Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Just curious and it's probably only one for those who are living full time but what do you keep in your handbag if you use one?

I have always found it mysterious and wonderful that women can pull out, makeup, band aids, tissues, hand cleanser, umbrella, journals, pens, perfume, practically a whole medicine chest and so on. It's like all women seem to be able to do a Mary Poppins when called upon!

Also, I hear lots of advice saying that trans girls should carry sanitary towels as they might need to lend one to a girl in need. Really? Does this actually happen in the ladies room?

Just being nosey really!

My wallet with all my IDs, credit cards, and checkbook. (I don't write checks, but it has my account and routing numbers if I need them).

Spare glasses, lipstick, tissues, eyeliner, Q-tips, hand sanitizer, eye drops, comb and hairbrush, small pocket light, eyeglass repair kit, spare keys, Band-Aids, two pocket notebooks, ballpoint pens, passport (in a separate pocket from my wallet), a small bit of toilet paper, numbing cream (for electrolysis appointments), hydrocodone pain pills, and a Naloxone inhaler (Narcan - in case of opioid overdose - which is not likely), several hair ties, and two cloth face masks.

If I were to add some hard candies, I would be my grandmother!

Would the hard candies be butterscotch or coffee nips? My grandmother always had butterscotch for the grandkids and coffee nips for my grandfather

Damn I'm boring. Keys, phone, lip balm and a radar key! I add specific things for certain occasions!

Charlotte 😻

Quote from: Dawn Kellie on April 20, 2026, 12:43:04 PMWould the hard candies be butterscotch or coffee nips? My grandmother always had butterscotch for the grandkids and coffee nips for my grandfather

Since I am pushing 70, it would have to be Werther's Original butterscotch. Brach's is good too, but I prefer their caramels (which melt). For hard candy, it's Werther.

Quote from: Lori Dee on April 20, 2026, 12:14:46 PMMy wallet with all my IDs, credit cards, and checkbook. (I don't write checks, but it has my account and routing numbers if I need them).

Spare glasses, lipstick, tissues, eyeliner, Q-tips, hand sanitizer, eye drops, comb and hairbrush, small pocket light, eyeglass repair kit, spare keys, Band-Aids, two pocket notebooks, ballpoint pens, passport (in a separate pocket from my wallet), a small bit of toilet paper, numbing cream (for electrolysis appointments), hydrocodone pain pills, and a Naloxone inhaler (Narcan - in case of opioid overdose - which is not likely), several hair ties, and two cloth face masks.

If I were to add some hard candies, I would be my grandmother!

See, Mary Poppins incarnate! How do you fit all that in! Is the passport in case you need to leave the country in a hurry! Do you not have a banking app on your phone? Seems a bit risky to be carrying around a cheque book.

But no obligitory chapstick?

Quote from: Stottie Girl on April 20, 2026, 02:35:09 PMSee, Mary Poppins incarnate! How do you fit all that in! Is the passport in case you need to leave the country in a hurry! Do you not have a banking app on your phone? Seems a bit risky to be carrying around a cheque book.

But no obligitory chapstick?

The purse has ten pockets! Six zippered pockets on the outside, 1 zippered pocket inside, and three inside pockets without zippers. It also has small pockets on the ends where I keep my masks.

Yes, I got the passport as soon as they updated my birth certificate. I paid extra for expedited service, due to the election results, and got it in January of 2024.

I have a banking app on my phone, but sometimes I need to provide an account and routing number to receive direct payments (like book royalties).

Never been a fan of Chapstick as the wax is too stiff in cold weather. What I have is a softer-tinted lip balm for emergencies. I rarely use it.

Quote from: Lori Dee on April 20, 2026, 02:48:32 PMThe purse has ten pockets! Six zippered pockets on the outside, 1 zippered pocket inside, and three inside pockets without zippers. It also has small pockets on the ends where I keep my masks.

Yes, I got the passport as soon as they updated my birth certificate. I paid extra for expedited service, due to the election results, and got it in January of 2024.

I have a banking app on my phone, but sometimes I need to provide an account and routing number to receive direct payments (like book royalties).

Never been a fan of Chapstick as the wax is too stiff in cold weather. What I have is a softer-tinted lip balm for emergencies. I rarely use it.

Oh right, do you not have direct debits over there? You can either set those up or set up a transfer so that all you or the other person needs to do is type in the amount and send. It's instant too.

I love that bag! I want it! Maybe in brown leather though. Going to have a search though Amazon.

Wow thats a giant bag that one Lori! Mine is super compact, although I have a bigger one if need be!

(https://i.postimg.cc/wBsc80f5/20260420-205915.jpg)

Quote from: Stottie Girl on April 20, 2026, 02:58:51 PMI love that bag! I want it! Maybe in brown leather though. Going to have a search though Amazon.

The brand is Elda. I got it on Amazon. It is a reddish-colored faux leather. I love it, but I have had it for years, and it is starting to show some wear. Might need to BMA soon!

BMA = Buy Me Another

Thanks for the translation.

I don't need one at all yet but I fancy getting one anyway. Is this the hormones causing a handbag obsession?!!! I hope I don't start lusting after Luis Vitton or something, I'll have to re-mortgage the house!

I'll stick with the sub £30 ones from Amazon for now.

My wallet with bus pass,bank card,cash. Easyhaler inhaler,tissues,hand sanitizer. Sometimes a comb and hair tie if I  don't wear braids or French Twist.

Some of us carry defense devices.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on April 20, 2026, 04:10:18 PMSome of us carry defense devices.

You can never be to safe

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on April 20, 2026, 04:10:18 PMSome of us carry defense devices.

A cop doesn't fit real well do they?

Quote from: big kim on April 20, 2026, 03:31:47 PMMy wallet with bus pass,bank card,cash. Easyhaler inhaler,tissues,hand sanitizer. Sometimes a comb and hair tie if I  don't wear braids or French Twist.

You'll never survive the apocalypse with just that Kim! lol!

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on April 20, 2026, 04:10:18 PMSome of us carry defense devices.

Like what? Mace? Tazer?

That's some of the less than lethal options

Well let us say they have a serial number.
Trained, practiced, legal, and licensed.

Wallet, phone, keys, glasses, mask, tissue.  Then, depending on the size of the purse and the occasion: throat lozenges, band-aid, pocket knife, dental floss, hearing aid remote, pen, epi-pen.

So I'm guessing the sanitary towel thing is a myth then? Thought it didn't make sense.

Ive heard of keeping feminine hygiene products to share.
I'd also assume if you said you were out it wouldn't look bad on you.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on April 20, 2026, 04:28:58 PMWell let us say they have a serial number.
Trained, practiced, legal, and licensed.

It wouldn't be illegal. There are companies that make purses just for that decision.

Quote from: Dawn Kellie on April 20, 2026, 04:51:26 PMIt wouldn't be illegal. There are companies that make purses just for that decision.

It would be here, even tasers are classed as firearms. Pepper spray is banned too. You have to make do with a rape alarm and harsh language!

Keys are a very effective weapon.

I carry tampons in my first-aid kits in the Jeep and in my Survival Bag. They are the perfect size to plug a bullet hole if you ever need to.

For those across the pond, I have seen them used to plug a leak in a boat. They don't last long, but long enough to get to shore.

You can also stick one up each nostril with the strings hanging out.
Doesn't serve any purpose, but it is hilarious.

Quote from: Stottie Girl on April 20, 2026, 05:00:12 PMIt would be here, even tasers are classed as firearms. Pepper spray is banned too. You have to make do with a rape alarm and harsh language!

A tail comb is a good makeshift shank. So is the Ficcare Maximas hairclip I use for French Twists. Its made of silver plated brass. An aerosol of Deep Heat is as good as pepper spray.
Carried the Deep Heat and tailcomb when I  was a bus driver and worked the hotel bar next door but one to Blackpools roughest pub.
It's legal to carry these objects.

Quote from: big kim on April 21, 2026, 04:48:41 AMA tail comb is a good makeshift shank. So is the Ficcare Maximas hairclip I use for French Twists. Its made of silver plated brass. An aerosol of Deep Heat is as good as pepper spray.
Carried the Deep Heat and tailcomb when I  was a bus driver and worked the hotel bar next door but one to Blackpools roughest pub.
It's legal to carry these objects.

Remind me not to cross you Kim lol!

A girl I work with has a silver dagger that she uses as a hair pin. She says it's ornamental but I have my doubts!

Quote from: Lori Dee on April 20, 2026, 05:18:47 PMYou can also stick one up each nostril with the strings hanging out.
Doesn't serve any purpose, but it is hilarious.

Well it's worth carrying just for that reason alone!

Don't think there is much call for plugging bullet wounds in the UK thank god!

I have a smaller cross body bag so I can't have much in it. Keys, card wallet, phone, pen, magnifying glass, change for shopping carts and a knife with a glass break and seat belt cutter. The knife is a bit of a risk as in Ontario you can't carry defensive items but the glass break and the seat belt cutter are safety devices so I am in a grey area. Besides the glass breaker can be used for defense without escalating to lethal force. 

I usually carry

Wallet but at very least needed IDs, a credit card, $10
Tissues
Lipstick
A few Tylenol, Advil, Tums, breath mints, and one day of meds.
Bandaid
Personal protection item
Pen and pencil
Mini writing pad or sticky notes pad
Keys, fob
Telephone
Comb, small brush
Hand sanitizer
Extra charging cord and adapter if really need be and not left in vehicle.

It depends.  I like to travel light and don't carry a purse most days.  When I do carry a purse, it'll be one of four that I have, depending on the situation.

For days when minimalist will do, I wear a festival belt.  It's basically a stylish leather fanny pack with enough room for phone, small wallet, keys, lipstick, and a few tissues.  It's great for any place where I want my hands free or there's a high risk of loss or theft.

Next up is a small leather crossbody bag I got from Next UK.  It's big enough for phone, larger wallet, keys, small makeup kit, a couple of panty liners, tissues, and assorted bits.

A few months ago, I bought a larger theft-resistant crossbody bag expressly for travel.  It sports slash-resistant fabric, cut-resistant straps, lockable zippers, and RFID protection.  The bag is large enough for phone, keys, larger wallet, larger makeup kit, panty liners, tissues, mints, hand sanitizer, wipes, water bottle, and my small mirrorless camera with 1-2 lenses.

My largest bag is also my nicest.  It's an Italian leather crossbody tote.  I mostly use it when I'm wearing heels because it's big enough to carry a spare pair of flats.  There's plenty of room for my phone, keys, large wallet, large makeup kit, panty liners, tissues, band-aids/moleskin, mints, hand sanitizer, wipes, water bottle, folding umbrella, and my small mirrorless camera with 1-2 lenses.  The bag is so big that weight can be an issue when it's full.

Lori Dee,
  Think I bought a very similar bag, but in black from Amazon few days ago.  One I bought only has 8 zippers (at least that I have found).  They get heavy real fast.

    Coral

Quote from: coral on April 24, 2026, 01:02:01 PMLori Dee,
  Think I bought a very similar bag, but in black from Amazon few days ago.  One I bought only has 8 zippers (at least that I have found).  They get heavy real fast.

    Coral

So true! I had to stop carrying pocket change and other things because it was getting heavy.
Mine has three zippers on the "front", two on the top, and one on the "back. There is also one inside. Plus unzippered pockets inside and one on each end.

Maybe if I had fewer pockets, I would be less inclined to put stuff in them and would reduce the weight.

😁

Quote from: Liz K on April 21, 2026, 08:59:32 PMIt depends.  I like to travel light and don't carry a purse most days.  When I do carry a purse, it'll be one of four that I have, depending on the situation.

For days when minimalist will do, I wear a festival belt.  It's basically a stylish leather fanny pack with enough room for phone, small wallet, keys, lipstick, and a few tissues.  It's great for any place where I want my hands free or there's a high risk of loss or theft.

Next up is a small leather crossbody bag I got from Next UK.  It's big enough for phone, larger wallet, keys, small makeup kit, a couple of panty liners, tissues, and assorted bits.

A few months ago, I bought a larger theft-resistant crossbody bag expressly for travel.  It sports slash-resistant fabric, cut-resistant straps, lockable zippers, and RFID protection.  The bag is large enough for phone, keys, larger wallet, larger makeup kit, panty liners, tissues, mints, hand sanitizer, wipes, water bottle, and my small mirrorless camera with 1-2 lenses.

My largest bag is also my nicest.  It's an Italian leather crossbody tote.  I mostly use it when I'm wearing heels because it's big enough to carry a spare pair of flats.  There's plenty of room for my phone, keys, large wallet, large makeup kit, panty liners, tissues, band-aids/moleskin, mints, hand sanitizer, wipes, water bottle, folding umbrella, and my small mirrorless camera with 1-2 lenses.  The bag is so big that weight can be an issue when it's full.

Do you just carry your camera in a normal bag? No foam protection or anything?

I generally carry my camera and lenses without protective padding.  There's enough padding in my larger bags that I'm not too concerned about it.