Firing this thread up again because it has been incredibly helpful so far.
This may be a silly question, but I was just wondering what type of hangbag/bag would be appropriate to bring into the office for vacation schemes? What colours, what styles, how big, what to avoid (if anything) etc. Another potentially silly question (probably me overthinking) but what should we bring with us in the bag, what are your go to everyday essentials that are needed to be brought from home?
If you are buying a handbag, there is no need to get anything expensive: most of the high street stores (Zara, Mango, Stories, etc etc) will have a good selection of work-appropriate bags that won't cost a fortune but will help you feel professional, in pleather, leather or a textile. Go for black, navy or beige (you can also get away with red if you are feeling bold). If you are in London/on public transport, I'd strongly recommend a small to medium-sized crossbody bag that you don't need to open to find your phone/travelcard if possible. It's so easy to be pickpocketed if you are in a new routine. If the bag doesn't have an accessible outside pocket then maybe find a way to organise it so you aren't vulnerable. But if you have all your basics strapped to you in the crossbody then you can relax.
If you choose a tote bag to carry your water, lunch, heels etc then I'd recommend finding something with a zip as again, it's easy to drop things. Like
@Jessica Booker, I'd recommend a backpack, particularly if you need to carry a laptop/ipad. But you don't need to shell out if you have something that will do. No one is going to hire you or not (at this stage) based on how your luggage looks, but being well-organised is worth investing some time in.
In terms of contents, in my small bag I have phone and headphones, wallet, work ID badge, tissues, hand sanitiser, a glass nail file, pens, a mini notebook/post-its and a Muji zip pochette for a tampon, hair clip, basic emergency makeup, painkillers, USB (this can be really useful, and it's so annoying if you don't have one when you need it), safety pins (who needs a clothing emergency?), sample perfumes, a plaster or two. I also carry foam earplugs as I like to be able to concentrate in a busy office if needs be. In my larger bag, I have water (though I'm not great at keeping expensive bottles), more pens, more tissues, an extra fabric carrier bag (useful to go to the shops with etc), sometimes a book or iPad, more post-it notes and a mini umbrella. I sometimes wear Converse/wellies/etc and carry work shoes. Also possibly my laptop and charger, and a reusable picnic set so I don't always need to be throwing plastic cutlery away. In winter I also have a particular pocket where I keep gloves as I'm terrible about losing them and the only way is to be mega-organised; I have a similar policy for a sunglasses case in summer. I go through phases of carrying a Swiss Army knife and feeling really prepared (I always seem to need scissors) but this isn't great for security cameras/X-ray.
Also, I keep my house keys on a long lanyard that can be clipped onto my bag discreetly, because I had a phase of losing keys, which is best avoided. If I always know where they are, I can't lose them...
I am sure that over time, this will become something you find your way through. Vogue do a video series of 'in the bag' which is quite entertaining... in a fantasy sort of way...
