New study reveals women carry around everything from sex toys to screwdriver kits with them everyday

Baby teeth, spare knickers and a piano tuning fork are just some of the bizarre items women carry around in their handbags, new research has revealed.

Among the top ten practical items found in a woman’s handbag such as keys, tissues, make up and a snack were some more unusual “everyday essentials” such as tarot cards, porn dvds, dog biscuits and their husband’s medication, according to the study of 2000 UK women by Special K Mini Breaks.

A number of more obscure and sentimental objects were also uncovered in the research. A son’s baby tooth, a daughter’s first pair of shoes, a lock of a grandchild’s hair and their father’s watch were among some of the comforting things women wanted to have with them at all times.

Many women also carry mementos such as champagne corks or confetti from their wedding day or a pebble from a beach when on holiday.

More worryingly a number of women admitted they carry their entire identity around with them at all times including marriage and birth certificates and passports.

The research by Special K Mini Breaks also delved into the inner psychology behind a woman’s handbag.

It seems many women are emotionally tied to their bags and a well-stocked and oversized bag offers them security.

The survey found that 19% of women said they use their handbag as an object to hide behind when they’re not feeling confident or are having a “fat day”.

When describing their relationship with their handbag 16% of women said their handbag was like a “security blanket” and 21% said receiving a compliment about their handbag was the ultimate flattery.

Handbags are used as status symbols too with nearly a third of women saying they always notice another woman’s handbag and 22% considering a woman with an expensive handbag as having good taste.

Victoria Beckham was named as the celebrity with the most sought-after handbag collection, followed by Alexa Chung and Cheryl Cole.

Sophie Colling from Special K Mini Breaks said: “It’s amazing to see what women carry around with them. What a woman keeps in her handbag is a reflection of their life and women who are on the go need to be organised.

“Carrying essential items such as snacks in your handbag demonstrate how women are in control of their lives. This is a woman who knows what she wants – she’s got a busy life but is still thinking about how she looks. With 99 calories, carrying a snack such as a bag of Special K Mini Breaks is the ultimate way to make sure she doesn’t undo any good intentions.”

Celebrity psychologist, Jo Hemmings said: “Our handbags contain the essence of our psyche – our phones, make up, house keys, photos, diaries, ipods – all very personal and intimate stuff. Our bags speak volumes about us and it’s very commonplace to use them as a barrier and a protection between the outside world and us. I often see celebrities doing this when they’re in a difficult place in their personal lives.”

Handbag guru, Kathryn Eisman said: “A woman’s handbag is an extension of who she is and helps her facilitate the numerous roles she plays in the 21st century – be it files for her career, shopping lists for her domestic responsibilities, make-up to be aesthetically pleasing, etc. If women are indeed urban warriors, then their handbag is their armoury and ammunition.

“A woman’s handbag is her grown up ‘security blanket’ – carrying the necessary items to navigate a busy world. Safety pins, pain killers, snacks…a woman can always be prepared, as long as she has her handbag.”

The top 10 most common items found in handbags

1. Keys

2. Pens

3. Tissues

4. Paracetamol / medication

5. Receipts

6. Make up

7. Tampons / plasters / other first aid items

8. Sunglasses

9. Snack / chewing gum

10. Compact mirror

Ten of the weirdest things people carry in their handbags

1. Screwdriver kit

2. Porn dvd

3. Son’s baby tooth

4. Daughter’s first pair of shoes

5. Intimate toys

6. Tarot cards

7. Vampire voodoo doll

8. Confetti from their wedding day

9. Spare knickers

10. Piano tuning fork

For more information visit www.specialkfoods.co.uk

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