A woman’s handbag gives away where she was born, a study has claimed.
If she prefers a clutch like Cheryl Cole, she’s likely to be a northern lass, carrying the bare minimum – lippy. mobile phone and taxi fare home.
Six out of ten Geordie girls carry a clutch from morning to night and are now dancing with their handbags, instead of around them.
Midlands girls are easy to pick out as they have a “bag for life” attitude choosing a sensible, mid-sized handbag that works for every occasion, with TV star Cat Deeley a role model for the neutral, leather tote.
Sporty and outdoor loving Welsh women are more likely to be seen around town with a rucksack for their water bottle, trainers and lycra leggings while Scots lasses prefer a cross-body bag to keep their possessions securely strapped to their sides.
Londoners are taking their style from Victoria Beckham with oversize totes which will take them from the office to a party with enough space for a change of clothes, makeup, perfume and even hair straighteners, research by Debenhams found.
University of Hertfordshire psychologist Prof Karen Pine said: “This research demonstrates how the bag we carry, like the clothes we wear, reflects our personality.
“The handbag has become an integral part of a woman’s wardrobe and a significant part of her identity.
“The contents of her bag are highly personal and the style of bag is a shorthand way of saying, ‘This is who I am’, whether that’s career woman, sporty or practical type.”