How the way you hold your purse speaks volumes about your personality

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Kathlyn Hendricks, 67, the author of Conscious Loving Ever After, says the way you carry your handbag speaks volumes about your character
Gigi Hadid has been seen carrying her crossbody bag in front of her, a sign that she is feeling particularly shy, according to Kathlyn
Kendall Jenner often lets her bag swing freely behind her, which is thought to show that she cares more about practicality than looks
Carrying your bag in the crook of your arm, like Reese Witherspoon tends to do, shows that you prioritize status over function

Published: 08:42 EST, 30 September 2015 | Updated: 16:06 EST, 30 September 2015

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Whether it's a satchel or a crossbody, a woman's bag holds a whole lot more than just her belongings, as one body language expert has revealed that the way you carry your purse divulges a great deal about your personality.

Kathlyn Hendricks, 67, a California-based body language expert and author of Conscious Loving Ever After, explained to Glamour.com that the way you carry your purse while running errands or attending events may speak volumes about your character.

And while there are a variety of ways to hold a handbag, Kathlyn touched upon the six most common ways to wear popular purse styles, including shoulder bags, crossbodies, and totes.

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Signature style: Diane Kruger (left), 39, and Kendall Jenner (right), 19, may be drawing attention to the fact that they value their careers by holding their bags like a briefcase, according to body expert Kathlyn Hendricks

Similar style: Kim Kardashian, 34, showed off the bag her daughter North West painted for her (left), while Selena Gomez, 23, was all business at the airport in Paris (right)

HELD IN HAND

When attending formal functions, you have may have no other choice than but to carry your tiny clutch, however, Kathlyn noted that when women choose to hold larger bags in their hand like a briefcase, they are calling attention to the importance of their job.

Actress Diane Kruger, 39, has been photographed holding her hand bag on the red carpet, while Kendall Jenner, 19, has been seen carrying hers by her knees while running errands in Los Angeles.

And according to Kathlyn the two women are subconsciously reminding onlookers - and the paparazzi who are taking their photos - that they take their careers very seriously.

Repeat offender: Women who hold their handbags in the crook of their arm like Reese Witherspoon (pictured), 39, are telling the world that they don't need both arms as they are prioritizing status over function

Pretty in pink: Emmy Rossum, 29, may have carried her handbag like this in 2012 because she wanted to show it off

WORN AROUND ELBOW

Another popular way to carry your handbag is in the crook of your arm, and according to Kathlyn, this may be a sign of prioritizing 'status and position'.

'You're basically de-operationalizing one of your arms in order to carry something of that size, telling everyone you don't need to use both arms as you move around in the world,' she said. 'This harkens back to the times when women's packages were carried for them.'

A woman who opts to hold her bag this way, may also be trying to show off her purse because it is a status symbol or features special detailing.

Reese Witherspoon, 39, was recently spotted in Beverly Hills carrying a suede brown bag from her line Draper James in Beverly Hills, and in 2012 Emmy Rossum, now 29, carried her pale pink Dior Diorissimo Bag in the crook of her arm to possibly highlight the fact that the pricey bag matched her outfit perfectly.

Model style: Freida Pinto (left), 30, and Jourdan Dunn (right), 25, both opted to hold on tight to their shoulder bags, which means they are practical

WORN OVER ONE SHOULDER WITH BAG KEPT CLOSE TO BODY

Women who wear their shoulder bag close to their bodies are likely to be pragmatic and more concerned with function than appearance.

'It points to the wearer prioritizing her freedom of movement over the display elements,' Kathlyn explained.

Model Jourdan Dunn, 25, flaunted her Chanel bag over her shoulder at the Bottega Veneta show during Milan Fashion Week this month.

And Freida Pinto, 30, held on tight to her shoulder bag on the red carpet at the Go90 Social Entertainment Platform Sneak Peek Event at in Beverly Hills last week.

Free spirit: Both Kate Hudson (left), 36, and Jessica Alba (right), 34, carried their handbags loosely around their shoulder, proving they weren't necessarily concerned with their appearance at the time

WORN OVER ONE SHOULDER, SWINGING FREELY

Women who wear their bags over their shoulder but allow them to hang casually aren't concerned with the way their purse looks, but rather, they want to carry it in away that is practical and easy for them to access.

Kate Hudson, 36, recently wore her black fringe handbag in this manner while attending Nick Jonas' concert in New York City earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Jessica Alba, 34, left her silver should bag loosely hanging over her shoulder and partially open while giving a speech at one of her Honest Company events in Los Angeles last week.

Feeling self-conscious: Kathlyn noted that celebrities such as Diane and Gigi Hadid (right), 20, may carry their crossbody bags in front of them because they are feeling shy - particularly in front of the paparazzi

WORN CROSSBODY WITH BAG IN FRONT OF BODY

You may think their is only one way to wear the popular crossbody style of handbag, however, choosing whether to keep your bag in front of or behind your body is actually a telling sign of your temperament.

A woman who wears keeps her crossbody in front may be feeling cautious, shy or defensive, and Kathlyn noted that it is not uncommon to see celebrities holding their bags like this when they confronted with paparazzi while running errands or attending events.

Both Gigi Hadid and Diane Kruger have been seen carrying their bags in this manner, with both opting to use their purses as a kind of subconscious shield while they were being photographed.

In a hurry: Anna Kendrick let her tan crossbody bag inch behind her as she walked into Reese Witherspoon's offices on Monday, which shows she was more concerned with function over appearance

Leave me alone: Kendall let her handbag trail behind her when she was trying to flee from the paparazzi earlier this month

WORN CROSSBODY WITH BAG BEHIND BODY

Women who wear their bag behind them aren't concerned with how they look at that point in time. They may have slung the bag on in a hurry or they are busy with whatever they are doing in that moment.

Anna Kendrick let her tan crossbody bag inch behind her as she walked into Reese Witherspoon's offices on Monday, while Kendall let her purse trail behind her when she was trying to avoid having her picture taken in Beverly Hills earlier this month.

NO BAG? NO PROBLEM

'Not carrying a bag indicates a level of status where others handle the every-day issues such as money and schedules,' Kathlyn explained.

'This personality is the most self-assured of the group, relying on staff so that she can simply be.'