How to Pack Your Clutch for Any Occassion

I don't want to brag, but I'm pretty much a purse-packing pro. I've got it down to a science, and I could pack my bag for work in my sleep. But when it comes to going out at night, I never used to know what to bring. One time before a date I tried to fit a cordless curling iron into a tiny evening clutch (crazy, I know) ... the clasp broke off and everything scattered to the ground. It was a mess and I was left desperately wishing for a Mary Poppins-esque expanding bag.


My main problem: evening clutches are more glamorous and glittery than my day purses, but they're also lower on space. And while enormous, stash-your-entire-life-in-them bags are perfectly acceptable during the day, they're kinda awkward at night. So if you're a notorious heavy packer too and don't know what to bring in your clutch after 8 p.m., no worries. I've simplified things and created the ultimate guide to packing your evening purse.

Out Dancing

When you're in the mood to dance, you don't want to deal with a clunky purse, so choose a slim envelope bag with a chain so you have the option of holding it like a clutch or wearing it over your shoulder as you make a b-line for the dance floor.

As for your makeup, dancing is one of the few times when you can go heavy on the glitter. Bring some all-over shimmer and a glitzy lip gloss in bright red or pink. Dancing under the strobe lights can leave you slightly sweaty, so bring some oil blotting papers to keep you fresh-faced. And when your favorite guilty pleasure song comes on, you don't want to be stuck on the sidelines because your feet are killing you. Pack some extra heel inserts so you can dance well past last call.

The Essentials:

• Foot Petal Heel Inserts, £4.66
• ELF Oil Blotting Sheets, £1.50
• Stila All-Over Shimmer, £14
• Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector, £13.60

Dinner Date

It might be tempting to bring a ton of stuff on a first date, but you don't want to deal with toting around a ginormous bag, so stick to a compact black purse with gold or silver detailing. Other than breath mints, you only need a few key products for a dinner date.

Typically perfume isn't clutch-friendly, but roll-on fragrances are slim and perfect for stashing in your tiny purse. You want to focus more on the convo than reapplying makeup, so bring a lip stain that will stay put from drinks to dessert. Last but not least, don't forget the floss. You don't want to be stuck in the bathroom trying to get that glob of spinach out of your teeth with a business card. Ew.

The Essentials:

• Revlon Lip Stain and Balm, £1.99
• Pacifica Perfumes French Lilac Roll-On Fragrance , £12.95
• Oral-B Floss, £4.10

Drinks With Your Girlfriends

A neon pink wristlet will hold a few important beauty products, so it's the perfect accessory when you're heading to a wine bar for a fun but laid-back evening with a group of girlfriends.

If you're meeting up with friends right after work, your hair might be looking a little tired, so bring a mini hairbrush. A blush that comes in a handy stick form is fantastic because it's super portable. Avoid lipstick smudges on your wine glass, and bring a long-lasting lip color in a nude or soft pink.

The Essentials:

• Goody Mini Hairbrush, £3
• ELF All Over Colour Stick, £1.50
• Stila Long Wear Lip Color, £13

Formal Wedding

For a super fancy wedding, skip the straps and go for a glittery gold clutch. Weddings can be marathon events, so here's what you need to get you through the whole night.

Avoid an awkward wardrobe malfunction in your strapless cocktail dress and bring some fashion tape to keep everything in place. Mascara may not fit in your clutch, so go for a mini tube, and a two-in-one blush and lipstick duo is a genius space-saver. Weddings are a fabulous excuse to wear your hair in a fancy updo, but you'll want some extra bobby pins to keep things looking polished and put together.



The Essentials:

• Hollywood Fashion Tape, £5.99
• Benetint Pocket Pal, £15.50
• Goody Hair Pins, £2.25 for pack of 48
• Fresh Mini Mascara Duo, £15.93

Movies

Going to the movies entails sitting in a dark room for three hours, so no need to bring a massive primping kit. Other than money for tickets and popcorn, you'll just want to have a few low-fuss products.

Skip the red lipstick and instead bring along a clear lip balm, and if the movie starts to lag a little, kill some time by moisturizing your hands with a mini scented hand cream. Popcorn kernel stuck in your tooth driving you crazy? Check out the situation with a light-up compact mirror.

The Essentials:

• Jack Black Lip Balm, £7.25
• Lollia Mini Hand Cream, £7.50
• Light-Up Compact Mirror, £3

Concert

A crossbody bag is the perfect music festival purse, because you want to have easy access to your bag but also have your hands free. Choose a canteen-style round purse with a colorful design to stash your concert essentials.

After an hour of swaying to the music, you'll want to put on a pretty braided headband to keep your hair out of your face. And concerts can get a little grimy, so pack some scented towelettes in case somebody spills a drink on you. Combat a post-concert headache by packing pain relievers for the drive home.

The Essentials:

• Urban Outfitters Headband, £12
• Soap & Glory Cleansing Wipes, £4.50
• 4Head Stick for Headaches, £3.70

Sporting Event

If you're going to a game, you'll want to bring a purse that can withstand some wear and tear. Opt for materials like faux leather or plastic -- something that you don't mind placing on the sticky, semi-gross stadium floor.

Whether you're headed to a basketball or baseball game, don't worry much about your makeup routine. Pull your hair up in a high pony with a cute hair tie, dab on some tinted lip gloss, and you're all set. But don't forget the hand sanitizer -- sports games can get a little grimy.

The Essentials:

• Trevor Sorbie Black Hair Ties, £3.09
• Soap & Glory Antibacterial Hand Gel, £2.50
• Kiehl's Tinted Lip Balm, £9.50






So pack wisely and you'll be all set for whatever comes your way.
Have a great day!

xoxo,
Angelique