It's in the bag

It is the one accessory few women will leave home without.

In fact two thirds admit to never walking out of the door unless clutching a favourite clutch or holding a holdall.

Crammed with make-up, purse, mobile phone, keys and diaries, handbags have become the grown-up girl's security blanket, equipping her to face confidently all the day can throw at her.

And the type of handbag a woman carries is a valuable clue to her personality, according to researchers.

First on the list is the 'obsessive perfectionist', who favours practical and perfectly organised bags.

Apparently half of all British women fit into this highly efficient category.

The others, according to a study of 2,000 women, make up four other types.

More than one in ten fall into the 'fashion victim' group. When it comes to handbags, they imitate celebrities and have a love of the flashiest labels that attract maximum attention.

Victoria Beckham and her ubiquitous Louis Vuitton holdall is the perfect fashion victim partnership. Mrs Beckham was second only to Kate Moss as the woman most admired for her taste in handbags, according to the study. Another 11.3 per cent of women surveyed were identified as 'customary habituals'.

They are characterised by their long-term affair with the same (usually black) bag.

Routine and familiarity are central to their lives. They enjoy going to the same restaurants and shops.

The Queen, who is faithful to a solid black handbag, is a perfect example.

One in ten fall into the 'jumble bunnies' brigade.

These women favour the largest oversized handbags, haphazardly crammed with clutter that reflects their chaotic lifestyle. Britney Spears and her capacious carryall is a good example.

Then there is the fashionista pack, who love a different bag for every outfit.

More than 16 per cent of those surveyed fell into this category, always first with the must-have look, just like Kate Moss and her sold out Balenciaga bag.

The survey, commissioned by hair appliance maker Babyliss, found more than one in three women buy a handbag every two months while half own between three and nine bags.