It is without a doubt an all consuming addiction second only to shoes.

From the time of the cavewoman one could imagine we were weaving bags from grass to carry around our more essential items... like rocks and sticks.

Not because we needed to, but because we could.

And since the time Mary Poppins pulled a hat stand and mirror out of her carpet bag, the women of Tamworth have been endeavouring to prove they can do the same.

Meet the modern handbag - portable chemist, hair and beauty salon, occasional pantry, filing system, sewing box and newsagent - we will spend billions to have.

From lowly beginnings as a convenient way to sling money and keys over our shoulder it has expanded to incorporate every aspect of, excuse the pun, a woman's purse-onality.

A recent handbag poll has revealed Australian woman are spending about $1.7 billion per year on handbags alone.

And is it any wonder when we have so many to choose from - big ones, small ones, day time, night time, special occasion, leather, vinyl, fabric, beaded, fur, tweed, sequins, clutch, sling, shoulder, tote, accordion, reticule, bucket, balantine, baguette - oh stop me!

Now to be fair, there are some women who are doing more than their share of supporting the local handbag population.

A survey of Tamworth women conducted by The Leader revealed local women had on average between four and 10 handbags.

However, one respondent confessed to being a "handbag gatherer".

"I have a whole cupboard full that I change around every now and again," she said.

"I buy a new one as often as I can, or see one I have to have."

Another confessed to buying 17 at the one time while another estimates she has about 40.

"I sold three on eBay last year - I have been trying to cut down," she said.

The frequency of purchases varied widely across the group with some citing once every couple of years to a new one every season.

And if you're wondering about that $1.7 billion figure, some of these ladies could be responsible.

Price tags like $200, $180, $80, $75, $150 for a single handbag all add up.

One even admitted a weak moment in the 1980s when she purchased a bag for $800.

But why? Why do we spend so much of our hard-earned cash on a bag to hold, one would assume, an empty wallet?

Here's what some of our respondents said:

"My bag carries my life. Until recently it held nappies, baby wipes and a change of clothes. Usually there is also an umbrella in there too."

"A handbag can make or break an outfit - I just love them."

"My handbag contains my life, it is my filing system for current jobs to be done and is my mobile survival kit all in one."

"An accessory that a girl should never go without!"

"A handbag can mean as much or as little to each individual. Some people treat them as security blankets as you can take what you need anywhere you go."

"Sometimes they're just not big enough..."

"My mum taught my sister and I to save up and buy good quality shoes, bras and handbags and the shoes and bags should match."

"Mmm, if you get a new boyfriend you definitely need to buy a new handbag!"

If further proof was ever needed that the handbag is more than a simple accessory as one lady said "handbags don't care if your having a fat day or not, they still look the same".

* Names have been withheld to protect the identity of those women who would sell their mother for a fake Fendi rather than wait five years to get their hands on a Hermes Birkin.