Celebrity handbag typologies

Celebrities of course carry many different styles and sizes of bags. On the outside, what we, the celebrity watchers see is uber chic, highly stylized purses that make us one to dash out and copy their style!

Anjula Mutanda TV psychologist and Kleenex Consultant analyses four types of handbag typologies for Madonna, Paris Hilton, Jennifer Aniston and Eva Longoria. From minimalist perfection to designer chic, your choice of handbag and what you choose to put in it, says a lot more about your personality than you may expect.

No matter what size bag Madonna carries, this woman is focused and driven. With a constant awareness of trends, Madonna’s outer personality, reveals a woman who is in charge and fashion savvy. However, Madonna gave us a tantalising sneaky peak into what her purse priorities might be at a recent celebrity auction, and thus indicated that her personality type may well be- minimalist perfection

The contents of her purse on that famous auction day when Madonna opened up… so to speak were: a magnifying mirror, hair clips, skin blotting tissues and a lip gloss. No unnecessary baggage and no clutter. This would suggest that Madonna by nature may well be ordered, and careful at paying attention to small details that others may miss.

Decluttering may not be a problem for her, and she’s unafraid to get rid of things that are no longer working for her. She may have a preference for bags with lots of compartments that enable her to keep her life in control and ticking over to perfection.

You likes to keep it simple. You enjoy being ordered and may well be drawn to a bag with lots of compartments or pockets. You are  never weighed down with unnecessary clutter, secure in the knowledge that you have all that you need.

You choos your bag with care paying a lot of attention to detail and rarely buy on impulse – you may well prefer picking out one key piece that goes with all your outfits.

You regularly declutter your bag and don’t have any regrets about what you throws out. Focused and organised are your key strengths.

Paris is in a very desirable position- one that allows her to indulge herself in the latest fashion trends. Bold colours, designer labels and showy bags hold no fear for her. This is a give away sign of the designer chic woman. Her outer persona presents a confident fashion sense that often means that others want to emulate her style, and make bold choices for themselves.

However, as Paris bags are often glamorous ornaments that may not always be practical, she has a canny contingency plan. Behind the scenes, she may have a tendency to surround herself with people, who will have the more down to earth items that she may need, but won’t want to be seen cluttered up with. Paris is clever-her hidden self may be carried by her assistant in a sizable and functional bag that contains tissues, money, and spare bling!

You are a woman who enjoys having a different bag for different occasions and being fashion forward is definitely your thing. Flicking through the latest style magazines and picking out your next purse gives you an adrenalin rush and you are not above the odd impulse purchase (or two!). You carry little or large pieces of glamour like a prized possession and are unafraid to model bold colours or showy styles. Your fabulous bags tend to contain equally fabulous gadgets. Always on the look out for the next new design, your key strengths are confidence and an outspoken style.

Jennifer is often seen with a black albeit stylish bag. People who tend to carry this style suggest that good quality, being understated and practical are the key priorities for their purse choice, and Jennifer certainly seems to plump for this more quiet elegance, and appears to feel safer that way.

The classically poised individual chooses their definitive signature style (- think Audrey Hepburn, the iconic classically poised woman) - and they stick to it - which also suggests a person who wants to feel secure, and is uncomfortable with change. The classically poised individual tends to be very discreet, quite secretive and has few close friends who belong to her inner circle and she is close and very loyal to them. She derives real pleasure from the security and warmth that these types of relationships bring.

You are the Audrey Hepburn of handbag carriers. Quality and good value are your key concerns. Your quiet elegance and effortless style tends to draw nods of approval from those around you. A leader by nature, you have a definitive style signature that others want to copy. The inner contents of your bag remain secret as only you have the knowledge of what you carry within. However, your warmth and engaging nature make you approachable and friendly and these are your key strengths.

Eva Longoria seems to have a taste for the over size bag. Always stylish, she also seems to have a keen eye on being prepared for every eventuality. Like Eva, this type of person often thinks ahead, and errs on the side of caution. “What ifs”, feature largely in her thought processes. A nurturer by nature, this type of person is reliable, and her friends and colleagues know this!

Eva may well have a real willingness to support others, and like a typical nurturer is sometimes in danger of prioritizing others ahead of her self. Like her over flowing bag, she may have difficulty de-cluttering both things that are way past their sell by date, or relationships that may be weighing her down. However, this type is often popular, and seldom short of friends.

You are a woman who is ready for every eventuality. You are a nurturer by nature, and will ensure that you have a spare everything just in case and of course a sizable bag to match! You’ll never be without every practical life-tool from pens to tissues, phone numbers to headache tablets - you name it, you've got it! You like a bag that can contain all your “what-ifs”. This means that you can often be found rummaging inside your bag through the clutter for a way to help out. A reliable problem-solver, and being prepared are your key strengths.

Psychologically, our bags are an extension of who we are. The style of bag (or bags) we tend to choose, sends out a conscious message about our outer personalities, stating- “this is how I want you to see me”. - Whether it is: confident, fashion forward, arty, hardworking, or fun. Our inner personalities: (who we really are) are often hidden within our purses, and tend to reveal much more about what’s going on in our lives.

Whether we are the nurturer, and carry spare tissues, recipes, tons of old receipts and have a motto that says “be prepared”, or the designer chic, who carries the most expensive mobile phone, and a lipstick whose cover is encrusted in diamante, we are giving many hidden messages away!