Full on 'purse' mode

[Tracy Hazel Lee]

Something I like to do from time to time (while dressed) during the warmer months of the year, is to hop in my car and go make a deposit at my local bank. I usually go after the bank is closed and just use the ATM. I have only done this a small number of times over the past few years, maybe as many as 10 or so times. So while it's not something I would say is exciting, I do enjoy making that small trip to the bank and back, even if it only takes me about 15 minutes round trip.

But something funny occurred to me the other night when I was getting ready to jump in the car. It's a part of every outing that I have ever made outside my house, but for some reason, this time it was a very obvious 'moment'. It was when I grabbed my purse and swung it over my shoulder. For some reason, I thought to myself 'entering purse mode'.

This is because I, for the first time, realized that the only time I ever wear a purse, is when I'm going to leave the house. I almost never wear a purse if I'm just lounging around the house. So now, 'purse mode' is a code I have given to the times when I know I'll be venturing out.

[mechamoose]

I *love* my purse. My purse is my friend. It carries far more than my 'man-pockets' ever could. Wallet, keys, phone, nail kit, meds, store tags, hair bands, make-up kit.. etc.

(Dammit Tracy HL, you have pretty hair!)

I picked up mine at an AC Moore in a couple of pretty color combinations in geometric patterns. I went to Jury Duty with a screaming magenta bag.. and nobody said a word.

- MM

[Melanie 0339]

Haha I love it I haven't got a purse yet as I've never left the house, another thing to add to the shopping list. I agree with mm your hair is beautiful xxx

[Nikki A.]

Can't be dressed without a purse, need all that storage capacity. Even in drab mode I have a bag that clips onto my waistband, not very deep, but perfect for a cellphone, cigs, lighter and a couple of business cards, very convenient.

[Gabby6790]

It's funny, I was out adventuring dressed a little while ago. I am steadily putting together items to build my transformation kit and unfortunately I haven't included a purse yet. So, I was strutting around and felt I would be clocked so easily because I didn't have one. The funny thing is that I have a hobby where I often get access to numerous purses for free and I have never set aside one. Now I am just itching to get one so I can go in purse mode.

[Robin414]

OMG, I love my purse, it's so damn convenient! My problem is my presentation, I'm typically middle of the road and a purse 'crosses the line' in my mind and that requires a little more effort I'm not always up for 😧. I'd absolutely love to wear one 24/7 (yah, maybe not to bed but in the shower, why not, I could keep soap, shampoo, toothbrush, ...) 😊

[OCCarly]

In drab mode I carry a man purse these days. It is a small Coach messenger bag, made to carry an Ipad and accessories. For me it carries two pair of glasses, my smartphone, my Ipod, wallet, keys and a bottle of water.

I am currently shopping for another Coach purse for girl mode.

[bridget thronton]

I agree - I carry a purse all the time

[marshalynn]

tracy, you know the atm machine takes a picture of you every time you go to it, now all the bank people see your purse, I hope it is a pretty one. Marshalynn

[pamela7]

it's a key part of the fun - no pockets means a purse ("handbag" to us brits) is necessary (we call a "female wallet" a "purse" - both are necessary when going out dressed!)

[Charona]

Now you know why the Scots use a sporran. There are no pockets on a kilt. According to Wikipedia, "Sporran" is Scottish Gaelic for "purse."

[Ceera]

I've started carrying a purse almost all the time now. In male mode I have one that I bought at the Container Store that is more of a "traveler's shoulder bag", made of black cloth and just big enough for my iPad Mini to fit inside. Doesn't come off as too girly, but it is definitely a purse. The other is a bit larger, in black leather, and has a floral print interior. Haven't noticed anyone giving me odd looks for either one. Not even when I pull out a gold coin purse to pay with exact change.

in girl mode, I have a bunch of different purses, from tiny hand held clutch bags to big "mom bag" shoulder purses.

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Tracy, A lady without a purse is like a day without sunshine.:hugs:

[steftoday]

I got my first purse when I was prepping for Keystone. It felt funny carrying it the first time. But just that first time. :)

[mechamoose]

Now you know why the Scots use a sporran. There are no pockets on a kilt. According to Wikipedia, "Sporran" is Scottish Gaelic for "purse."

I own sporrans (yes more than one) but they don't look right without a kilt. They look downright silly with shorts.

- MM

[Candice June Lee]

I carry a purse all the time now. Yes there is lots of space and it keeps my pockets empty. I have yet to go into a store yet with it in guy mode. Now where in this thing are my car keys?

[Krisi]

It wouldn't make much sense to carry a purse around the house except for photographs. My wife sets hers down on a chair when she gets home and it stays there until she leaves again.

A woman wouldn't leave home without her purse because most women's clothes have either no pockets or very small pockets suitable for a drivers license or credit cards. For us to go out, we should be carrying a purse. It seems you have reached that point where carrying a purse outside in "girl mode" is natural and that's a good step.

BTW: You know that the ATM machine has video monitoring, right? Maybe you could ask the bank for copies.

[Tracy Hazel Lee]

LOL. All the comments about that wig... And that's the cheapest wig I own. Picked it up at Party City a couple of years ago for $25!! Sure, it looks good in pictures, but I would not wear it outside because it doesn't stay firmly on my head (cheap wig = no proper wig cap built into it)... But I agree, I love the way it looks. I'm looking to find a higher quality wig that has the same color and length.

And yes, I am fully aware the all ATMs have cameras. Just for me to get into the bank and over to the ATM, I must also walk past two very obvious cameras. This does not bother me... Besides, the quality of the footage they are getting is probably pretty low. Not to mention, I doubt that they have anyone inspecting every second of footage. Unless something out of the ordinary happened during off-hours, most of what is recorded is probably not even viewed. And if it is, and somebody sees me? Oh well... I walked in, made a deposit, and left. No drama whatsoever. Why would anyone care how I am dressed? I'm actually starting to think (now that I'm writing about this) that I like the fact that I am being recorded and that somebody might view the footage...

[Rachael Leigh]

Tracy that's kinda cool, purse mode, and your right I never have a need unless I'm out in girl mode so now it's purse mode.
Love it

[mechamoose]

I carry a purse daily. I don't need a 'mode' to give me permission.

Neither do you.

- MM

[Allisa]

Carrying my purse for a year now in all modes in all stores, banks and even to town hall a couple of times through the metal detector under the watchful eyes of police officers. I think my bangles and rings draw more attention.

[Tracy Hazel Lee]

@MM - Nobody is implying that you need permission to have a purse. My initial post was simply pointing out that, if I am reaching for my purse, it's because I'm going out. And because that doesn't happen frequently for me, there's a tiny moment of anticipation (stomach butterflies) that hits me. I just gave it a name. That is all.

[Megan b]

Hey Tracy, I love going out, so sign me up for purse mode. It used to feel strange caring a purse but not anymore. I'm starting to look for larger purses and better quality.

[steftoday]

I love the term "purse mode". I'm going to start using it!

[bimini1]

The purse to me is like that final accessory. I use a small cross body bag but it's got a lot of room and compartments inside. Once it goes over my shoulder I know I'm "in it now" so to speak, no turning back.

[Krisi]

"Purse mode" is fine if that works for you. I suppose for me it's "girl mode" although at my age, "grandma mode" might be more appropriate. I don't go out much but if I do, it's never without a purse. Well, one time I went walking and left my purse locked in the car. I just carried the keys in the tiny pocket in the leggings I wore.

[ChristinaK]

I like the "purse mode" thing. Some things put me in the feminine mode and a purse is one. I can't see my clothing very well (except boobs) and I can't see my face. So, wielding a purse is something physical that I have to manipulate just like any woman and so it helps me feel like Christina. Digging for keys, pulling out my femme wallet, etc.

It would be useful in male mode as well, but my wife would see it as another indication of transitioning, which is a big fear of hers.

[Tracy Hazel Lee]

Well that's just it... 90% of the time (when I am dressed) I'm already in 'girl mode'.

Activate, PURSE MODE!!

*NEW ITEM EQUIPPED!*

And the sound effect of Zelda ALTTP 'Chest fanfare' goes off in my mind. :facepalm:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcVznfMH9O4

[Dawn cd]

I usually carry a bag in male mode. While it's obviously a woman's purse, I don't use the p-word. It's a "shoulder bag." Likewise with neck jewelry. Noticing my neckwear, a friend of my wife's recently exclaimed, "I didn't know you wore a necklace." I replied: "Men don't wear necklaces. Some men wear chains. Some men wear beads. These are beads."

[StefaniLara]

I so need to buy a purse. It's definitely on my to-buy list.

[MelanieAnne]

The other day I was looking for my phone. Then I said to myself, "Oh I left it in my purse". It just seemed so natural. Kinda made me smile.

[kimdl93]

I'm not sure I 'wear' a purse, but I certainly carry one when I go out. Where else would I put all the essentials? When I go to the bank, I usually stop in the lobby. The tellers are perfectly accommodating.

[taylormercedes]

Hey Tracey,

I love "purse mode" but mainly cause it excites me to get out of the house when dressed up in my girly attire. And I do agree, it's so much more convenient bot to have to dig thru a purse for my keys lol.

[nikki2014]

Purse mode.... I like it. Could be catchy too. Sounds fun and adventurous. Nikki

[JenniferR771]

I am thinking. Do I need a different purse for summer and winter. Summery purse--to fallish or wintery purse?
Lucky, thrift stores have hundreds of old purses. The average GG probably has about 10 purses on her high closet shelf that she will never use again.
Myself, I would never carry a "bag" in male mode. That is just me. If I need to carry something--most of the time it is a Walmart shopping bag. Or it might say "Goodwill".

[Robin414]

Hey girls, how's this for a purse...can't wear it on the shoulder but with the handle who would want to right? ☺

[Nashmau]

@tracy

lol that zelda sound made my day ^^ (though i will never understand what ppl see in purses o.O)

[Helen_Highwater]

it's a key part of the fun - no pockets means a purse ("handbag" to us brits) is necessary (we call a "female wallet" a "purse" - both are necessary when going out dressed!)

Going out, coat on, re-arrange hair over collar, hand bag over shoulder, grab keys. That's the way it is
I know I struggle to pass, certainly not close inspection but dressing to blend requires a handbag, something practical. Getting my purse out from the depths of my handbag is just one of those femme things. A sign that here's a woman to the casual observer.

[Wendrme]

Have a wonderful leather "man bag" bought in the Coach Men's Store. Got a tremendous deal. Was looking for a bag for a trip to Paris to hold maps, phones etc. was in the markdown section. Original price marked at $349.00, final marked down price was $89.00 and I got 25% off that day. I wear it across chest or if I am feeling girly I wear it on one shoulder. A few girly items, like lipstick and compact and tampons, tucked in, makes digging thru the bag a pleasure. I enjoy paying for something and digging into my "purse" like all the rest of the girls.

[Krisi]

That's one of the differences between males and females. A female will hold up the line while she digs through her purse and counts out the exact change. A male will either swipe a credit card or pay with bills and dump the change into his pocket. Once home, he dumps the change into his dresser drawer for his wife to find so she can pay with exact change tomorrow.

[Sarah Doepner]

I've been carrying a "man bag" with book, notebook, tablet, snacks, tissues, important papers, gift cards, nail file, music player, mini headphones, lip balm, meds, phone, receipts, multi-tool and various other debris for years. I got my first purse a couple of years before I ever left the house or hotel room and rarely will leave without one. Love having multiple purses to choose from, black, brown, tan, cloth, leather, patterned, shoulder straps, hand straps, clutches, lots of pockets or just one big hole to dump things in, I like them all. I have managed to put together a small handbag for those times when I don't need or want a bigger bag, but those are rare times. As I look at what I carry normally, it turns out I carry more in my man bag than I do in my purse when I go out. If having a cluttered up bag is the measure, then I'm more of a girl as a guy than I am as a woman.

[Krisi]

Helen's post points out the differences we have based on location. In my part of the world, what she calls a "handbag" would be called a
purse. What she calls a "purse" would be called a "coin purse". It's carried in the purse.

And then of course there's the "pocketbook".

[mechamoose]

I transitioned from 'pockets' to a purse months ago. It is *so* much easier, there is so much more room. I think most males are missing out.

- MM

[Krisi]

Many, many years ago, when I was working, four of us went to lunch at a Mexican restaurant. Me, of course, two females and another guy who thought he was just the height of fashion. He had a purse which he called a "pantless pocket". We teased him about it every chance we got.

We ate our lunches, paid our checks and were walking to the car when the waitress came running out the door yelling "You forgot your purse!" Of course it was this guy's "pantless pocket". It was a long time before he lived that one down.

[Rhonda Jean]

I carry a purse all the time, except at work where I leave it in my car. Not a man-bad or laptop bag. A full on no-doubt-about-it purse. It's currently my "thing", and has been for a long time. I am constantly on the lookout for the latest one to really appeal to me. Even in male mode, the more feminine the better. I get some looks, but probably not as many as you'd think. Some looks of disdain, some smiles. I carry a woman's wallet, wear women's glasses and carry them in a woman's glasses case, a little makeup, etc.. A bit of a reminder and a bit of a display of my favorite side of me, even when I can't be.

[Veronica27]

The aspects of crossdressing that I like most are those elements that are totally unlike anything I wear or do as a guy. Included among them are purses. My wife has not thrown out any purses for quite a while now, knowing I might have a need for one, so I have a box full to choose from. In guy mode, I usually wear cargo pants or shorts and shirts with a breast pocket, and need all those pockets even when at home. Several pairs of eyeglasses of different strengths, pens, tissues, and keys, my computer mouse and hard drive are all items that I am regularly carrying around. When out, I also have two wallets, (to hold all the cards I need) and my cell phone.

I am mostly closeted but those purses were sure fun to carry when I attended some CD events a few years back. But it is also fun around the house in female mode because I do not have those handy pockets. Also, I usually have additional items like makeup, nail files, combs etc. that I throw in to make it more realistic. I carry it from room to room, and put it beside my chair when I sit. Silly, maybe, but so is getting all gussied up in nice feminine clothes to go nowhere but room to room.

Veronica

[Samantha_Smile]

I like a purse too (we call them 'handbags' over here in ye-olde world).
I often carry one around the house when I have stuff to carry... certainly is easier than lugging around my ecig, eliquid, phone and stylus (I have to use one with nails on) by hand everywhere ;)

Plus it just kinda feels more womanly

[Eryn]

I don't have the purse mode feeling because I always carry one. What I get is the "feeling undressed" sensation when I'm not carrying mine!

[mykell]

i like it too tracy and think i may start to use it, i have only been out once but did use one and it felt so natural...like i had always had one until i tried finding my keys for the return trip home, then not so natural....

[laurenp245]

Lol, love the Zelda sound! Yeah for sure, grabbing your purse before heading out is like the final step towards being ready to go out for sure. After taking great care to make sure your outfit is good, your makeup is looking fab, grabbing your purse is certainly the finishing touch! I relate to this mindset for sure, throwing my purse over my shoulder mentally prepares me for the fact that I'm about to go out and about.

<3 Lauren

[Chloe1955]

When I'm out and about with the wife and in man mode I always carry her handbag (purse) on my shoulder and I love it so for me it feels natural