How big is too big for a handbag for nights out?

[changeling82]

And should a handbag for nights out be smaller than your day time hand bag? I always seem to have so much stuff but don't want to look like I've got the kitchen sink with me. What can I get away with?

I want to know too. My one fancy evening bag is too small and useless.

I can usually fit things into a clutch sized bag. What are you taking with you?
I would take:
Phone
Keys
Tiny bit of makeup
Cash
(Also have an medical thing but it’s fairly small.)

I take:

make up (quite a lot)
glasses in bulky glasses case (in case I end up staying over at a friend's)
money (purse - usually bulky if anyone gives me lots of coins which is sometimes unavoidable)
perfume/deodorant
small hair brush
business cards
phone
ipod
makeup remover wipes
cotton buds
medication

Needless to say that won't fit in a clutch!

No that definitely won’t! Your list cracked me up. I think you can downsize a lot though:

Make up: cut down - do you actually stop and use everything you’ve bought with you?
Money: not in bulky purse. Save the purse and coins for shopping.
iPod: (iPod? iPod?! Is this 2004?!) Do you need to take an iPod on a night out?
Make up wipes: I assume these are for if you stay at a friends? Use theirs! (Or take a mini pack)
Cotton buds: Why??

I think anything that fits all that in is too big. I would cut down on the makeup, or at least slot it in loose rather than in a makeup bag, buy a slimline glasses case, use Spotify on your phone instead of the ipod. Typical night-out bags aren't usually big enough to double as overnight bags.

I generally try and stick to something smaller than an A4 sheet of paper (not necessarily a thin clutch).

Day bay v evening bag
1 full make up in a bag v compact and lipstick
Large wallet with every car imaginable v coin purse with driving license
Brush comb, clips and hair ties v folded brush with mirror
Phone charger v phone
Tissues wet wipes, toothbrush and toothpaste v tissue and chewing gum
House car and work keys V house and maybe car key
So yes a smaller bag but not too much smaller

I hadn't realised ipods had fallen out of use! Mine is tiny though, a nano, so it doesn't take up too much space. I tried using my phone for music before but I couldn't get it to work. I suppose I should try again.

I do actually use all the makeup - I quite often don't get it done in time so I finish doing it on the train in to town. And I need cotton buds for the eye makeup as I have strange shaped eyes that can only be corrected with a lot of smokey eye shadow! I might think about trying to find a less bulky bag though. A slimline glasses case would also be an idea. I probably have one somewhere to be honest....

Anything goes.

Yeah, I think evening bags are supposed to be all about the clutch which you can normally fit a card, bit of cash, keys phone, lipstick. That's about it really.
I like my day bags...

There’s your problem, you’re carrying lots of stuff because you’re travelling and getting ready on the train! If you’re going to a friend’s house, it would probably be easier for you to bring your stuff down in a handbag and just take a small clutch when out out? And dump the rest at your friends?

Do you stay at a friends every time you’re out? It seems like the lines are a bit blurred because you’re not just packing for a night out?

Lose the purse, just take a card holder or a zipped key/coin purse.

Perfume can be switched for a travel size or sample size - do you really need to reapply after you leave the house? Might be worth investing in a stronger perfume with bette performance.

Switch brush for a slim wide toothed comb, eg GHD detangler. Same performance but more compact.

With medication, you could just bring the actual tablets that you need for that tone period rather than the whole box/pack

I bought this last year, it can probably fit all that you carry and still pass as a clutch. The dimensions are on the linked website for you to reference for something similar in size!

You're carrying way too much stuff! I usually take out a small cross body bag which fits:
Phone
House keys
Lipstick
Small pressed powder compact & brush
Card holder (I don't take my full purse out)
Any loose coins I get given
Notes in an inside pocket
Portable phone charger and cable

And that does me fine!

I take small bag on nights out
Phone
Bank card
Emergency cash in zipped pocket
Lipstick
Small compact
House keys
+/- san pro

Leaving out my purse makes the biggest difference to space/weight.

Actually switching to a small bag for evenings has been a bit of a revelation as to how little I need. All my new day bags are pretty small.

I have many small bags.

Small zip purse that fits debit card, credit card and notes. No coins.
Phone
House key
Lipstick
Lipsalve
Tiny powder compact

That's it!

Payment card and cash in phone case.
Phone, door key and a tissue into pocket.
No bag needed.

I’m the weirdo that would totally feel uncomfortable in winter without somewhere to stash a hat or umbrella!

I take comb, repack a couple of wipes into small reusable containers. I have a sewing kit. A small cigar tin of tea and sugars. Allergy tablets and pain killers. Some plastic gloves in a kinder egg. A condensed purse. A spare kinder egg for change. In winter a Carmex tube. Phone. It all fits in a clutch.

I'd also say anything goes tbh. I'd take a big bag out with me, if I could be arsed bringing all that stuff with me. I don't think they look bad at all. It's just really annoying having to carry it around all night. I don't know how much make up you are bringing. Could you cut down? What exactly are you bringing other than cotton buds for smoky eyes?

You bring tea and sugar on a night out?? Isn't that something that's pretty readily available in places that serve drinks?

And...... plastic gloves???.... the mind boggles.....

Yep, nothing worse than shite tea, and waiting whilst someone goes to the back of the hotel from the function rooms for sugar ( or more commonly to replace brown sugar for tea as there are more people who settle for coffee at Charity Balls etc. ) Re gloves trained first Aider travelling In to London on public transport used them a few times to help in ‘unsanitary‘ situations. Maybe I should swap for latex and go to more interesting venues

I quite often just take a wristlet type purse out in the evening. Fits phone, small purse with one card and cash, party keys, lipstick, concealer, couple of tissues, tiny hairbrush. That’s all you need. I used to to lug around loads more makeup until I realised I can never actually be bothered to use it.

Wristlet, clutch or tiny bag. All I take = bank card, phone & a mini Mac lipstick.

But wait..... do you have to pay for the teapot of hot water then? Or do you get that free? Sorry, am very intrigued.

I generally bring a fairly medium sized bag out. I dislike clutches and reserve them strictly for weddings and Christmas parties. But the pub? Fuck that I'm bringing my ordinary cross body.

I actually don't put that much into it bar wallet/phone/keys/powder/old fashioned shitty plastic comb and lippie but I like the option of being able to shove my scarf in there. If I thought I'd have to walk a bit, I'd bring one big enough for ballet flats and wouldn't give two fucks tbh.

I recently bought this pouch www.longchamp.com/gb/en/products/pouch-34060619001.html for the very purpose of having something bigger than a clutch but smaller than a bag. With the concept that I could have all the essentials as above and use it going out to dinner, but fling it into a bigger bag during the day (like if I was away for the weekend for example).

It fits more than a clutch, I am very pleased. And is wipeable!