The handbag is still the indispensable accessory for most, if not all, women. Many professional women will be seen with not one bag, but several, including a briefcase in which might be placed some items once thought the province of the plain handbag.

Women, researchers say, need to feel that they have everything to meet all possible emergencies. Some writers add that this is a need grounded in their nurturing nature.

Women also have many more things that don't fit in and have to be carried separately in other bags, or even a stylish briefcase.

Most recently, researchers have noted that the handbag is one of the most significant offenders where the carriage of bacteria from place to place was concerned.

Nearly all of the handbags tested in one study were not only high in bacteria, but high in harmful kinds of bacteria, such as pseudomonas, which can cause eye infections, staphylococcus aurous can cause serious skin infections, and salmonella and e-coli, which cause food poisoning.

What's inside is a problem as, apparently, the bags are not cleaned as often as they should. But, even more problematic is where those bags are placed as they are moved by their owners from location to location.

Have you ever seen handbags propped on public bathrooms sinks and on the floors of cars? Most likely, those same bags are simply tossed on the bed when the women get home.

For security and hygienic purposes, the handbag should be placed well within sight and off the floor. It should never be placed on surfaces which see heavy usage, such as sinks in public bathrooms where vomit, saliva, sputum, hairs and other substances and bacteria-carrying articles might have been present.

Your handbag should be frequently cleaned and it should never be left in places where germs are likely to attach themselves.

At the same time, it should not be left in locations where food is being eaten.

When you go out, if you see a handbag hanger, use it. Otherwise, make every effort to keep the bag ways from surfaces where it can pick up bacteria, which will then contaminate other surfaces when you least expect it.

- Outlook Team

Researchers note the differences between handbags from '50s-'60s and that of today.

'50s-'60s handbags contained: Money, one or two lipsticks, a compact, two embroidered handkerchiefs, a package of letters, an address book, ration cards, two scraps of paper with telephone numbers, one hairnet, one fountain pen, two pencils, rubber band and hairpins.

2007 handbags contain: Credit/debit cards, loyalty cards, mint mouth fresheners, cellphone, change purse, chequebook, crumpled tissues, sanitary napkins, electronic organiser, hand cream, hairbrush, keys, lip balm, make-up case, pens and a wallet for carrying cash.