Have you ever wondered what your handbag says about you? While the topic of women and their bags is a subject worthy of anthropological research which, sadly, has not received the scrutiny it deserves, we can say that there are basically two types of women: the one who needs nothing in life but the sun that shines, and a small purse that, with any luck, will fit a key and a cellphone. And, on the opposite side of the spectrum, the one who sees ominous clouds on the horizon unless she’s carting around all her earthly possessions … including the kitchen sink.

So, we’ve got two basic types of “bag-ladies”: The under-schleppers (those for whom bags are simply an “accessory”), and, on the other side of the spectrum, the over-schleppers (those who aren’t comfortable in the outside world without a bag that is often mistaken for carry-on luggage).

Is it a “hoarder” mentality that drives some women to subject their shoulders to weights that any sensible pack mule would balk at? Or is it the fear of not having a specific item at any given time (regardless of the fact that it may never have been needed it before, and is unlikely to ever be needed).

Women who carry their lives in their bags are sometimes vindicated when they actually do need something that’s lurking in the bottomless pit they call a “purse,” like that spare pair of heels they’ve been carrying around for 5 years. This alone is reason enough to justify things like extra sweaters, shirts, socks, underwear, and … oh, what the heck, entire wardrobes.

The sensible thing to do, of course, is to carry only what you have found that you’ve actually need on a daily basis. If you haven’t found the opportunity to use the the entire 4th aisle of Sephora that you’ve been lugging around, you are unlikely to need those 5 shades of mascara while you are out shopping or at work.

What are your thoughts? Do you see your bag foremost as a style accessory or a lifestyle necessity?