Today, I am turning back the clock and writing a classic what’s in my bag post. If you have been around the blogging world for a very long time, you will know these posts absolutely dominated the internet back in the early 2010s. Honestly, I do not think there was a single blogger alive in 2013 that did not aggressively empty the contents of their handbag onto a bedspread and photograph it from above.
And quite frankly, I loved every second of it.
There was something weirdly comforting about being nosy and seeing what people carried around daily. Granted, I am sure many people strategically removed the slightly embarrassing items before photographing everything. But personally? I always loved the chaos. So today, we are pretending for five minutes that life is simpler, responsibilities do not exist, and our biggest concern is what another woman carries inside her handbag.
Bag Liner
Because I carry luxury handbags, one thing I always use is a bag liner. And honestly, once you start using them, there is no going back.
Firstly, I like knowing the inside of my bags stays protected and immaculate, especially considering how expensive designer bags are these days. But beyond that, they make organisation infinitely easier. I used to spend an embarrassing amount of time digging around inside my Louis Vuitton Neverfull like Mary Poppins searching for a lipstick buried somewhere at the bottom. The liner keeps everything structured and stops me losing my sanity daily.
Wallet
My Mulberry wallet was one of the first luxury accessories I ever properly invested in, and to this day I still adore it.
The funniest part is that my nan was actually the person who pushed me into buying it. Years ago, she looked at the sad, falling-apart wallet I was carrying and basically questioned why I owned designer handbags while carrying something that looked like it had survived a small war. And honestly? She had a point. Within hours I was online buying my Mulberry wallet and I have never looked back since.
Mask and Hand Sanitiser
The pandemic really did a number on my OCD brain. Even now, despite things returning to normal in many ways, I still feel more comfortable carrying sanitiser and a mask with me at all times.
If I am somewhere crowded or feeling slightly anxious, throwing on a mask still gives me a small sense of control and comfort. Especially because I still regularly see vulnerable family members, I think those habits just became deeply ingrained into my routine. And honestly, I cannot imagine ever fully becoming one of those people who casually touches public door handles without immediately sanitising afterwards.
Sunglasses
Whether I am hiding from the sun or from actual human interaction, sunglasses are absolutely essential.
My current favourites are my Saint Laurent Cat Eye Sunglasses, which I have owned for years now and still love just as much. They are timeless, oversized, and give exactly the level of “please do not perceive me” energy I look for in a good pair of sunglasses.
iPad Pro and iPhone
I used to drag my huge MacBook Pro around everywhere for work, and honestly, I do not know how my shoulders survived it.
Nowadays, my iPad Pro does almost everything I need. Between work, this site, freelance projects, and writing my novels, I rely heavily on cloud-based systems and digital organisation. My iPad allows me to work flexibly without carrying around what essentially felt like a small television in my handbag. And naturally, my phone is practically attached to my body at all times too.
Small Makeup Bag
Because I wear makeup most days, I always carry a few essentials with me for touch-ups throughout the day.
Nothing too excessive, just enough to rescue myself if necessary. Normally that includes powder, lip balm, a compact cream foundation, and lash glue because my hay fever makes my eyes water like I am starring in a tragic romance film for approximately six months of the year. Preparation is key.
Keys
This one probably feels obvious, but over the years I have dramatically simplified my key situation.
I used to carry keys for absolutely everything imaginable, but I quickly realised all they did was scratch my belongings and create constant rattling noises that irritated me beyond belief. Now I keep it minimal. Car key, house key, and my Louis Vuitton keyring. Simple, practical, and significantly less chaotic.
AirPods
I genuinely do not think I could function properly without music.
Whether I am working, shopping, walking, or simply trying to mentally survive a busy day, music helps regulate my mood massively. And honestly, my AirPods are probably one of the best tech purchases I have ever made. I also love how discreet they are. Nothing feels more professional than silently listening to your emotional support playlist while pretending to answer emails calmly.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, there is something quite nostalgic about writing a what’s in my bag post again. These kinds of posts really were the foundation of old-school blogging, and I weirdly love that they still feel comforting all these years later.
There is nothing particularly groundbreaking inside my handbag, just the everyday essentials that help me feel organised, comfortable, and prepared for whatever chaos the day throws at me. And while my bag may look polished on the outside, internally it is essentially a survival kit curated by an anxious, overprepared woman with a mild luxury handbag addiction.
As always, I would love to hear from you. What are the absolute essentials you always carry in your handbag, and what is the strangest thing you have ever discovered lurking at the bottom of it?
