get in the way and get lost, but I always treat them as an accessory and store too many items inside. I don’t remember carrying purses until I was 22, though. I never needed them in High School. Always depended on my backpack or hip bags in college. Nowadays, I depend on my jacket’s pockets if I am walking, on my purse if I go out with friends or go to work to teach middle school, but I carry a laptop bag to go to teach college since I need my laptop and I can’t fit it and fit my lunchbox in a purse. Purses definitely are “feminine” and construct gender. Same thing with clutches. I love them in fancy occasions, but they’re the most useless items ever.
Lol, love this
I have to carry a purse now hip bag because I carry an epi pen 🖊️and my inhalers .I hate carrying it. Back when my wife and I were still having our cycles ( yes we are old now) she would put her stuff in my bag . I would stuff a tampon in my socks when I thought PE 🤦🏻♀️
Tegan where did you find your cool bag you carry now?
My wife stuffs her pockets with keys and her wallet
In the 80’s I carried my stuff in my baby’s diaper bag
I’m curious to know what Sara does with her stuff
I've carried a purse since about middle school. Back then it held makeup I didn't (and wasn't allowed to) wear. Starting around 16-17 and through my early 20s, it morphed into much more of a go-bag than anything else, where it has stayed. Sure the old receipts and such pile up, but also I tend to carry a lot of randomness that could be useful in a pinch. Everything from a mini umbrella to a mini first aid kit to a mini lint roller.
I also prefer a bag with tons of pockets to separate everything. I hate the big black hole of totes. If there's any larger pocket, it gets filled with small clutch-style bags to further organize. One had pads/tampons/etc. One had a mini sewing kit. One was the first aid stuff (my mom was a nurse, so I tended to be the nurse of my friends). Easy "grab this bag for all X purposes" - I could leave my purse with a friend and just grab the small one to change my tampon when out at a restaurant, for example.
A backpack likely could have served me better in many stages of my purse's evolution, but also I often was already carrying a backpack. College took more than 4 years total and was spread over 15-32. To combine the two and not unnecessarily carry all my school stuff, my purse was usually something like a messenger bag. Sling that over my front while the backpack was slung over my back.
I always felt clutches and handbags that required a hand to hold were more feminine. My brain sees it in a way like "patriarchy further hindering women/femmes" and "this is an accessory for style". A messenger bag I can just throw on crossbody style, and while larger, it's not much more hindrance or protrusion than a hip sack/fanny pack to me. But there's enough extra room that it flattens reasonably (less protruding) and it has room for a small purchase/extra space (just a couple things from the grocery store or Target - no plastic bag required).
My dad likes to carry a backpack for his 1 regular sized paperback book he's reading at the moment. He has always called it his purse proudly, only half joking. The only thing any of us teased him about was having an entire backpack for one small item.
This is immensely longer than I originally intended, but I do think there's a lot to say about purses - mostly because of gender stuff and society. I think we all have a lot of feelings and thoughts about them because of all that, and it's a very visible thing, so we can't hide it while we process.
my bag, which takes many forms, is like... a safety comfort item. I always seem to have so much to carry, like my lil pharmacy bag, wallet, 2 phones (one for communication, the other to plug into the aux of my 2006 xtrail), lighters and cigs (I know, I'm terrible, working on it) and toiletries... like chap stick, hand cream, hand sanitizer, unscented wet wipes.
I always joke about how I NEVER travel light and I always need to be prepared. and I'm the friend everyone can rely for emergency meds or toiletries!
when I go to the pool, walk my dog, or go to a concert, I have significantly smaller bags I carry. one of which IS a fanny pack! I need a bigger one, though.
always a messenger type purse or bag, though. for demographic purposes,
I'm a queer millenial with adhd 🤣
I have 3 bags I use often and switch, so all of them have their own pack of gum, hand sanitizer and chapstick in them so I don't have to transfer items between bags every time 😂 only my wallet, keys and phone! Backpacks are my favourite because hands free! I do love hip bags for the same reason, I wore mine across my body for the crybaby tour shows, it's great. I was actually hoping you'd have one as merch again one day. Thanks for sharing!
Really interesting post and it’s a topic that’s always fascinated me. There are so many different names for the kind of things that you carry, that I do too. Hip bag, fanny pack, (which has never really made it to the UK as it means something else here. 👀😂) I’ve also heard it been called a “man bag” which I’ve always found to be an oddly specific gendered term. So I’ve always wondered why that is, or the one that I’d forgotten about until you mentioned it in this post, that I actually prefer. Bum bag.
Talking about not liking things in your pockets, I don’t really like that either. I used to do it all the time when I was younger until I found out about the bum bag. Now it’s my go to if I have a go somewhere where a backpack isn’t acceptable. Although I am still guilty of piling my jeans and jacket full of as much as I can carry, to the point where it’s uncomfortable! 😂
I don’t know why I do it, I think it’s because as a man, people can get so weird about me carrying a bum bag, I don’t know why that is. Whether it’s teasing or most of the time not even that, some people just feel the need to always pass comment or say something about it. Very strange.
You might have shown me an even better way to wear it though Tegan, that for some reason I’d never tried before. Tightening the strap and putting the bum back on my chest over my jacket! Why I never thought to do this before I have no idea, but thanks all the same. 😊
PS Also that new leather one you have, looks amazing! No wonder you’ve had compliments on it.
I used to carry my phone, wallet and keys in my pocket when I was younger. I’ve never owned a purse, it just didn’t seem to fit me. I’m a backpack girl. Recently I bought this super cute mini backpack and I love it. Best purchase ever. When I travel I wear a hip bag, it is just more convenient to keep all the important things close to you. Anyway, this made my day! love this post 🥰😂
Never have I ever had a purse. It’s both a dislike, and dare I say distrust issue. As a New Yorker I always think about how easy it is for someone to grab it and run.
I’ve always been known as the backpack girl among my friends. Be it because I was a scout (no girl/boy scouts in Israel, just scouts scouts) or because I need a lot of compartments to be happy. I mean, for me even finding a good, worthy backpack is hardly impossible (compartments of different sizes, bottle sleeves, waterproof, back support, etc.)
I also think it’s preferable to split the weight between two shoulders rather than one. I always have a book with me since… NYC, so... subway rides. Also you can carry folded tote bags in backpacks and that’s a plus if you need to do groceries!
But as I age, and try to take better care of my back, as well as acknowledge that having a stuffed backpack also has to do with control and OCD (oh hey, maybe I don’t need to carry a full water bottle to a restaurant 15 minutes away?) I try to carry less intentionally. And that does lead me to my all time fave option - things you can wear across your body, so I’m right there with you. The perfect option will be just big enough for a wallet, kindle, keys, and of course… a tampon 😂
I mostly work out at home or go boulder, but when I do walk for exercise I’m a big fan of sweat pants with pockets that have zippers. No worries about dropping anything!
Thanks for writing this post Tegan. I’m clearly very passionate about the topic.
Next time you are on a red carpet, please wear a fanny pack. (Backpack are the best)
This post 😂 I can relate though. Never owned a purse, clutch or handbag in my life and never will. I couldn’t pull it off anyway 😅 If it doesn’t fit in one of the pockets I have then it doesn’t come along. I like to know I have all my valuables on my person, as it feels safer that way plus everything is also in easy reach. Not tried a hip bag, so that may be an option. I feel like it is pretty difficult for those of us who are less on the femme side to find something that fits our aesthetics that we can take out to events/on a night out & still feel ‘ourselves’ with.
Definitely a gap in the market!
I mostly just shove everything in my pockets. My phone case holds three cards and between my phone and keys, I typically don’t need to carry more unless I’m traveling and then I’ll have a small backpack or fanny pack. But “women’s” clothes in general have shitty pockets so I typically buy “men’s” pants for ultimate pocket space. I have wondered why the Sara and Tegan OG sweatpants don’t have pockets. They are so so so comfortable, but I don’t wear them very much because I constantly try to put things in pockets that aren’t there.
Sometimes I like dressing up to go out, dressing more femme or in “girlier” clothes. But I hate fancy purses too. And never feel femme enough for them. Then I feel mismatched with my practical mini backpacks, tote bags, etc. and fancy girly outfit. I finally found the perfect middle man bag that goes for all. A small bag but w/ multiple mary poppins worthy pockets-- black nylon crossbody bag. It’s easy to wipe down so I can throw it around on more practical outings, but it looks sleek and nice enough to not look out of place with fancier outfits.