<p>I like having a jacket or blazer with pockets (preferably ones that zip or have Velcro). Can generally put the essentials I need in the pockets and not worry about them. It is freeing not having to lug a bag around. I expect stadiums will start getting pickier about these things as well.</p>
<p>Agree with having the male carry the “stuff” that is needed instead of the female putting things in the bag.</p>
<p>There are very small wristlets that are about the size of a deck of cards that MAY be acceptable–call the venue and check. It would hold a cell phone, credit card, business cards, cash and lip balm/lipstick.</p>
<p>Is there really a college graduation that is banning all purses? Discouraging, I can see, but actually banning? I’ve got to think that even if this is the rule, hundreds of people will show up with purses. Are they going to turn them away?</p>
<p>What’s the point of discouraging? Would anyone do anything differently? People who travel light would anyway. Those who want to carry a purse are not going to think of an alternative, they’re just going to carry their purse. The only way to put any teeth into it is to have two types of entrances, one for people with bags and one for people without bags. Obviously the entrance with bags is going to go much slower and they are not going to get to seats as quickly (and we all know how important our seats are! lol). With this in mind I think people would forgo a purse in favor of a quicker line and a chance at better seating.</p>
<p>The OP did mention they stated the lines would be slower so this may be the case, however I didn’t get the impression that there would be actual separate lines for people who had bags to be searched. It’s just going to slow everyone down.</p>
<p>At our stadium and our kids’ U stadium, they have always had a separate longer line for folks who bring in any bag or any sort. For a while, our local stadium banned anything larger than a very small handbag (except they DID allow diaper bags with infant). The line with the people checking bags IS slower and longer. If you brought something larger than they were allowing OR water, you had the choice of forfeiting or taking it back to your car or wherever. Yes, they can tell you that you can’t bring whatever it is in. What you do at that point is your problem. </p>
<p>People who don’t anticipate and then grumble because they can’t do as they please just make life more difficult for everyone as well as themselves, especially if they’re already made aware of the policy by email or other notice.</p>
<p>Just travelled to area with high pickpocketing rate. Went to Container Store and bought small silk snap product to hold 4 “vital”" cards and a couple of bills snapped to bra strap. It works fine for awhile. I carry a small, secure, cross body purse with a bit of cash and know that if it is stolen, no identity theft can occur. Suggest light coat with pockets for other essentials for your graduation dilemma.<br>
Somehow, this is a poignant dilemma, reflecting the times we live in.</p>
<p>I was going to post the Scott E Vest link but someone beat me to it. I bought the travel vest for my daughter for a trip to San Francisco last year and it was perfect. My wife just flew to Singapore and she took the travel vest, a backpack and no handbag and she says that things are working out quite well with it.</p>
<p>I have the mens travel vest myself and wear it all the time once it gets above freezing out.</p>
<p>The site says all bags are banned, as are water bottles and umbrellas. Purses will be searched but they may make you put items in storage too. I don’t want to take a chance by bringing a purse of any sort. After reading your advice, I’m thinking dress with pockets and a belt so I can fasten my camera to my belt and put everything else in pockets. Camera is kind of big for a pocket. I also have no idea what the weather will be like, the only time I’ve been in Philly was during move in and it was wretchedly hot, and in the spring when it was quite pleasant - I have no idea what May is like. My daughter said to be prepared for heat and humidity, not my favorite that’s for sure. So sunglasses and hats I imagine can be worn in. We do have strappy things for sunglasses anyway so that’s not a problem.</p>
<p>The Essentials bag on Etsy @ KaroDesignsInc is the perfect bag!!! So cute and just the right size. Looks like there are other bags in the same shop that would work too.</p>
<p>Guess I don’t know what Philly May weather is like. Sm heading there for conference in a few weeks. Will be indoors at least half the time in air conditioning, so maybe weather isn’t so crucial.</p>
<p>If you do leave anything locked in a vehicle, keep it out of sight e.g. hidden under towel or shirt or magazine, etc.</p>
<p>At my school, no bags of any kind were allowed in the stadium ever-- I am sure clutches wouldn’t have been allowed and would not be surprised if wristlets weren’t either. I once watched security refuse admittance to someone who had a water bottle with one of those little insulating covers on it, because he considered the water bottle cover a bag even if nothing fit in it but the water bottle and the water bottle was allowed. </p>
<p>My dress had a pocket, where I put my student ID in case I needed it. My mom only brought a camera, and dad carried mom and grandma’s drivers licenses in his pockets. </p>
<p>I frequently just don’t want to carry a purse to certain kinds of events even if I can, and will often bring a jacket and stuff the pockets. In this kind of a situation, if I needed things and couldn’t put them in a mans pants pocket, I would bring a jacket-- it doesn’t matter if I wear it or not if it gets me in the door with my stuff.</p>
<p>What do you actually need to carry to a graduation ceremony?
Camera? Nope, they will have professional photographers. (Or just carry it in plain sight.)
Cell phone? Are you planning to answer phone calls? Will you be on call?
Money? Are you buying something?
ID? Maybe, but a drivers’ license can fit even in a dress pocket.
Lipstick? How often do you actually put on lipstick? Can it wait until after a three-hour ceremony?</p>
<p>My preference would be to lock the purse in the trunk of the car (I never “hide it” because I had a window broken to get to a hidden purse some years back) and carry pretty much nothing.</p>
<p>Am I the only one who has been known to put my driver’s license, credit and a few twenties wrapped around them in their bra? Any decent lightly padded bra can conceal these thin items, especially if it is tucked on the side. I have never been to any graduation where I needed money anyway, but carrying an ID is always a good idea.</p>
<p>Just what I was thinking. A ban of purses is silly. I’ve never been at an event where this has happened. And I’ve been at eight college and grad school graduations with my Ds!</p>