The weight of women's handbags has dropped by 57% in two years. The new generation of gadgets that women carry is so light that an average bag now weighs 3.3lb - down from 7.3lb. Lighter, multi-purpose technology, such as iPhones and Blackberrys, have replaced heavy laptops and "brick" phones. Sue Tebbitts, handbag buyer at Debenhams, said a trend for small and discreet had replaced enormous "It" bags.