Small travel purse

I used this for a 15 day trip to the Netherlands and Spain: http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/piazza-day-bag/94553?productid=1318672

I have this one and used it on a trip this summer to Bulgaria. Smaller than the one that Nicole used but very lightweight. http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/terrace-mini-bag/94557?productid=10231795&rlid=DETAIL

If weight on your shoulder bothers you, you might also consider this solution: buy a "shoulder seat-belt pad," which are sold mainly at automotive supply stores or some of the fancier car-wash places that sell "car accessories." (Cost about eight dollars) The pads are flat well-cushioned pieces that wrap around a purse's shoulder strap and fasten with velcro. I use mine with a mini- baggallini cross-body bag and find it very comfortable while walking all day around some city or museum.

I used this Latico on our trip this past spring: http://www.ebags.com/product/latico-leathers/mina/154025?productid=10112247. I wore it cross body and it was perfect for me because it didn't look like a tourist bag and I could get my little Panasonic camera in it, but it might be too small for you. I also took this Hobo Tote as my 2nd carryon and used it when I wanted to carry more stuff: http://www.ebags.com/product/baggallini/hobo-tote/219225?productid=10146849. I have used this Expandable Tote on more than one trip as my 2nd carryon and for around town: http://www.ebags.com/product/baggallini/expandable-tote/252530. And I have this Paris Bag: http://www.ebags.com/product/baggallini/paris-bagg/208064?productid=10131493. As you can see, I've tried a variety of bags. The one I like the least is the Paris Bag. Too many zippers and pockets. I never could remember where anything was. The cross body bags are not comfortable for me if they are large enough for me to load up too heavy. The tote that went just on my shoulder was the same because the straps are not padded in any way. If you are going to order online, be sure to read the reviews and look at the picture with the person wearing the bag to get an idea of how big it is on you. Cross body purses are supposed to be the safest to use and the most comfortable, but just don't go too big.

Thank you all so much! These sound like great suggestions!!

This is the cross body shoulder bag I have. I like it because it has the clasp, plus a zippered pocket within the zippered pouch for large bills and passport. It's big enough to hold a camera, small notebook, and guidebook. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000YWJRI/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My sister uses a bag like this: http://www.mumstuff.co.uk/acatalog/Healthy-Back-Changing-Bag.html She had spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis 4 months ago and this kind of bag doesn't put too much pressure on her upper body. It's very roomy but she can't fill it up with all her usual purse stuff (including an umbrella and who knows what else) because it would be too heavy for her.

Last summer I used this crossbody bag and loved it. It was the perfect size to hold a small wallet (with only some smaller bills/coins), a notepad, etc. It has a toggle on the zipper which makes it much harder to access. I found this handy while traveling through the airport when I had to have my passport and other essentials close at hand. http://shop.eaglecreek.com/claudia-crossbody/d/1159_c_411 I found mine at Nordstrom Rack for a discount. I hope this helps!

I like my Kipling bags. I have a small one, a medium one and a tote (actually two totes but one was purchased in Venice). I guess the links are not working - small: http://www.kipling-usa.com/product/index.jsp?productId=20830706&cp=2999461.2999742.2999762&parentPage=family&cid=1056259 medium: http://www.kipling-usa.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12686065&cp=2999461.2999742.2999764&parentPage=family&cid=1056260 tote: http://www.kipling-usa.com/product/index.jsp?productId=15322806&cp=2999461.2999742.2999765&parentPage=family&cid=1219651 Purchased at Macys.

I use the one below, similar to most of the others posted, small but fits a bunch. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CEBN7M/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Ameribag also has other styles and sizes.

Someone here recently (really sorry I can't give credit here!)said she wears a very small cross body purse on her plane flight into which she puts her passport, money and debit card. If she did not say this, then I inferred that it was small enough to wear under a jacket or cardigan and small enough not to be in the way when she was sitting in the airplane seat or going to the lavatory. I am traveling solo in Sept and have been on the lookout for something to use in this manner. I hit pay dirt earlier this week at TJ Maxx and purchased 2 bags to see which one would work with the passport. The smaller one ($12.99) looks like it will work fine so I will keep it and use it instead of my moneybelt while in the airport and needing to show my passport, on the airplane and thru immigration at my destination. I hate having to fumble things out of my money belt but don't feel it's 100% safe in my regular purse. I am sure there are some that will think me paranoid but there you have it. It's my first solo international travel experience and I want to do what I can to keep myself and my stuff safe. TJMaxx also often has Bagallini and LeSportSac products and greatly reduced prices. As always with them, it helps if you can cruise by frequently to see what is in stock. It's hard to really go in looking for something specific although this time it worked out great. They have a 30 day return so you can take it home and try it out. BTW, my closest one is 40 miles away...lol!!

Sharon, This might be smaller than you want, but I have a little bag from here: www.hipzbag.com. I use it to hold my camera (Canon Elph), phone, sunscreen, lip gloss, hand sanitizer, comb, small meds container, Kleenex and a little bag of trail mix when we hike. So it's tiny, but it holds quite a bit. It can clip onto belt loops or be worn as a hip bag. I even wear it crossbody with the strap adjusted all the way out. They're now making a "curvy" version that has a longer strap and I will probably buy that the next time for more flexibility. Quite different from the other bags suggested, though plenty of them are pretty cool too.

Wow! Some great suggestions - I will check all of them out. Thanks much.

@Leslie-LOVE the little hip bags. I had never seen them before. I think the leopard print is calling my name.

Check out Baggalini. I've three of their bags for different occasions and travel. I can't find my favorite, which I use all the time in NYC. I where it cross body on busses, for walking commutes etc. While it won't quite hold an iPad there's another Baggalini bag that will. Here's a link to the closest thing to the small bag.

I use a Maruca bag. They are handmade in Boulder, Co. They are made of fabric and have lots of cute prints. I use the cross shoulder bag... it's small but big enough for travel. I also have the little bag that fits my CC, money and my passport fits in it. It could be used as a neck wallet, but I just tie the strap from the wallet to the strap of my little bag (so I don't set it down somewhere and forget it). Since they are fabric they aren't very heavy. It is the only kind of purse I ever carry, so I am very used to having it cross body. Sometimes when I am a bit tired I just change the side I have it on and that helps.

Sharon, I know you are looking for purse suggestions and for that I Love my small Coach purse. It is about 6x9, with a zippered pocket and a side pocket, can go on your shoulder or cross body (which I prefer). I use this at home and it fits; wallet, glasses, i phone, lipgloss. Another option is clothing with pockets. I love the ScottEVest dresses and the trench coat.
The dresses have 3 hidden pockets which I used going out for dinner while travelling. The 3 pockets held : lipgloss, credit card, room key, cash.

Thanks, Sylvia. I too like clothing with hidden pockets. I had a rain jacket once that was just fantastic for that. So much so that I bought (I believe it was from Magellan) a lightweight vest for traveling. When I put my sunglasses and several other things inside I looked like a character from Willie Wonka - it just didn't work, but other styles have. Thanks.

I love these bags http://www.moseylife.com/collection/the_pocket.cfm this one is tiny, tiny, probably smaller than you need, but I've used it for keeping essentials close when carrying a lot of stuff in a bigger tote bag.
http://www.moseylife.com/collection/the_abowt_bag.cfm# this one is a little bigger, and then the same company makes a bunch more in varying sizes and styles

Leslie! I just ordered that hip bag. I have frequently wished fanny packs weren't so un-cool, because they are super convenient. This does the trick! Thanks!

@Leslie, I love the little hip bag, too! Maybe you should start a whole thread about it.

Miranda, that Mosey bag is really cute. It took me a while to see that the flap is actually the pocket for your iPod/phone. The sunglasses loop is a great idea. Pam

Glad lots of people like the hipz bag. I should mention that mine is the size they used to call "passport" sized. It's 5 1/2 by 5 1/2, not the littler 4 1/2 by 4 1/2. The leopard may be calling my name too. :-)

This thread has been such fun! Discovering the Marusca bags that Terry Kathryn recommended and the Hipzbags. I'm one who does as someone mentioned and wears a small bag on the plane so if I'm asleep, going to the bathroom, etc, I have my most essentials with me and right at hand. For me this is earplugs, lip balm, my passport and ticket, eye drops, Kleenex, a tiny hand cream. Things I don't want to have to go digging around for beneath my seat when I'm belted in. I buy a lot of Hedgren bags in various sizes and one of my shameful travel secrets is how many bags I travel with. Nothing drives me more nuts than not having the right-sized bag for the outing/need. These are all nylon and get squished in various places in my luggage.

One of the things I've liked learning about on this post has been the nylon or fabric bags. I've always carried leather bags, and they are so heavy when not much is in them. These are such great options to look at and very cute.

Thank you Kim for outing yourself! I send you many thanks for your prior post! LeSportSac bags are fabric as well. The fabric makes a huge difference in bag weight as well as whatever decorative fittings they have.

Please take a look at the " Pacsafe" website - they have many, many styles and sizes of purses, packs, bags, etc., from very small to large. I've used the Pacsafe purses on all my travels for years now, and love them. Recommend them highly. They are nylon packcloth, with a very lightweight but strong stainless steel mesh in the body and a stainless cable in the adjustable strap, so they can't be slashed, grabbed, etc. Also a snap lock to clip on the zipper to keep it closed. Very secure and still not heavy. I use it in a cross-body carry and it's comfortable to carry. I never have to worry, everything in it is secure as long as it's zipped, clipped and around my shoulder/body. Peace of mind...