The Purse-Sized Overnight Bag

Let me preface this by saying that I don't think there's anything inherently shameful about walking home in the morning. I've done it with no real feelings of shame or regretful feelings. However, for many women it's a nerve-wracking experience to walk from one dorm or apartment to their own the morning after a party, one night stand, or just crashing at someone's place, especially when their clothes, hair, and makeup make it painfully obvious. This article is for those women, and for women who have a tendency to stay out overnight and want to be a little extra comfortable without taking a whole overnight bag.

These are things you can take with you to a party, club, or even a date, to prepare for the possibility of ultimately spending the night, in order to hide the fact the next morning. To pull this off, you will need a medium-sized purse, because you can't really fit many helpful things in a small clutch.

1. Roll up a small t-shirt and pack in the bottom of your purse. Even if you're not wearing a top that screams "I'm going to a party," a change of shirt will help you feel fresh and will mean you're not walking home with sweat stains. If anyone does see it, you can easily explain that you wanted something comfy to change into if you ended up staying out late. This of course doesn't take care of the rest of your outfit, especially if you're wearing a fancy mini-skirt and heels or boots; the shirt will, however, help to tone down the overall look.

If you're wearing a party dress, I'm sorry, I can't help you.

2. If you're on your period, pack an overnight pad. If you really want to be discreet, roll it into your shirt. Don't forget your birth control pills if you take them at night!

3. Put one or two makeup removing cloths in a plastic bag, and pack them in your purse. This is to remove your eye makeup, so you don't look like a raccoon the next morning. A little eyeliner will make your eyes look brighter no matter how little sleep you get.

4. If you're going to a costume party, pack your costume in a plastic bag, or garment bag if you have one; arrive in your street clothes, and change into your costume there. Not only do you have an excuse to take a bigger bag with you, you have clothes to walk home in the next morning without looking like you're expecting to crash there. This works best when it's too cold to wear your costume outside.

5. To prevent looking like medusa, or to hide any messy hair that did come about, take a hair elastic to put your hair in a ponytail. A mini comb may also help.

6. Take something to freshen your breath. This is more for comfort, something to tide you over until you get back to your dorm and brush your teeth.

Again, this isn't to say that the "walk of shame" really is something shameful that needs to be covered up. I'd prefer a world where people can walk back in their party outfits and smudged makeup and not be judged, or feel embarrassed, but until then, we have these tips.