purse vs wallet

[keannu]

I've always thought "wallet" is same as "purse", but it seems here "wallet" is for keeping money, and smaller than purse. What is the truth?

go3mo-19
ex)It was a long day, which included picking up her son. At 6:30 p.m., Jane found herself at the local grocery store
helping him with his homework. After unloading their cart at the checkout, Jane realized to her utter embarrassment that her wallet was not in the purse. Without any hesitation,the checkout lady in front of her said,

 

[SoothingDave]

Wallets hold money, credit cards, identification, etc.

Women carry their wallets in their purses. Men carry a wallet in a pocket, usually in their pants. Men don't carry purses.

 

[keannu]

It seems, according to dictionaries' definition, purse is a synonym as wallet in the UK, while it means only handbags like Coach handbags. So in the US, purses are bigger handbags than wallets. Right?

 

[emsr2d2]

In the UK, a handbag is what (mostly) women carry, containing keys, money, makeup, mobile phone etc etc. most women keep their money in a purse inside their handbag. A purse can be tiny, just for carrying a couple of folded-up notes and some coins (sometimes called a coin purse or a change purse) up to a big one which holds credit cards, driving licence, unfolded money and coins, in separate compartments. A wallet is usually carried by a man, and is normally just folding leather or fabric with a section for notes and slots for credit cards. Most men carry their coins in their pockets.

The main confusion does come from the fact that purse in AmE is handbag in BrE.