Another travel purse question

I'm right handed and I always wear a cross body back on the left, so my right hand is free. YMMV

I guess that makes sense. It just feels awkward on that side. My regular purse is alwAys hanging from my right shoulder and I often hold onto the strap when walking, opening it from my right side.

I wear mine the same as l.p., purse on the left to leave my right hand free. The zippers are next to my body or, depending on the purse, facing forward.
I bought a very small Travelon purse because the larger ones cramped my neck. If I need more room, I have a lightweight packable backpack which I added snaps to for security. It will depend on the day’s agenda. Plan is day money, phone, sun glasses and anything that can’t be lost will be in crossbody purse since it’s more secure.

Edit to add: Lulu, if it’s more comfortable to wear your purse on the right do so. There is no right or wrong side.
I wear my neck wallet on the right side crossbody tucked into the right waistband of my leggings. That way straps are on opposite sides of my neck.

I want to second what horsewoofie said about the neck. I completely filled a large crossbody purse to save space in my carryon last June and my neck is only now beginning to get better.

I also have a small traveling purse. I wear it on my right shoulder which means it is on my left. That feels right to me because I always carry purses on my right should. But do what is comfortable for you.

Like others I carry very little in the purse and wear a small back pack as well (except for evenings).

It’s a personal comfort choice. Whatever works for you is the answer!

Mine is under my right arm, the strap shortened so the bag is cinched up and covered by my right elbow. Awkward, more secure.
Pockets face the body, not the crowd. I'm righty and it it easy to swing the bag around in front of me. ThenI can see how I am pawing around inside, also more secure.

I’m right handed and wear my cross body purse on the left. When I have my camera, as I do when traveling, its bag goes the opposite way on the right.

My regular purse is a large crossbody and I wear it on my left, so traveling with a cross body bag is very normal and comfortable for me. I think when traveling is not the time to be trying new systems, especially when it comes to your physical safety and money situation and being awkward. I can literally reach into my purse blind and pull out what I need. My travel bag is smaller but still one large pocket and an inside zippered pocket, and an outside zippered pocket. I have many many smallish leather bags that I travel with, mostly from the thrift store. My new favorite is a Fossil camel colored leather purse with a flap zipper top, cost me $3.00 and is in perfect condition. Also my purses is pulled to my front, hand on the purse when on public transport or when my spidey sense picks up the vibe.

I agree that you have to wear your cross body purse so it's comfortable for you. I'm right handed, so used to always wear my shoulder bags on my left shoulder. But now that I have to use a cane with my left hand, I have to wear my bags so they rest in my right side. When travelling, the flap or zippered side is next to my body and I usually rest my hand on the top of it. If I adjust the strap so that it hangs at my hip, it's easy to swing it to the front to access it, or when in crowds.

I’m right handed and I wear mine on the left. It’s easier to get into it to grab my phone or camera with my right hand. My bag has 2 exterior pockets closed with zippers and I like the zippers facing in towards me for security, so I turn it that way.
What matters is that you are comfortable, I think most purses can be worn either way depending on preference. I don’t always wear mine the way I mentioned - sometimes the other way just works better so I appreciate the flexibility of most purses. Ones that are so specific that they only can be used one way aren’t ones I’d like.

For me, In short - left side, zippers inward mostly but it can vary.

I don't carry a purse at all. I use what is called a "Wrist Wallet" that I got from Amazon ($19). I tested one out 10 yrs ago to run errands, get gas etc. and have stayed with it ever since. I use it at home and abroad. When travelling I include a money belt to hold my passport and large denominations of cash.

I love my Travelon cross body bags. I have 3. (Well, one is a Target knockoff but I love it too.)
I had a pickpocket attempt last October in Paris and the little clip slowed him down enough that I saw him before he got the zipper open. But the bag was on my right and the zipper pull was on the right and just out of sight as I climbed the Metro stairs.
None of my bags has a flap and are more or less the same front to back so I have started to wear them "backward," so the zipper is on the left, directly in front of me, but the bag is still on the right.
Perhaps you could find one that doesn't have a flap. (It might be lighter weight also.)

SharYn, that is what I’m going to do. Find one without the flap. Last time, I did turn my crossbody around so the zipper was in the front. I just find it odd that they make them this way.

It must be so the right hand is free.

Right-handed and wear all purses over the left shoulder across onto my right hip. I just turn my zippers or flaps toward the body anytime getting on public transportation or into a crowd, maybe shorten the straps to hike'em up.

I am right handed and am comfortable wearing over my left shoulder so the purse is on my right. I think whatever feels comfortable should work. I wear a small, lightweight Baggallini bag. It has a couple zippers. I will turn it around so the zippers are "hidden." That said, I don't carry money or other valuables. Money is secured in my neck wallet or money belt.

I wear the crossbody Baggalini smaller purses, and I always have it on my left shoulder with the purse near my right hand. That’s handiest for me to grab my phone to take photos. When I enter a subway, walk in a crowd etc. I grip the top of the purse zippers with either my right or left hand (shifted slightly left).

I’m right-handed and wear my crossbody on my right. I have also noticed some purses have the zippers placed poorly if you want to wear it on your right side, so I don’t buy those. Find one that is correctly placed for your situation. They are out there. I have a few Baggalinis that work for me.

I have a pacsafe that converts to a backpack. (Love this bag!!) When using as a crossbody the bag always hangs on the opposite side it would if it was just on my shoulder. I never gave it much thought till this thread just now. It seems odd now that I think about it, but that's how I do it.

I am an always cross-body-er, and I always wear my bag with the strap going behind my right shoulder, bag in front of me to my left (I am left-handed). I have just always felt comfortable with most of the weight on my left side, and that definitely goes for carrying bags.

It’s true now that I think of it that I have a few Hedgren nylon bags that the way they are designed are clearly meant to be worn the way/side I wear them on. So I wonder what a person who preferred their bag on the right would do with these bags! A bit strange now that I think of it.

(I think most bags though are made to be worn either side, so it is just what is most comfortable for you.)

I have both a Lug and a Travelon which I use for traveling. In either case, I wear the bag the length that is comfortable for me to access as well as to guard. I always wear the front flap zipper inward to my body. The outer pocket typically has kleenex or something boring. I do agree that you can't overload whatever you are wearing. My purse can also fit into my packable backpack for carryon purposes.

I'm right handed, and wear my small cross-body bag hanging from my left shoulder to my right hip, with the zippers facing out. I find that I almost always have my right hand resting on top of the bag, because it feels awkward to me otherwise as the bag tends to bounce against my body more than I would like when I'm walking, or otherwise gets in the way. Given that habit, I feel like a pickpocket might be more likely to select another target who is less cautious with their bag.

Kim, the Travelons would be more comfy for you lefties, I agree. The zipper faces towards the front and you can rest your left hand on your left side over it.

So, what colors are your purses. At first I thought I needed a neutral 5 years ago. Seriously ugliest color ever of beige. Maybe it was mushroom? I don’t know. Even DH said it was ugliest purse he’d ever seen. Haha. I had to remind him it was a TRAVEL purse.

Anyway, I don’t wear black much, so don’t want a black one. I love those cranberry ones, yet would clash with several outfits. I’m thinking navy blue, as that blends with a lot. Anyway, just wondering what you all get.

Colors? I had these colors of Baggallini crossbody purses during trips to Europe: black, purple, royal blue. The blue color is a very pretty shade; I’ll probably take that one again on my trip to Europe this summer.

Jean, why do you like Baggalini instead of Travelon? Do they have zipper locks? They seem a bit more attractive.

Lulu,
I think a handbag can be a great way to add a pop of color to your outfits. For me when we travel weight is a consideration. I tend to use one of my small lightweight Baggallini Crossbody bags. I have had at least 6 Baggallini bags over the years, including a backpack and a personal carry-on. (My DH calls me a "bag lady!") I have found that Baggallini are lighter in weight, durable, stylish and machine washable. I watch for sales. I am not concerned about zippers because I don't carry money or passport in my bag. I like a basic black bag, but I do have a small lightweight Silver leather crossbody to use in the evening.

I bet the blue color that you mentioned would be a nice neutral for your outfits!

I had to look up the lockable zipper thing to see what that is. It doesn't look that much safer to me than using a split key ring or carabiner for the same purpose.

The Baggallini bags I have do not have anything like that. They do have other ways of securing things inside.

I really don't worry much about that, though. The only things I carry in my handbag besides tissues, cough drops and some cash, are my phone and emergency information. My phone is the most valuable of those, not because it's an expensive phone but because of the information on it. Everything else is in my money belt. I do not carry any kind of wallet.

I must admit that I'm a Baggallini fan, maybe even an addict. I just counted and I have 17: 5 large totes and 12 handbags of various sizes.

I do love the colors. Those of the small and lightweight handbags I take to Europe include black, red, gray, Pacific blue (probably the great blue others have mentioned) and Juniper green. I'll either take a black one or the Juniper one to Ireland in May.

They are all cross-body. I'm right handed, but I put the strap on the right and the bag on the left. I usually put the zipper pockets facing my body. If the bag is too low, like down to my hip, it flops back and forth. I have to wear it much higher. I guess that must have something to do with the way I walk.

Hmmmm...I might take a look at baggalini then. The only thing of value in my purse is my phone and favorite lipstick. ;). The Travelon has the swirl mesh, but I hold my purse very securely at all the Times, in front of me. Even eating it’s wrapped around my waist on my lap. That feature may not be necessary.

I think if i find a stylish one I could add the lock...I do like a lock feature.

This is the one that I like that used to come in many more colors. It does come in navy, though.

https://www.baggallini.com/hanover-crossbody/HAN867-BG-B0001-NS.html

There’s a zipper on the back of the Hanover Baggalini purse where I store my phone when I’m traveling; it’s next to my body as I’m walking. I just use the accompanying small zip “coin purse” for my “half-day’s Euros” and coins. Everything else is secure in my money belt, so I don’t bother and wouldn’t want the hassle of locking anything in my purse. When I’m in a crowd, I just grasp the top third of the purse with my hand.

I don’t carry water or large items in the main section of the purse - just a lipstick, some spare TP, a pen, emergency info, and a few papers with activities or a tiny section of the RS guidebook. Metro tickets or similar go in the front pocket.

I’ve never tried a Travelon purse since I like the Baggalini brand so well. They’ve held up beautifully through lots of travel for work, too, and wash easily in the washing machine.

Does anyone take a very small purse to just go out to restaurants and walk around in the evening. (That’s not an anti-theft purse). Only thing in it would be lipstick, hairspray, maybe my phone? Could still wear it crossbody.

Yes, I'll sometimes take a very small purse, for evenings as you mention, and also for museums that don't allow large bags. It takes up minimal space, usually packed with clothes outbound and small souvenirs on the return.

I use a small cross body purse on the plane. I usually travel by myself so want valuables (phone, money, passport) with me when leaving my seat to use the lavatory, and on my body when sleeping on the plane. (Yes, I use a money belt when out and about.) It is either on my body under my coat or in my personal item when boarding. I use the same small item instead of day bag when venturing out of hotel for short excursions.

Thanks. I think I’ll look for a more fashionable small purse for the evenings. I think I’ll make my own zipper lock, too.

I've been carrying a Waverly from Lo & Sons for when I don't need much. It's designed to be functional for travel, but doesn't look as much like a travel purse. I do like the multi functionality of it - you can carry it as a wristlet, crossbody, or belt bag. I got it before it came in two sizes, and now I do kind of wish I had the larger one so my sunglasses could be a better fit, but I got the older version on super-sale so there's that.

If I want to carry loads of stuff I usually carry either a backpack or a tote like the Longchamp pliage in large. Once in awhile I've done a combo of a small stuffable backpack made out of reusable shopping bag material for odds and ends and the Waverly or similar with my money and phone.

That said, I don't really have any purses or clothing that are specifically for travel - I mostly just use my normal things, but in another country, because it's comfortable. I think you should carry what makes you comfortable, however it makes you comfortable, so long as you have that balance between awareness of surroundings and not being paranoid.

That purse looks like the size of one I already have, which I use for travel at home. Maybe I’ll take it, but I might try to look for something even thinner. (Trying to go light!) got it at a great sale price last fall. I love it, I’d love to take it.

https://www.michaelkors.com/ginny-leather-crossbody-bag/_/R-US_32F7GGNM8L

So, I think I found my purse. I decided not to buy a new Travelon, but get something I like better. I found it at DSW, 9L x 7h x 3.5w. It is so unbelievably light and the little bit of chain gives it some pizazz. I got it in the silver metallic, but it really leans more light taupe metallic, great neutral.

There are holes at the end of the zippers, so I plan on using a lobster clasp with key ring to attach and make it anti-theft. The material is pretty thick, so I think it would Be hard to slash. But I carry it in front of me all the time, with my hand over the zipper.

https://www.dsw.com/en/us/product/kelly-and-katie-artemisio-v1-crossbody-bag/465351?activeColor=001