Personal protective devices have a carrying bag, such as a purse, and a separate bullet resistant vest or penetration resistant (to stab wounds) vest comprises at least one neck sling and at least one torso strap. The bullet/penetration resistant vest is dimensioned to removably fit within the carrying bag. The carrying bags are configured to provide a “ready state” wherein a bullet resistant shield and neck sling are within the carrying bag while at least a connector attached to the end of a deployable torso strap(s) is outside of the carrying bag. The carrying bag has at least one slot designed to allow the torso strap(s) to be pre-fed from the interior of the carrying bag to a position exterior of the carrying bag. In this “ready state”, the majority of the torso strap is maintained within the interior of the carrying bag. The neck sling and torso straps are deployable to secure the vest to a wearer's torso in the deployed position.