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    How To Switch Purses (or Bags!) Easily

    Published/Updated: Jul 2, 2025 · Erica Ho · 1 minute read

    Rogério Martins / Flickr

    There's an upside being known as the bag lady.

    Switching between different purses, bags, or backpacks effortlessly is the fine art of commuting. Here's how to do it in the blink of an eye, with everything you need.

    Hot tip: If you can keep things in pouches, do so, and make the switch the night before. It also might be helpful to make a list of what you need on a daily basis to stay organized.

    If you deal in travel gear like us, there are suitcases upon suitcases and bags upon bags.

    Sometimes you get in a mood; there's also different bags depending on what vibe you're going for.

    (Though an ex once quipped, "How come you're always cramming so much in and never have any space? Don't you have a million bags?")

    Organize things in pouches

    Pouches are your friend. That way, when you're switching bags, just throw one pouch into the other.

    I have two pouches, and its mostly because there are two things I really care about in life: working, and working out. (Wow, when you say it that way. 🤔)

    Keep it simple: Don't have too many pouches, each pouch has a purpose, and they should all look different from each other.

    One is the electronics pouch, where I keep all of the prerequisite cords needed for changing workspaces, and the other is my workout pouch, where I keep all my workout accessories and clothes. 

    • Save

    Believe in the power of the pouch. (Ron Lach / Pexels )

    The golden rule if you go this route is to always return everything to the pouch when you are done.

    Buy multiples of everything

    This is the simpler, more expensive option. This definitely requires the least brain power, though.

    For instance, having two laptop chargers is definitely convenient when you can leave one at home, and keep one in a pouch. If you have more than two, then you can spread the third one into another commonly used bag.

    Stock essentials in each bag

    It is not always possible to keep multiples of essentials around, but it is possible to keep a few multiples of things like face masks and snacks in each bag.

    These are usually less expensive items and more commonplace items, like pens, hair ties, and odd ends.

    Here are a few things I keep in every bag: Face masks, pens, hair ties, two pens, and nonperishable snacks. (I go through the snacks quickly enough!) 

    This leaves me more time to focus on the things I actually need to concentrate on.

    Like working, and working out. 😅

    • Save

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    TL;DR

    There are three methods:

    1. Stay organized with pouches
    2. Buy multiples of everything
    3. Stock each bag with key essentials

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    Erica Ho

    Erica Ho

    Erica Ho is a former reporter for TIME in Hong Kong and former geek at Gizmodo and Lifehacker. Her work has appeared in CNN, Yahoo!, MSN, Mashable, Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler and Quartz to name a few places.

    The good ol' days! I remember creeping as a former The good ol' days! I remember creeping as a former expat, and honestly, stumbling into the most random places as a traveler  😅 

It is not every day you stumble into someone else's living room for a private jazz concert, and if you happen to be down in Mexico City, check out @laa_esquina (send a DM!). 

Twice a month. It's the best kind of Saturday night, even if I can't stay up that late anymore!
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