Special Report: Livin’ large

With huge handbags being all the rage, we decided to hit the streets to see if style tips the scales.

You could say Jennifer Aniston, Lindsay Lohan, and Nicole Ritchie are carrying a lot of baggage, these days!

We're not talking about their personal lives, but their purses.

Mary J. Hickey/Northeastern University, Physical Therapy Department
"Big handbags are in, they are very fashionable."

And it's not just celebrities who have jumped on this latest bag-wagon… throughout Boston, bigger seems to be better, when it comes to handbags.

Handbag Carrier
"I like the big bag."

We took to the streets to see how quickly style can tip the scales.

Beth Staples/Handbag Carrier
"It's got to be 10-12 pounds most days"

And, these slaves to fashion have learned the hard way...

"You're like 12 pounds, wow"

This trend can turn into torture!

Handbag Carrier
"It definitely affects right here on the shoulder. I have to squat back and forth sometimes."

Beth Staples/Handbag Carrier
"Sometimes my back hurts a little bit but mostly it's my wrists.

We found out the problem isn't really the bag, but how much is inside.

Beth Staples/Handbag Carrier
"I have my book always, sunglasses, wallet, my tissues, my gum, my mirror, may hand cream, cell phone...

Experts say all these little things can add up to painful problems.

Mary J. Hickey/Northeastern University, Physical Therapy Department
"It can lead to an awful lot of neck and back pain from the way that they're carrying things."

Northeastern Professor Mary Hickey shows her students how quickly a big bag can weigh you down.

Mary J. Hickey/Northeastern University, Physical Therapy Department
"Your shoulders look nice and level, You're nice and straight."

But watch what happens when you add a close to 20 lbs. bag to her shoulder.

Mary J. Hickey/Northeastern University, Physical Therapy Department
"You have the tip going."

It gets even worse during the walk test... this is walking with a 3 lbs. Bag, and this is with that painful 20 pounder.

Mary J. Hickey/Northeastern University, Physical Therapy Department
"It looks labored. It looks uncomfortable."

So how can you keep in step with fashion without hurting yourself?

Mary J. Hickey/Northeastern University, Physical Therapy Department
"The ideal weight of a handbag should be between 5-7 pounds. You're really pushing it if you go more than 7."

Don't carry a heavy bag to your side…

Hickey says carrying it closer to your center or over your shoulder will cut down on the strain on your muscles.

To keep the weight down, do a daily inventory, take out stuff you're not going to need that day.

If it's not going to rain that day, you don't need an umbrella.

And, if you have to carry a lot, even out the load by using two bags.

Our expert says problems can develop right away from carrying a heavy handbag, but the good news is it's a problem that can easily be fixed.

Related link:
NU Prof. warns that big backpacks cause big back pain

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