The Best Going-Out Bag Is Not an Actual Going-Out Bag
It started off as a joke in the Strategist-staff Slack channel: Marni Kids purses, which are often marked down on Ssense, might actually be better than Marni purses for adults (in no small part because they have a much lower price tag). That led us to look at other retailers’ kids’-purse sections, where we found that J.Crew Crewcuts offers plenty of coin purses that could double as clutches. And soon we discovered that there are a lot of things — like pencil cases, cosmetic pouches, and so-called lunchboxes — that aren’t technically going-out bags, but would make nice going-out bags all the same. Plus they’re cheaper than what’s branded as an “evening bag,” usually. I hunted down a bunch here, from the little “lunch bag” that’s made with the same lace as Catbird’s window curtains to Boy Scout sash from Sandy Liang that comes zippered.
Updated on May 15, 2025
We checked to make sure all of these bags are still available (and removed a few that sold out). Several of our picks are on sale right now, including the Valentino Cosmetic Bag, the Bembien Pouchette, and the Vera Bradley Cosmetic Bag.
New! You can now save this product for later.
As seen in actress Annabelle Dexter-Jones’s tour of the nearly century-old Upper East Side pharmacy.
New! You can now save this product for later.
The striped velvet feels right out of an Italian furnishings store.
New! You can now save this product for later.
… Or there’s a Valentino one on sale at the RealReal (the satin’s in good condition).
New! You can now save this product for later.
In lieu of a pen, put your eyebrow pencil in there.
[Editor’s note: Seletti lists its prices in euros, so this is an approximation to dollars.]
New! You can now save this product for later.
It’s available in many My Little Pony colors: cotton candy, banana, periwinkle, grape, peach, flamingo, avocado, or bubblegum.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Channel your inner Jane Birkin (before the Birkin).
New! You can now save this product for later.
As the brand says, a “home for forest-dwelling creatures and little animals”… or your credit cards.
New! You can now save this product for later.
During every Ssense sale, the Strategist team marvels at the Marni Kids purses, which might be better than the Marni Adult ones …
New! You can now save this product for later.
… As are J.Crew Crewcuts coin purses, which will fit your phone and an ID.
New! You can now save this product for later.
The measurement of “sunglasses size” comes out to about the same as AirPods, breath mints, and a wad of cash.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Technically for travel-size toiletries, it should fit your tubes of lip gloss just fine.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Because of the carré weave, it seems like a regular ol’ Bembien bag at half the price.
New! You can now save this product for later.
If you hadn’t heard, a Vera Bradley comeback is in the works. (But who would ever guess this is a Vera Bradley?)
New! You can now save this product for later.
Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo walked down the aisle carrying this little “lunch bag” (which is made with the same lace as Catbird’s window curtains).
New! You can now save this product for later.
It comes with a traditional kiss-lock closure that your grandmother’s handbag has.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Bring it to barre class and then a Balanchine show.
New! You can now save this product for later.
There’s a tulle-trimmed “tutu” at Bloch for tiny dancers — and big dancers.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Everything in here should be very secure with the zippered compartments, grosgrain lining, and glittered ribbon. (You can get it monogrammed for an additional fee.)
[Editor’s note: The jewelry roll Ambar originally recommended is currently out of stock, but this bag is a similar style from the same brand.]
New! You can now save this product for later.
Zara Jewel Bag
Courtesy of Zara Kids comes something seemingly from a deleted scene of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Charlotte would’ve been carrying it to a brunch with Carrie, Miranda, and Samantha.
New! You can now save this product for later.
The official Boy Scout sash doesn’t even come with a zipper!
New! You can now save this product for later.
This shouldn’t only be sitting pretty on your bathroom shelf next to the toothbrush.
New! You can now save this product for later.
You can check if there’s lipstick on your teeth with a mirror on one side.
New! You can now save this product for later.
It’s in the same family as the Mini Rodini satin dachshund from last year’s print Strategist Gift Issue.
New! You can now save this product for later.
If you missed out on the Target x Lego collaboration.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Much cheaper than a re-edition Prada Re-Nylon. Plus you can clip it onto a belt loop to keep your keys close.
New! You can now save this product for later.
So say the designers behind Brigitte Tanaka: It’s a commentary on our consumer society, playing on the plastic shopping bag (by way of a caviar tin).
New! You can now save this product for later.
New! You can now save this product for later.
It’s a lighter holder-cigarette case that’ll “pocket your smoke-break necessities,” too.
New! You can now save this product for later.
There’s a miniature version that fits inside for another pocket.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Laila Gohar’s grandmother sewed those bows, supposedly.
New! You can now save this product for later.
A trick-or-treat basket, a wine tote for an after-hours Halloween party, or a cauldron for your tarot cards and sage sticks.
More From The Strategist
- Hark, the Advent Calendars Arrived (Very) Early This Year
- The Best Things Strategist Editors Have Bought This Year (So Far)
- 63 Things You Should Never Buy Full Price
- The Strategist Fall 100
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
