Your purse in bike pannier

[shootingstar]

..well if you have/have to carry one, what does it look like?

I've had to do this several times, not often. And usually it is work-related thing.

I have a small black handbag, quite small purse. It is the lightest and neatest thing that I can cycle with inside my pannier with my dressy change of clothing ....but unfortunately it does look almost too cutesy, almost outdated.

AFter all, isn't the fashion to carry a large, carpetbag looking purse with huge buckles, etc.?

[sgtiger]

I personally don't do those carpet bag style purses. The purse I use most often is one I purchased a couple of years ago at Pike Place Market created by a local craftswoman. It's a fabric purse that has various strips of Asian print fabrics quilted on the front. A couple of the strips of fabric, I was told, are from antique kimonos. Since my purse is soft I can fold it over and stuff it in my handlebar bag with my wallet, checkbook and keys still in it.

I'll post some pictures for you later.

[Becky]

I'm so unfashionable that it's not even funny, so take this with a grain of salt.

I made a small drawstring bag that slips easily inside my pannier with all my purse junk in it. Most days, this is sufficient since I'm only leaving the building for site visits (informal, get dirty sort of affairs). I've considered leaving a more fashionable purse at the office, just in case I need to go off-site for a meeting or whatever.

[Triskeliongirl]

I carry a very tiny purse, its just big enough to hold my cell phone, keys, ID and pocket money. I cycle with my cell phone and keys in my jersey or jacket pockets, so the purse lies very flat in my carradice bag (i tuck it in the pocket on the outside of my jannd computer padded case), and then wear it at work strung over my shoulder to hip so I have my keys, ID, and cell phone handy at all times.

I have a larger purse at home, but usually I just use this when travelling. Its a great LLbean mini-messenger bag I got at their last sale. Great for holding that extra bit of stuff you need when travelling.

I have no clue what 'fashion' dictates, I like making my own fashion.

[KnottedYet]

I don't have a purse.

My stuff is generally in my pockets. I do have some packpacks and bookbags, and one of them will fit in my huge Ortlieb pannier if I wanted to do that.

[Trek420]

No purse. I carry a wallet, keys, cell phone. Timbuctoo (sp?) backpack or bike bag has all that 'cept the wallet. Leaves room for a sketchbook, whatever book I'm reading now, and when riding it has my spare tube and mini pump.

[Grog]

I have purses because I like bags, but I really just use them when I go out for a nice dinner wearing dressier clothes.

Otherwise I'm with Knot in the "purseless" club.

ETA: with the current wave of purse snatching in Vancouver, I don't regret my decision!

[Crankin]

I have lots of purses, but I just started using the "smallest" bag made by Timbuktoo for everyday around town and when I ride the train into Cambridge. It fits all my normal stuff, plus if for some reason I needed to go somewhere on my road bike, I can sling it over my shoulder, and slip my light weight Keens in there and take my road shoes off upon arrival. It also fits into the pannier on my Jamis. My textbooks and notebooks are too big for it, though. I think it will fit into my Basil "briefcase."
I also have a really small black leather purse that my husband bought me in Paris. It fits anywhere, but the zipper is breaking. I think I will have it fixed, because it is nice to use when wearing professional clothes.

[OakLeaf]

Very ugly but so practical I don't care. At least it comes in different colors and fabrics. My only gripe about it is that the phone pocket has a magnetic closure, which means it's possible for the phone to drop out if I grab the purse upside down (also I have to be careful with it around the computer). Also, the phone pocket is a little bit deep for my phone, so I have to fish around for it.

But anyone who took fashion advice from me would have to be either crazy or blind. Probably both.

[divingbiker]

I've got that same bag, Oakleaf! Only mine is very old, so there's a velcro closure on the phone slot.

It is indestructible (looks the same as the day I bought it) and is so handy and practical I also don't care that it's ugly.

And I've got snap hooks on my keys and my sunglasses case, so I hang them off the strap D-rings. I love this bag.

[OakLeaf]

And I've got snap hooks on my keys ...so I hang them off the strap D-rings.

Yup, yup, yup. Also a mini LED flashlight and, when I'm traveling, a 1/2 oz bottle of hand sanitizer

[KnottedYet]

I've got a serious case of the hots for this: http://www.titlenine.com/shopping/pr...keyword=729500

mainly cuz it's "expandable" just by moving the strap clips. Very elegant solution to the One Bag problem.

oh, and the silver/merlot color combo is nice...
(and it zips shut. my bags must zip shut or I lose things)

[shootingstar]

When we bike tour where in the evening after day's ride, we go out to eat, I do carry a wallet if I have to but prefer not to. But am wearing clothing that doesn't fit a wallet well. This is when it's just not worth cycling 2 kms. to a restaurant.

So I've been hunting around over past few months for a small casual purse that is secure but small, not heavy in pannier. And of course has to be crushable inside pannier.

Yes, cycling can transform one into fashion-practical.

When I wasn't cycling, I've had several incidents of accidentally leaving behind my purse or wallet ..but getting it back. Yea, some incredible stories you wouldn't believe.

[surgtech1956]

No purse. Carry what I need in my pockets or have a small backpack/messenger bag I carry to work.

[shootingstar]

One thing for certain, I haven't carried a cosmetic bag in years. I just put my lotions,etc. in a plastic bag. It's often not even Ziplock. Just fold down the top and stick in my pannier ..or suitcase.