Video summary

What's in My Bag and Handbag Etiquette

Main summary

Key takeaways

Lifestyle

Handbag etiquette + lifestyle tips (key takeaways)

Bag types & how to carry them

  • Tote / shopping bag (for busy moms, errands, travel)

    • Large/voluminous, lightweight, easy for carrying baby items
    • Wear over your shoulder when not around people
    • In crowds / airports / boarding, carry in your hand to avoid bumping people

  • Backpack (for errands, walking, hiking; keeps hands free)

    • Wear with both shoulder straps to distribute weight evenly (especially with heavy items)
    • If lightweight, you can carry it over one shoulder

  • Belt bag / fanny pack (small but practical)

    • Worn around the waist
    • Keeps essentials close: phone, wallet, documents
    • Hands stay free

  • Shoulder bag (work + casual meetings/dining)

    • Worn on the left shoulder
    • If carrying with smaller straps/forearm, it can rest on the forearm with fingers facing upward
    • Rule of thumb: keep the right hand free for waving/handshakes

  • Crossbody bag

    • Worn across the body
    • Convenient because hands are free and documents are at your side

  • Clutch (strapless; more formal but can vary)

    • Typically held in the left hand (or forearm), leaving the right hand free
    • Options:
      • Hold with one hand to show manicure/nails
      • Or gently wrap to hide nails
    • Do not tuck it under your armpit (hygiene and appearance)

“Three bag” essentials she recommends

  • Tote / shopper for running around (daytime/errands)
  • Shoulder bag for work and casual dining/meetings
  • Clutch for occasions from day to evening

These three cover most situations.

Choosing bag size based on appearance

  • If you’re small/medium height or have a bigger complexion: choose a smaller/medium bag
  • If you’re tall and slender: you can choose larger/bulkier bags

Where to place your bag (restaurant/casual dining etiquette)

  • If there’s an empty chair next to you: place the bag there
  • In some fine dining places: use a hook or a designated stand/chair
  • In casual dining:
    • If the chair is too small, place it under your chair but out of sight
    • Keep it not in the waiter’s way and away from reach of others

Royal bag “etiquette signals” (Queen Elizabeth)

  • Favorite/featured designer: Loewe (various sizes/colors)
  • How she uses it to communicate:
    • Transfers the bag from one forearm to the other to signal she’s tired of a conversation
    • Places the bag on the dinner table to indicate she wants to leave (not standard etiquette, but intentional signaling)
  • She carries it on her left forearm to keep the right hand free for formal greetings (wave/handshake)
  • Note: her bag is said to match her shoes
  • She also carries a small bag hook used at formal dining to hang her bag

Keeping your bag clean + organized (hygiene-first)

  • Zip/keep your bag closed when not in use for a more “organized” look
  • Use Ziploc bags to:
    • Separate categories of items
    • Prevent spills
    • Make moving items between bags quick and tidy
  • Use dust bags (from other bags, sunglasses dust bags) to:
    • Store items you don’t want others to see while rummaging
    • Help keep the bag cleaner/organized

When storing bags

  • Remove Ziplocs and contents
  • Put the bag inside a dust bag with extra paper/liners to maintain shape

Travel tips for keeping form

  • Roll T-shirts/socks and pack them into the bag to keep structure
  • Store the bag inside a dust bag, then place it in luggage
  • For delicate bags: carry it inside a larger bag rather than in luggage

“What’s inside my bag” (everyday carry list)

  • Sanitary/personal items (not specified fully)

    • Ziploc organizer for personal hygiene
    • Comb
    • Face & eye wipes
    • Hand cream
    • Hair clip
    • Hand sanitizer (and sanitizes kids’ hands too)
    • Chewing gum
    • Eucalyptus essential oil
    • Face mask and gloves

  • Stationery Ziploc

    • Headphones
    • Pen
    • Rose quartz crystal (used to feel grounded when anxious/stressed)

  • Sunglasses

    • Sunglass pouch also reused for other sanitary items

  • Notebook

    • For notes, thoughts, and doodling
    • Carried in a sock to keep it clean
    • She also uses it as a social tool: meeting new people and gifting it to start conversations

Notable locations/products/speakers

  • Speaker: Jamila Musayeva (social etiquette consultant; author of Etiquette: The Least You Need To Know)
  • Designer/royal references: Loewe (Queen Elizabeth’s bag); Queen Elizabeth II (bag signals and matching bag/shoes)
  • Products/organizers mentioned: Ziploc bags, dust bags, hand sanitizer, eucalyptus essential oil, sunglasses pouch, notebook, comb, face/eye wipes, rose quartz crystal, headphones, pen.

Original video