You can tell a lot about a man by his shoes, but you can tell even more about a woman by her purse – and what’s in it.

No one knows this better than handbag and accessories designer Kate Spade, who, along with husband/co-worker Andy, explores this idea in a new book called “Contents.”

Part photo album, part sociological project, “Contents” explores the often messy, always revealing insides of 46 women’s handbags. In the book, the contents of each woman’s purse are photographed and listed, along with their occupations, but not their names.

On the last few pages, each purse’s “owner” is revealed.

“Contents,” printed in a limited-edition, hard-bound version, is available now at Kate Spade stores for $70, but The Post is offering a sneak preview for free.

See if you can match these four famous New Yorkers with the items in their pocketbooks.

Tama Janowitz, writer

Nina Griscom, writer/television host

Mary Boone, art dealer

Helen Gurley Brown, former editor of Cosmopolitan magazine

HANDBAG A

Gold roman emperor’s head billfold with crisp bills (gift from her close friend, Liz Smith; she’s in “constant terror of losing it”)

Two leopard-print tissues

Lancome Flamelle Lipstique

Gale Hayman Hot Coral lipstick

White lace handkerchief (gift from Georgette Klinger)

Burgundy leather note pad holder

Clear coin purse, door key, oral hygiene implement and several quarters (for when she takes the bus)

U.S. flag Estee Lauder compact

HANDBAG B

Orange and gold Cartier ball point pen

Green leather Hermes Post-It holder and agenda with gold-edged paper

Lime green alligator wallet

Lime green Nokia cellular phone

Two yellow leather Hermes eyeglass cases with green leather straps

Chanel Cognac and Aqua Crayon color sticks

Light blue Morgenthal-Frederics sunglasses

HANDBAG C

L’Occitane Soin Protecteur Nourrissant SPF 10

Black nylon Convenient Goods pencil case (contents unknown)

Edinburgh International Book Festival 12-28 August brochure (she’s going to attend)

Black Louis Vuitton address book with silver pen

Paperback: “Vladimir Nabokov de Kleine Biografie” (sent to her by journalist Guus Luijters)

One nickel

Three one-dollar bills

Two pictures of her daughter

L’Oreal Berry Brulee lipstick

HANDBAG D

Blue Uni-Ball Fine pen

Origins Eye Doctor cream

Faux maroon Filofax

Turquoise leather Hermes credit card holder, note pad holder, cosmetic case, sunglasses case with leather strap, wallet

Rembrandt Original Mint Drops

Conair wooden brush

Tortoise QVC Ivana Trump glasses (taken during recent visit to Ivana’s)

Premier Digital Voice Stick 200

Nars Triple X lip gloss

Answers: A) Helen Gurley Brown; B) Mary Boone; C) Tama Janowitz; D) Nina Griscom