When you’re young, single, and living in a big city/any combination of the three, going out on the town becomes almost a ritualistic sport. There’s the classic text you receive in the group chat (you know, the one: “What are you wearing?!”), the carefully curated getting-ready playlist is second-most important to the carefully curated itinerary for the evening, and don’t forget the final step: the thoughtfully-chosen going-out bag.
The Makings of the Ideal Night-Out Bag
There are a few elements to consider when opting for the perfect going-out bag, which we need to discuss first. I’ll start out by stating the obvious; it must go well with your outfit. We’re not talking matchy/matchy, but rather the overall vibe of your bag should match the overall vibe of your outfit. That’s a given.
However, the most important, and I repeat, the most important, element to consider is comfort. As I said, going out, especially in major cities (though I personally can only speak to New York), can be a marathon, not a sprint. That being said, you want to make sure your bag can withstand being carried comfortably from quite possibly 9pm to 4am or, truthfully, even later. However, I’m not 25 anymore, so I try to block out the many afters I’ve attended (shutters with PTSD). Comfort is key.
To expand upon the marathon, not a sprint mentality, you want to ensure that your bag can hold the essentials, but just the essentials; you don’t want it to weigh you down. For me, that means my phone, a small card case with my ID/debit card, a mini Laura Mercier translucent power, a lip gloss, chapstick, hand sanitizer, and a hair clip. Not much more and not much less.
The Sleek Shoulder Bag
Recently, my views on the perfect bag to carry out and about have changed, which is what inspired me to write this post. In my early-mid-twenties, I preferred to be hands-free and strictly opted for a crossbody bag—Gucci’s SoHo Chain Disco and Marmont, both I’ve since sold, were some of my go-tos.
These days I find that I’m only opting for slim shoulder bags that sit nicely under my arm, though I’m not sure exactly why. Maybe it’s age (I find shoulder bags to be a bit sleeker), or maybe I feel more responsible with my belongings when I’m out, but I digress. The small silhouette holds my essentials but is too small that it can’t be stuffed and won’t weigh me down. Even though some of my shoulder bags don’t have a zip or flap, they sit close enough to my body that I feel secure wearing them because it would be impossible for someone to stick their hand inside. Conversely, my iPhone was swiped from my bag once wearing the Gucci Marmont in a crowded Brooklyn bar.
I’ve been favoring my Prada Cleo, Saint Laurent Le 5 à 7, and Louis Vuitton x Urs Fischer Pochette Accessoires. Still, if I were in the market for another shoulder bag to add to my going-out rotation, I would opt for one of the below.
What’s your go-to for a night out?
