We are traveling to Italy in a month. It is time to buy that "safe purse". I have scoured this board and muct admit that I am confused about what to take with me. Give specifics.

try daymakers of santa barbara. 7 pocket travelling purse. Security purses that hold lots of stuff. Steel cables in the strap. And not bad looking. $56 plus shipping at packinglite.net

I choose from one of my normal everyday leather pocketbooks. Usually of pouch style, medium to large size, thick strap that goes over shoulder or across the body, zippered closure.

I don't care for "travel" bags with all those fancy gismos, straps, pockets... I just get confused! I like everything in one compartment so I can see it (I buy a set of 3 clear plastic cosmetic bags to keep stuff in order).

Also, as with shoes, I find I am immediately more comfortable with a bag that is broken in and that I am used to using.

I have a long-handled microfiber totebag that I use. I ordered it on e-bag, but there are lots of variations in lots of places. I do now like straps that are long enough so I can sling the bag across my chest if I want to--as much for comfort as for security, sometimes balancing it on one shoulder doesn't work well.

I don't use any 'security' items per se, when it comes to wallets or purses. I've traveled a lot, have never been a crime victim. I live in a large city so perhaps my precautions are second nature at this point; you should do what feels right for you. I do like my totebags to have inside pockets that can zip, just so I can bury my wallet and credit cards.

We are just back from Florence, and I traveled over and back with a largish purse that holds everything I need for the plane ride, plus my prescriptions and such.

When we arrive, I empty the purse and switch to a small bag with a long strap that crosses my body. Since it is small, I can bring more than one -- for daytime, for dinner, or just more than one color. This trip I brought 2 black purses and bought another small red purse in Fiesole that fit the criteria.

I don't carry my full size wallet at all. I leave it at home and carry my license, credit cards, and insurance card in a small zip case from Coach. I have another small leather wallet that I purchased at a flea market in Sorrento that opens to hold bills, plus it has a spot for coins-- it's about the size of a deck of cards. Tissues and lip gloss and I am ready to go. It's so much easier on the back than carrying a large tote all day long.

I swear by my nylon "healthy bag" - the strap can be adjusted, so I can change from shoulder to cross body depending on circumstances. It's not stylish but sure serves my purposes. I use one of the outside pockets to park my camera; the camera strap around my neck, but the body in the purse pocket so the weight is not on my neck. I have two small change purses with keychain type clips on them that I attach to the hook inside the purse; that way when I pull out my money, the small purse is still attached and no chance of my dropping it. I assume I would also notice if anyone tried to lift it.

In summer, use a microfiber purse with zipper. As small as I can manage, with room for a camera and sundries for the day (not a lot of stuff). Valuables (ticket home, passport, credit cards not being used that day, emergency trav. checks) always go in my moneybelt!

Hi
This was covered in great length about a few weeks ago and in it I mentioned the QVC bags and I own the smaller one and my daughter the larger and have used mine on a couple of European trips and it has been next to perfect. So if you check into QVC.com they do have these travel purses very reasonable . Although naturally each of us would design each one differently for our own preferences, however in absence of that ability, these work EXTREME well, IMO. Have a great trip. Halfpint

Hi there --

My husband and I use an under-the-shirt/around-the-neck money pouch first and foremost. Credit cards, passports, and currency stays in that.

For other items, we use a unisex sling from Fossil that either of us can carry. It fits across the shoulder, has several pockets, and one hand can always be on it. The zippers are under a flap and on the backside, so it would be difficult for a thief to get into w/o the wearer noticing. It's also waterproof. =) We fill it with souvenirs, books, maps, and our camera. Never had a problem yet. Here's a link if you're curious:

http://www.fossil.com/shopping/produ...ctedcolor=1836

Good luck! - h.

Unisex is key here. You don't want to end up being the person who carries everything around. I have a messenger bag that my husband can carry too. Otherwise, my back gives out from all the maps, souveniers, and water bottles. "Can you fit this in your bag" sends my nerve endings into battle mode.

To everyone who has replied: Do these shoulder strap handbags STAY on your shoulder?

When you buy in a store, you can test it out before you buy it. See how comfortable it is, does it slip off your shoulder, etc.

With these virtual stores on-line, it sounds like pure luck unless you get recommendations from someone who has actually used the handbag for an extended period of time.

Hi again --

kane, the strap on the Fossil bag we use goes over your head and under the opposite arm from the shoulder it rests on, crossing the wearer's chest. Hopefully that makes sense. It has an adjustable, padded strap and has never slipped off. =)

Hope that helps! - h.

I never carry money or credit cards in my purse. I either put them in a small card case in my front slacks pocket, or, if I have on a jacket, I carry them in an inside pocket. Then I just carry guide book and map and personal items in my purse. On my most recent trip to Florence, I had a very nice Stone Mountain soft leather pouch bag. It had one nice substantial strap and a zipper closing and an outside zipper pocket. On the crowded bus to Fiesole, I suspected the fellow standing next to me was trying to unzip my purse. When I looked him in the face, he quickly exited the bus, leaving my purse partially unzipped, but all my valuables safe. The funny thing was, I was standing directly under the sign that said "Beware, pickpockets on Bus."

I use the Healthy Back Bag also. I feel it is very safe and it has many pockets to keep you organized. I really like that you can hold a water bottle in the outside pocket.

Healthy back bag for me. I bought one (medium size, microfiber, cleans beautifully) to take to Europe and purchased the small size in leather to use as a "regular" purse upon our return. The strap stays put, because it is coated or impregnated with rubber on the underside of the strap to provide traction.

I take along a small leather back pack. A small amount of money gets tucked in the inside zippered pocket. It has two zippered pouches on the side, I keep my new film in and the other my camera when it is not looped around my wrist, which isn't often. I just got it in a leather store, and I treated it so it would be water repellant. A friend lent me a very thin nylon pouch which I kept my passport in and 90% of my money in, and that was worn under my clothing. I believe it was from Eddie Bauer.

I use a nylon messenger type bag with adjustable strap that can be worn as a "regular" purse or across my body. I love the way you can just wipe it clean.
I have a small black "wristlet" by Kenneth Cole that I carry inside of that with my documents, ID, etc. At night I use just the wristlet.
This way you have a "nice" purse for evenings but aren't always changing things out.

I am with Suzi..I just use my usual shoulder bag with a zip. I have a tiny purse for the evening which is nothing more than a clutch for a comb, lipstick and a credit card. I travel extensively and never use any thing else unless hiking and then I dont bring a purse..oh and within the last 12 months, my bag (and I) have been to the Artic, Florida, Switzerland, the UKx3, francex3, seattle, Vermont, Cuba, Senegal, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Iceland, Japan, Russia and Mexico. Both my purse and I are getting quite tired!