Night out bag for new student

[beadyboo]

DD is 18 and has just started uni in a big city. Swaths of students, including 2 of her flatmates, seem to be getting their phones stolen on nights out by professional thieves rather than opportunists. I’d like to get her a tiny bag to keep her phone and keys safe without looking like she’s wearing a kagool across her body!
Is there anything out there that looks ok for student nights out dancing and partying which is also secure?
thank you

What is she using currently? Does she just take her phone in hand/pocket?

What sort of thing would she wear on a night out? What's her style?

My DD had her ear bud things stolen from her handbag while in a club, so I bought her the Eastpak Buddy for uni nights out. Phone, keys and cards are a snug fit. Practical rather than attractive. I think there are even smaller phone bags in various styles available now, so something like that worn crossbody in front should make it harder for thieves.

Have you got a budget? Lauren Ralph Lauren do some nice little evening bags but my student daughter also has a Kate Spade one. TK Maxx have some nice crossbody bags from Dune & DKNY. River Island seem popular too.

I personally really like some of the bags All Saints do.

Tkmaxx is full of tiny cross body bags, bum bags and the like. Tell her to go there. Budget friendly!

I can't find the exact ones I have but I got something like this for my recent holiday:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Clips-Anti-Theft-Detachable-Connectors-Double-Sided/dp/B0DKXMH3VC/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?crid=1TNHH4CPRMGHI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.03sDPu5EChPTSx3b0XEKpT0etQMcPJeRrO9aCOrlpZ6vDDu4EGe8pyjR5G5Zk1YXSsaLy3UelDWp987FCYBUYmPN7kEbEy_SUy9eMgTgop2KqFB1fkeJohz5EBDjgUUtyV_kIJo6gbjwkYVdyENNwkxKoeo8t2IP8FehR8SmJV1sqp-bToZzEPIxlhUq5AwZvKaVhj27HcN16k_0HGcYc91PuWVxi24DPgFreTuOKu5kOUrRmFuCTqBsHc2RlmmHIxMCfpcO5F2m4-53JS5DWEM0sWERrBio1wdBBComZC8.TvS5j6DpDkvPNx1RikQbwGDGUmUwzWLVn6wO-RjnjPQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=ultimate+backpack+zipper+locks+-&qid=1760519143&sprefix=ltimate+backpack+zipper+locks+-%2Caps%2C81&sr=8-4-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

If there aren't 2 zips on the bag then you could add a loop with some elastic.

I wouldn’t buy an expensive bag for someone who’s worried about getting mugged - they may just take the whole thing!

As someone who had my phone stolen out of my bag on two separate occasions in my student days in London (a decade ago now...)

Any zippered crossbody bag with a secondary zippered pocket inside that's big enough for phone and keys will be great, hard to say what she'll think is cool! But ultimately the biggest factor is being vigilant and drinking less 🙈Tell her to be militant about always keeping the bag on her, closed, and at the front of the body.

She has something similar to this for dressier nights out at home, but she has always just shoved her phone in her pocket.
Im not particularly stylish but I’d thought of a small cross body type thing but most ones I’ve seen look like the type of bag I take on dog walks.

This probably doesn't have a separate zipped pocket inside, but she might like it? Bit of a dupe of a Prada bag and can also be worn on the shoulder www.asos.com/bershka/bershka-satin-crossbody-bag-with-chain-in-black/prd/209079435#colourWayId-209079439

Not sure if Carhartt is still cool with that age group, but this would be perfect for a sticky student union or a rave or festival!

www.carhartt-wip.com/en-gb/p/otley-shoulder-bag-black-683

That’s what bras are for, yes?

🤮🤮🤮

Depending on her style maybe something like this? Small caribiners are great for securing zips too.
Canvas Side Bag | Black – ForageDesign https://share.google/GUHQn8KmpYGdzLz07

I recommend these little Chelsea bags by Roka. I bought them for both my kids when we went on holiday. I have one too. Much easier to conceal under clothes.

https://rokalondon.com/search?q=chelsea&options%5Bprefix%5D=last

Ask her?
if she doesn’t like it she won’t use it.

Given your daughter clearly likes a smart bag when going out, I’d suggest the Osprey London Marlow Cross Body bag. It’s small - 19cm x 14cm x 4cm - but large enough for a mobile phone and it has several compartments and also comes in enough colours to ensure there’ll be one she likes.

A small purse bag from Valentino or something similar. Preferably with a chain so it can’t be cut through. Tell her to wear it across her body. That’s stylish now anyway

Agree that the small Roka Chelsea bag would be good: inside and outer pockets, sturdy and with a thick canvas strap that would be hard to cut. Reasonable price (just under £25) and available in many colours, some patterned.

Or there's the Mini Bag (not the Mini Round Shoulder Bag, though I'm a fan of that one too) from Uniqlo. It's one of their newer designs and can be worn in various ways. Just under £15.

Admittedly neither is dressy, but with her valuables safe in a small crossbody bag, she could still take a more fancy one for any larger items.

@butterdish93 Valentino? Do you mean Valentino Garavani? The ones with the chains are at least £1750. Not suitable for a student.

RL isn’t particularly desirable and much cheaper. I’d ask DD what everyone else has! Box bag with chain across body and no open top. Flap with secure catch is best.

@OhDear111
no! Valentino is a brand in its own right. It’s a designer brand but affordable. I’ve had Valentino bags for as little as 30 euros before.

I assume butterdish means Mario Valentino (founded in 1952 as opposed to Valentino Garavani which was founded in 1960.

@butterdish Ah yes. I’ve found them at House of Fraser. They are not THE Valentino but you do see them everywhere. Good value and do the job.

Pom Pom London would be my tip. Really fabulous little bags.

My DDs and all their mates swear by the Uniqlo crossbody bum bags.

Was about to suggest a Forage hip bag! They are secure, sturdy & you can dance freely whilst wearing one. They come in different styles & materials.