Health warning for big bag owners

Big is beautiful, many commentators say. But can the same be said of handbags?

For some. oversized handbags have become a must-have, both as a style accessory and as a practical measure as we carry more and more loose items around with us.

But there is also a growing murmur that large bags might not quite be the answer to prayers that women were hoping for.

As bags get bigger, the more likely people are to want to fill them, believes Pam Spurr, Author of Sex, Guys and Chocolate.

"On the outside, they are a symbol of how successful we are. But on the inside, we cram them full of stuff because we think we need all these things to conduct our lives efficiently," she explained to the Daily Mail.

All this extra weight can begin to take its strain. Sammy Margo, a physiotherapist, told the Mirror that an increasing number of her patients are reporting neck, back and shoulder problems caused by heavy handbags.

"Some women carry as much as 11 lbs around every day, which [in the] long-term can cause serious problems," she claimed.

Her opinion was backed up by Tim Hutchful of the Chiropractic Association in the UK, who told the Mail that heavy handbags can even cause headaches.