8 Ways to Downsize Your 10-Pound Tote Bag—and Avoid Back Problems Later

If you’re the type of person who carries their life in their purse, we’re right there with you. Our love for the oversized purse knows no ends; for all we know, an apocalypse may hit us and God forbid we don’t have granola bars and several lipstick options. But the roominess definitely doesn’t exempt it from drawbacks; massive bags can cause back pain and ruin your shoulders over time. Plus, it’s only a matter of time before the bottom of your bag ends up a tangled, shambled mayhem of old receipts and candy wrappers. Ideally speaking, your bag should not weigh any more than 10 percent of your body weight or 10 pounds (whichever is less). If your purse is the size of a small suitcase, but you still have to fumble around for your keys for a whole minute, it may be time to reorganize.

Although we unfortunately cannot teach you the ways of Hermione Granger’s Undetectable Extension Charm, we can show you how to downsize your bulky tote into something a little more manageable. If lugging your purse around has got you feeling like a pack mule, consider these tips on how to minimize that extra weight.