The modern woman knows the contents of her purse contributes to boosting her sophistication. Hence she goes the extra mile to toss some essentials in before heading out.
Being a classy woman goes beyond looking the part. It also entails being prepared for any situation one might run into while running about the day’s work.
One way a woman could be prepared at all times is by carrying the right items in her purse. It’s no coincidence that most celebrity in-person interviews end with the question, “what’s in the bag?”
Not only does having these purse essentials make you the woman who has it all together, but it also gives you a sense of fulfillment and safety; one you can never get from simply having your cell phone, car keys, and credit card stashed in your purse.
1. Blotting Papers
One can’t overstress the usefulness of absorbent sheets to a lady. From being convenient to ward off the excess oil on your face to wipe off the sweat without ruining your makeup, blotting papers are the way to go.
Have these sheets handy, or at least some baby wipes to ensure you always look your best on those rough days. They pay better than plain old tissue rolls and you need not worry about crumbled pieces sticking to your face.
2. Hand Sanitizer
Covid or not, every girl needs her hand sanitizers as it’s the perfect way to stay healthy. It could double as a hand cream too on those days when your hands are threatening to become dried out from too many bathroom visits.
This is especially true for variants with Vitamin E or a moisturizing agent. That way, you could avoid the extra baggage by leaving the hand cream at home any day and still have moisturized palms. A two-in-one package? Yes, please.
3. Card Holders
Just because the world operates an automated system! Almost everything is controlled by microchips imprinted on automated cards.
From access cards and IDs to health insurance and credit cards, these cards come in handy on a daily. What better way to keep them all within reach than arranging them in one tiny pouch marketed as cardholders?
This not only keeps you organized but also ensures you have it all together, always. Who knows when you might run into a traffic stop, need to give out a business card, or drop by at a mall where you have accumulated loyalty points?
The last thing you want to do is scramble through your giant handbag in search of your loyalty card at the cash point.
4. A Water Bottle
Everyone needs to stay hydrated at all times and it’s a hassle to walk into a store every time you feel hydrated. It is also a pain to depend on the public water dispensers as they are not always health-friendly.
A classy woman knows how important staying hydrated is and hence goes around with her own water supply as a purse essential. When the size of the bag doesn’t permit, always have one in the car. This could be a lifesaver in the nick of time.
5. Lip Balm
Say goodbye to chapped lips by having a lip balm handy at all times. This is a purse essential every modern woman swears by, as it enables one’s lips to stay moisturized, soft, and supple no matter how long you’ve been out on a windy day.
6. Safety Pins
Fixing a broken bra hook, fixing loose sleeves, temporarily joining detached sandal straps, replacing a loose button, or appearing less slutty on a V-neck, the safety pin always comes to the rescue.
Seeing as these fashion emergencies and wardrobe malfunctions always happen unawares, it is safe to be prepared by having safety pins in your purse at all times. Even celebrities, including Chrissy Teigen, have had to turn to this fashion hero on the red carpet.
7. Mad Money
As much as we’d like to believe we operate a cashless economy, it doesn’t hurt to have some raw cash on hand. Most people advise having the highest currency denomination of whatever country you find yourself stored away somewhere in your purse.
This can save you when you least expect it. At least, when the credit card fails, there’d always be enough cash somewhere to convey you to the nearest bank or back home. It’s called mad money for a reason!
Plus, a few lower denominations here and there would save you the awkwardness of having no money on hand to tip an expectant serviceman.
Of course, other items could also save you on a rainy day and make good additions to a lady’s purse. For instance, a charger would ensure you never get disconnected unawares, and a can of pepper spray can do wonders when warding off predators provided the country deems it legal.
Toilet paper, tampons, band-aids, and aspirin also make for great purse essentials. However, when it comes down to choosing only the most essential, perhaps due to space constraints or limited supply, the above seven are our top picks.