We all have those odd little rules we half-believe, half-laugh at. Don’t open umbrellas indoors. Never put new shoes on the table. And apparently, never – under any circumstances – put your handbag on the floor.
I can’t remember when I first heard it, but it stuck. Something about “money out the door,” whispered like a warning at brunch. It turns out this small superstition has been around for centuries, winding its way from ancient Feng Shui to the modern coffee shop floor.
And while it sounds like harmless old folklore, it’s actually quite revealing – about luck, self-respect, and, if you happen to move in the same circles as Anna Wintour, impeccable taste.
The Superstition: “Money Out the Door”
According to the ancient Chinese practice of Feng Shui, the floor is where energy goes to stagnate. Your handbag, on the other hand, represents your wealth – it’s where you keep your money, your cards, your ID, and in many cases, your entire life (plus an emergency lipstick and at least one snack).
So, the belief goes: place your bag on the floor and you’re symbolically putting your wealth in a lowly, neglected position. The universe takes note – and your bank balance may follow suit.
There’s even a Chinese proverb that sums it up neatly:
“A purse on the floor is money out the door.”
In other words, treat your handbag (and by extension, your money) with care, or risk watching it all disappear into the ether.
And honestly, whether you believe in energy flow or not, there’s something rather poetic about the idea that how we treat our things reflects how we value ourselves.
This Belief Travels Well
This superstition isn’t confined to one culture. Across Latin America, Turkey, various African countries, and parts of Europe, you’ll find the same warning – different words, same sentiment.
In Brazil, they’ll tell you you’ll never have money again if you do it.
In Turkey, it’s practically a financial death wish.
And in parts of Europe, it’s simply not done – especially in polite company.
There’s an almost universal understanding that your bag is not just an accessory; it’s a symbol of prosperity, independence, and preparedness. To dump it on the floor is, quite literally, to drop your standards.
The Anna Wintour Connection
Now, we can’t talk about fashion folklore without invoking the queen herself.
There’s a story – half rumour, half legend – that Anna Wintour once scolded a celebrity for placing her designer handbag on the floor during a fashion event. The story circulates every so often in style circles, whispered reverently, like a cautionary tale for the aesthetically ambitious.
Did it actually happen? Who knows. But it feels true, doesn’t it?
Because of course Anna Wintour would never let a handbag – especially one worth the price of a small car – touch the floor. In her world, that’s not just a breach of etiquette, it’s practically an act of rebellion.
For Wintour, it’s not superstition – it’s strategy. Everything in her realm, from sunglasses to seating charts, serves the bigger picture: maintaining an image of discipline, refinement, and high value. Putting your bag on the floor? That’s the opposite of all that.
And honestly, she might be onto something.
The Practical (and Very Real) Reasons
Even if you roll your eyes at superstition, there are still plenty of very rational reasons to keep your handbag off the ground:
1. Hygiene.
Floors are disgusting. I could end this point there, really. But imagine your handbag sitting in the same place where muddy shoes, spilt coffee, and city grime have passed. Then think about how often that same bag touches your kitchen counter, even your bedding. Enough said.
2. Theft.
When your bag’s on the floor, it’s out of sight and easier to snatch – especially in cafés or restaurants. Hanging it over a chair or keeping it close makes you look both chic and savvy.
3. Damage.
A beautiful bag deserves better than scuffs and mystery stains. If you’ve ever spent a small fortune on leather care, you’ll know the floor is no friend to craftsmanship.
And if you’re still not convinced, there are whole companies now making adorable handbag hooks – little metallic saviours that let you hang your bag neatly off the table (I have one of them and they are brilliant!). Proof, if ever it were needed, that superstition breeds innovation.
The Psychology of It All
There’s a deeper message in this superstition, too, especially for women over 40.
For so many of us, our handbags have evolved alongside us. In our twenties, they were statements. In our thirties, survival kits. By our forties, they’re mobile command centres containing everything from receipts and reading glasses to paracetamol and snacks “for emergencies.”
So when we protect them, it’s not vanity, it’s value.
It’s a small, everyday reminder that we’re worth taking care of.
Maybe that’s why the superstition resonates so strongly. It’s not just about money leaving your life; it’s about energy, care, and respect – for your things, and by extension, for yourself.
It’s About More Than Luck (It’s About You)
Somewhere between Feng Shui and fashion week, this simple rule has transformed into something timeless: a quiet little symbol of how we value ourselves and what we’ve built.
When you lift your bag onto a chair instead of the floor, you’re saying,
“This has worth. I have worth.”
And that’s not superstition – that’s self-respect.
So next time someone rolls their eyes when you refuse to put your bag on the floor, smile sweetly and say,
“I’m just not tempting fate – or Anna Wintour.”
Five Things You Should Never Put on the Floor (and Why)
- Your handbag – obviously. It’s your wealth, your style, and your sanity in one chic package.
- Your coat – unless you want to discover just how absorbent a restaurant floor can be.
- Your phone – because the moment it hits the floor, the universe guarantees you’ll get a message you can’t ignore.
- Your coffee – that’s not a superstition, that’s just self-preservation.
- Your standards – never. Especially when it comes to where you put your bag.
A Little Closing Thought
Maybe not putting your bag on the floor isn’t really about superstition at all. Maybe it’s about how we value what we’ve earned, collected, and carried through life – both literally and metaphorically.
We’ve all worked too hard to toss our things (or ourselves) somewhere thoughtless. So, hang that handbag high, give it the respect it deserves, and if anyone rolls their eyes, just smile and say:
“It’s not superstition, darling – it’s strategy.”
What about you? Do you have little superstitions or old habits you secretly follow – even if you don’t quite believe in them?
Take care, stay safe.
Becks Xo
My life and style over 40 