My style in a bag with Billie Bhatia

 

As anyone who has ever been on holiday with me can attest, I am not a light traveller. (For my fellow over-packers, I highly recommend a carry on of just accessories for your next holiday in the sun).

However, my handbag of choice – always a crossbody bag – really gives the illusion that I am lighter traveller than the reality. A crossbody’s handsfree nature has an air of nonchalant about it. To the unknown eye, it appears as if you have just swung a sweet little bag over your body for a day of adventure. When actually, my reality is that I have filled the bag to the brim with what I deem “essentials”.

Whether I am heading to a meeting in Central London or a ramble around my Richmond, you will always find me with a crossbody bag. I love this green suede one from La Redoute – the thick strap means the weight of the contents doesn’t pull on the shoulder and its neutral shade and refined aesthetic means it works with everything in my wardrobe.

A look inside someone’s bag is a small window into their life, so welcome to my slightly chaotic but well-intentioned world.

There will always be a pair of sunglasses in every bag in my wardrobe. Even if it’s forecast to be 8 degrees and raining, they will still be in there, just in case. Sunglasses have many sartorial talents, but I keep them around for the following: to add an instant boost of glamour, to make me look put together when I’m in my gym kit, to hide a particularly gnarly hangover, and to shield me on public transport when I’m in need of a quick 10-minute snooze.

I have a habit of picking up pens wherever I go. Hotels, restaurants, the office – the bottom of my bag often looks like a slightly sad pencil case. As a journalist I’m on a constant look out for ideas and there is inspiration to be found everywhere. Most people would probably just use a notes page on their phone, but I’m old school and nothing beats pen and paper. This Smythson notebook has been with me for about 9 months and is packed with (some undecipherable) scrawls – many of which have been turned into fully fledged articles.

 

I am always hot. Even in the darkest depths of winter I have been known to defrost car windows just using the heat from my hands. While I might leave the house with my hair down, it’s often not long before a rising body temperature means it’s got to go up. I’m currently obsessed with this lilac lace scrunchie from Stine Goya – one part practical, one part pretty.

In a bid to be more conscious about what I’m spending, I’ve taken to travelling with my wallet. As convenient as paying with your phone might be, I don’t always take stock of how many times I am tapping it a day. Whereas physically having to take my wallet out of my bag keeps me in check with how I am spending my money.

In the summer months, I’m a big fan of a facial spray. They are cooling and hydrating in equal measure, and with unpredictable English weather and an increase in travel this year my dry and tired skin has needed to be quenched throughout the day. Glossier’s Soothing Face Mist is my on the move spritz of choice thanks to its lightweight bottle and refreshing rose scent.

I can’t confess to be one of those people that pre-Covid carried a hand sanitiser, but since the pandemic I am a lot more aware of how many surfaces I touch throughout the day. I am fickle, and I like Aesop’s hand sanitiser because its looks (and smells) a lot nicer than the clinical offerings from the chemist.

I’m firmly lipstick over lip gloss, but sometimes I just need something a little more nourishing. Clarins’ Comfort Lip Oil in Honey is addictively good. I either apply straight to bare lips if I’m on the run to give the effect of hydrated skin, or I add over the top of a lipstick to create a slick, evening look. Truly a handbag essential.

My old housemate once told me I had terrible key prep (apparently you should be armed and ready to open your door at least 10 paces away, compared to my torch lit fumbles). To counter this flaw I’ve employed a large keyring from Rae Feather so that I can easily find my keys in my sea of essentials at 11 paces away. Highly recommend.