Dear Kelly,
I often carry a nice big leather tote bag to work, but I’m not sure it looks or feels right if I take it to happy hour drinks or an after-work dinner. I need all the space for my work stuff, so a smaller bag won’t do. What is the best way to go from work-day to evening?
Sincerely,
Nina
Portland, OR
Dear Nina,
You’ve hit on another pet peeve of mine: Women carrying giant bags in the evening! After all, isn’t that why evening bags were invented? Nothing is more of a hindrance when trying to socialize than a carrying around a heavy bag that weighs you down. Now, I am definitely not suggesting you need to arm yourself with a beaded satin bag at all times, but what I am saying is that SIZE MATTERS! And in the evening, a small bag is your best bet, both functionally and aesthetically.
Here’s how you do it without losing that space you need for your work items: Find yourself a nice small clutch bag that fits a makeup compact, some lip gloss, a credit card case, keys and a cell phone. You might like the Botkier Ruffle Clutch pictured above, or if you prefer something much less expensive, Target always has fun clutch bags like the one shown here.
Once you’ve selected an appropriate bag, put it INSIDE your tote bag EVERY DAY. You can even use it instead of a separate make up bag (that’s what I do). Then if you decide to go out for drinks or dinner after work, you just pull out your small bag and tuck away the large tote in the trunk of your car (or your desk drawer if you are sans car in a big city). Not only will you look more chic, but you won’t have to lug around a heavy bag all night! Trust me, you’ll definitely have more fun this way!
Kelly
