Our lives in our bags

Women's handbags have ballooned so much in weight they are having to be redesigned to cope with the burden.

The average fully laden handbag was 1.72kg five years ago but now weighs 2.37kg, the equivalent of five bags of sugar, according to a survey.

It is forecast to go through the 3kg barrier within the next five years.

Retailers have blamed the trend on the many items of technology that women carry around, such as mobile phones, chargers, BlackBerries, palmtop computers and even laptops.

Other bulky items include diaries and address books, A-Z books, purses full of plastic cards, glossy magazines and cosmetics. Women on their way to work often carry smart shoes as well.

Asda, which carried out the research and sells handbags through its George range, said it had asked manufacturers to increase the strength of straps and stitching because of the extra strain.

Swinging a heavy bag can increase the pressure on the strap. Measures being considered include double-ply material, new stitching patterns and design changes to reduce "stress points".

Asda brand director Fiona Lambert said: "Women have often complained modern life is becoming a burden and now we know they are right. They are carrying the equivalent of five bags of sugar with them everywhere. The contents of a woman's handbag is a good indicator of their lifestyle. Increased weight must mean increasing responsibilities."

Sue Braddick, John Lewis's assistant handbag buyer, said: "We are seeing a trend for bigger bags. For example, sales of Mulberry bags, which tend to be bigger anyway, are up 19 per cent. Radley have just launched a bag called the Assam, which is a really large tote bag and that's selling very well.

"The two best-selling own brands are compartment bags. They have lots of different pockets and compartments so it helps women organise the many things they have to carry around."

Linda Jackson, director of recruitment and training consultancy Fairplace, said: "I have just bought a bag called The Overnighter. I'm not going to use it as an overnight bag, it's simply to cart all my usual stuff around.

"It has to be able to take my make-up, phone, BlackBerry and sometimes a pair of shoes or some extra jewellery if I'm going out in the evening. Also, it has obviously got to be big enough to take an A4 rolled-up file because I might need to do some work. It really is a mobile office."

Communications consultant Lesley Smith said: "You'd think bags would be getting lighter because we've all dumped Filofaxes but we still keep paper diaries and the purse has got much heavier because it's so full of plastic. For the later-in-life working mother like me, you've also often got the baby's bottle and changing bag."

Ella Cameron, 16, from Fulham

Handbag weight: 2.6kg

Contents: Jacket, iPod, book, wallet, phone, camera, make-up, perfume, keys, nail varnish, photographs, loose change.

She says: "I carry too much around with me and at the end of the day I feel the effect. It's a real weight on my shoulder. I overpack. I don't need half the stuff in there. I think it's paranoia on my part - I want to be covered for every eventuality."

Sarah Lewis, 31, an artist from Fulham

Handbag weight: 2.4kg

Contents: Bottle of Orangina, panettone, phone, wallet, keys, diary, gloves.

She says: "I don't rethink every journey so I carry everything around no matter where I am going. It's a dead weight. Usually my bag is even heavier than this because I often carry around shoes, clothes and an entire make-up bag."

Melody Lenz, 30, a writer from Dallas

Handbag weight: 4.3kg

Contents: Laptop, movie script, pens, wallet, lip balm, powder, diary, notepad.

She says: "I never usually carry a handbag at all. I have got this today because I am working. I usually just make do with a wallet and if I really need to carry things around with me I make a point of being as economical and efficient as possible."

Helly Robinson, 15, from Holland Park

Handbag weight: 1.2kg

Contents: Phone, gloves, wallet, camera, make-up, hairbrush, keys.

She says: "This is a very light handbag for me. Usually I carry a lot more around and usually I don't need it. If I change handbags I just bung everything in the next one no matter whether I need it."

Sarah Robinson, 18, from Holland Park

Handbag weight: 1.6kg

Contents: Gloves, purse, iPod, iPod speakers, sunglasses, camera, keys, letter, pencil, nail file, diary.

She says: "My handbag is even heavier in the summer when I have moisturiser and suntan lotion in it. Sometimes I even carry a sewing kit in case a button falls off. I have been known to carry a Prit stick and Sellotape. It is ridiculous girls feel the need to carry so much around with them."

- Alex Stephens/ Evening Standard