Secure money belt for women

Yes, I wonder if it is safe to carry a purse? I don't think I could manage without mine but agree I would like to have a money belt or other means to safeguard my documents and money.

As stated money belts are not a gender issue. If you don't like the money belt idea, there are neck wallets you wear under your clothing. I personally don't like them. Rick and The Container Store have a different kind of secure wallet that can hooked through a belt loop and tucked inside your pants/skirt. I don't always wear a belt but a large safety pin (kil pin or blanket pin sold at Jo-ann's Fabrics) can be used to pin it inside your pant/skirt waist band.

Money belts are for either men or women. They are used for "deep storage" of most of your money/credit cards, not for getting into all day long. I do carry a purse with my daily cash and other items. I don't spend a lot of time in crowded urban areas, so I don't worry a lot about being secure. Regular common sense like you would use anywhere has always worked for me. I do use a money belt, though.

A properly worn money belt is just as effective for a women as a man unless you are planning to go topless. Then you need an alternate system.

I know we have had the "give up the purse" discussion before and Pat will jump on me but it is possible to go without a purse. It took my wife a number of trips to wean herself from a purse. The first was an under the arm pit bag, then a fanny pack from pacsafe,and finally nothing. We do carry a common day bag with the "essential" items and she wears a money belt with the back up credit/debit cards, etc. For the few times we do separate, we pack a small, nylon bag for her to take if she needs storage for a guide book, water bottle, etc.

Not sure what you mean, Frank. My moneybelt fits inside my pants--even lower cut ones--so it wouldn't show if I did decide to go topless!!!

Hello Kathy in Longmont (I am ten miles up the road from you!)

I always keep my cash and cards wrapped up in a small baggie in my Bra. Underneath, if you know what im saying.

Its safe in there and not going anywhere without me knowing it! I have read on here that other women do it as well.
They even make satin bra money holders for the bra.

I have had my purse opened in a busy tube station, but never lost a thing since I carry no wallet.

Ahem... this only works for somewhat ample chested women... lol...

I always wear a money belt inside my pants when I go and I never carry a purse. After about 15 minutes I normally forget all about it being there. It just becomes another layer of clothing I have on :-)

I am going to have to be a dissenter on the money belt issue. I bought a silk one and wore it around the house a bit and decided that there was no way I wanted to wear that thing all day. I bought a Pac Safe 200 bag to use instead and had no trouble. My husband wore the moneybelt with our passports (family of 4), his credit cards, and enough euros (well, you can never have enough euros) for each day. He hated it. I kept my credit cards (debit card, Visa and driver's license) in my Pacsafe bag. The bag is very ugly--you won't feel very chic if that's important to you--but it is very secure, with lots of annoying zippers and hooks to deter anyone who wants to reach into it. It's also very light and has a metal mesh lining that prevents it from being cut off easily. We had a great trip with no theft issues at all, and we were in lots of pickpocket zones (Eiffel Tower, Les Halles, etc) and approached by scam artists several times.

Hi Karlin,

I use the RS money pocket (available thru the Travel Store) attached to the inside of my waistband with a large safety pin, it also has belt loops if I choose to wear a belt. It tucks down inside my pants like an inner pocket - from the outside, it looks like I'm carrying something in my pants pocket - if anyone did decide to try to pickpocket me, they're out of luck.

I put my credit cards, ATM card, passport and extra cash inside it - anything that I would need in an emergency. I carry the Pouch-safe by Pac-Safe as a "wallet on a string" with daily cash, Metro tickets, even my Blackberry.

I usually travel solo, so I carry my guide books, umbrella and water bottle in a European tote bag I buy as a souvenir - this year it was a Longchamps Pliage and I used it as my carry-on for souvenirs on the return trip home.

I wore a money belt on my trip last summer. I felt safe but hated the big bulge in front. This year I bought 2 pairs of men's pants from Magellan that have 1 deep zipped security pocket big enough for a passport and a small wallet with cash & credit cards. I love not having a purse!! (and I don't leave the house without it at home) The pants also have 2 large cargo type pockets for cell phone & glasses. They are made of nylon & dry quickly when washed out by hand. I love the freedom and I would never carry a purse to Europe.

No one has ever established the "proper way" to wear a money belt. From my observation I see a lot of folks wearing the belt in front behind the belt buckle. For some it provides easy access and works more like a hidden billfold. But of course that creates the "bulge" in front that Ambrosia doesn't like. Makes your pants fit tighter and it is more uncomfortable. IMO, the belt should be worn above the waist with the pouch in the small of the back -- doesn't create a bulge, doesn't interfere with the fit of the pants, and is far more comfortable especially in hot weather. Of course, this doesn't work if you are were a skin tight shirt or blouse. Work till you find a position that is comfortable for you.

Hubby and I both used money belts. He complained that they weren't super comfortable, but agreed that they were necessary. I also had a purse which carried my wallet (with day's cash only), RS guidebook, bottle of water and a camera. I don't think I could go without my purse and am not likely to try.

We will be leaving for Italy in Sept and we bought 2 neck wallets thinking we would not like the money belt. The ones I have purchased are the smallest ones I could find since I am only 5' tall. I think it is going to work well for my husband but I don't think I'm going to like it. It is bulky under my clothing. I have got to figure out a way to ware it in a way that comfortable but not so obvious.