These handy little pouches are by the Japanese brand Delfonics, which I discovered in the mall underneath the Louvre when I was in Paris around ten years ago. I throw all the smaller things that gather at the dark bottom my bag—Tide pens, lip balms, hand sanitizers—into one of these, and presto, no more digging endlessly in my purse for some elusive but necessary item. This is probably the oldest trick in the book, but I just discovered it, so there you go.
I like the pouches to be bright so they’re readily visible, and this set from Baggu is just the cutest.
And if you’re feeling splurgy, you could go for a neon-bright Comme des Garcons number like this one.
Organize my purse? Hee, hee, you’re funny.
I do the same! Unfortunately I love medium-to-small bags and in reality I am a large-to-huge bag person. I bought my beloved camera bag before I started toting reading glasses around everywhere and just that one addition made it so just-so that anytime I need anything I have to take three things out in order to reach it, then assemble everything just-so again. My next bag will just be a massive sack filled with my little pouches and be done with it.
In my case, reading glasses AND sun glasses. Argh.
And tissues for my perpetually runny nose ! (So attractive, I know.)
I toggle between these two polarities, myself!!
Walker Bags ladies! they are colorful, sturdy and SEE THRU MESH, so you don’t have to remember is this one Lip balm pencils and CBD roll on, and this one extra mask, eye drops, hand san and sample size Supergoop?
I have learned that the various MESH pouches that Ive picked up over the years are my favorite. Somehow I have pink Issac Misrahi for Target and IKEA ones. I can see the computer wires in the pink one, pencils and office supplies in a red one, etc.
(https://www.amazon.com/Multipurpose-Cosmetic-Makeup-Travel-Organizers/dp/B071JTTSLW/ref=asc_df_B071JTTSLW?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80401840125124&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584001427489446&psc=1. )The resist dirt, are WAY better that ziploc bags. Also LeSportsac 3-zip makeup bags are nice to keep “touchup makeup” handy (https://www.lesportsac.com/search?q=3-zip+cosmetic&type=product)
I bought a bag organizer for my Neverfull & a smaller version of it for my handbags. It has been the greatest thing ever. No more pawing through to find things!
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07SBGW6XX?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
I have this kick-ass pouch from Everlane in my tote bag right now. I LOVE it. https://www.everlane.com/products/womens-renew-catchall-case-nutria-beech?locale=US&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=pla-google-pmax&utm_campaign=17864885661&utm_content=&utm_term=&adgroup=&pid=11820-88502&device=m&gclid=CjwKCAjw3K2XBhAzEiwAmmgrAtZEmtEZJ_kH5s0bY8jsgxZVXAE-XcR6fVlgbxDaryfmWymQU7UGcRoCVFAQAvD_BwE
Nearly all the colors are sold out, except red! Obviously, all of us messy purse people thought this was a brilliant idea. I recently bought a little zipper pouch to hold ID and other cards, but thanks to this, I’ve ordered another one from Etsy for all the lip balms and eyeliner pencils that apparently fall through the dark hole at the bottom of my purse.
I got one of these: https://www.etsy.com/listing/947306062/rifle-paper-co-fabric-zipper-pouch-coin?click_key=663e5f0f49d7ca5003b51a9cd0e81efa0f53df06%3A947306062&click_sum=ee486061&ref=shop_home_active_11&crt=1&sts=1
Just ordered 2. I am trying to both go smaller and be more organized.
I have organizers, pouches, mini clutches, pockets, etc., and yet I still can’t find anything in my bag.
I am looking into maybe getting some of those clips, so I can hang things off the strap. Or maybe I will just start wearing a strap with a bunch of things hanging off it. Oh dear!
Well, ladies, if you find yourself with knee or hip problems that won’t go away, ask yourself if you’ve spent 30 years carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder. If you stop doing that, your body will thank you. I now wear a small Coach crossbody bag that holds only my wallet, phone, lip balm and keys (two). My hip has improved considerably. Granted, I live where you drive everywhere you go, so it’s easy to keep the extras in the car, but my “pack mule” days are over. If you’re carrying a large bag, your companions will put their stuff in there, too. (There’s a metaphor there, I’m sure.)
I just use mesh zip bags from Container Store or Ikea. One in the handbag for makeup and pharmacy, and a bunch that stay packed for travel (tech, pens, sewing, first aid, etc).
The Etsy shop Kim links to for the Delfonics pouches carries Traveler’s Notebook stuff, and if you’re a fool for paper products and notebooks and such the way I am, and also like the peculiar soulfulness of Japanese aesthetics, well, this is the rabbit hole for you! Also here: https://travelerscompanyusa.com/
I used to Try to find bags with little pockets to hold each thing but remembering where things went was a pain, as was switching bags. I tried those bag inserts and everything fell out of them. Then I just got a cosmetic bag for my makeup and a big pouch for everything else. I throw these, keys and a hairbrush in my giant bag and ready to go. I’ve also found I almost NEVER use any of the stuff in the big pouch. But I’m still keeping it for security blanket factor. I also recently found and LOVE this cosmetic bag. https://www.lesportsac.com/products/3-zip-cosmetic I can now keep Bobby pins, bandaids, etc. separate from actual makeup …. Much less fumbling.
I’ve only carried small cross-body bags that I could either wear along with my work backpack (HANDS FREE & MINIMIZING BACK/SHOULDER PAIN from unequal weight carrying is important now) or I can put it inside the backpack. Now doing the same with belt bags (EVEN MORE HANDS-FREE). Taking to carrying belt bag last 3 years and adding a tote bag when I need to (for water bottle, MacBook, Kindle). Now that my kid is older, I don’t want to carry the world any more. This way, I can still flexibly add, as needed. Just plop the belt/bum bag into the tote.
I did get a very cute, inexpensive set of travel pouches in gray felt from Ikea. I use these to carry different tech accessories for work or travel — ear buds, different apple cords, adapters, emergency power bank (just in case).
I am a fan of the ladies at Party in my Pants but have become specifically dependent on their little zip bags for purse organization. https://partypantspads.com/collections/extras/products/pixie-cotton-totes
100% here for pouch content. I do the same thing for work and travel (well, when I traveled in the before times more frequently). Discovered this set via J.Crew Factory and they have a Liberty print vibe without the Liberty price point. Perfect to stow away my new fave Kosas lippie in Royal. Thanks for your awesome content, Kim.
https://factory.jcrew.com/p/womens/categories/accessories/bags/pouches/canvas-pouches-set-of-three/BK510?display=standard&fit=Classic&color_name=tranquil-blue-ivory&colorProductCode=BK510
All of these are cute! I have a couple of Cath Kidston pouches I picked up in London (oh yeah, you know I love typing that lol), which I like because they’re plastic-y. They definitely make big tote-like bags usable, and they’re also great for travel, especially airplanes, so you’re not breaking your neck rummaging in your under-seat carry on.
I just bought one of these and I love it! Got it in the mini size and it fits in everything. And everything I use fits in it – wallet, lippie, bits and bobs of the stuff I never need until I need it, plus my keys and it is sturdy without being too rigid. Game changer. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TLMYDHH?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Small pouches for purse or travel are life necessities as I age. Those Delfonics look pretty darn perfect and one can never go wrong with Baggu. Hummm….
Madewell has great small accessories and they are often on sale. I also love the baggu zip bags which are washable and come in a ton of sizes and patterns. I just spent a few days in a hotel with my teen sons and while my bag was loaded with mini pouches full of various things they both packed only deodorant and a razor.