Lockdown Three seemed as good a time as any to satisfy a nosy craving to rummage through the Varsity Fashion Team’s bags. We asked the Varsity Fashion team four questions to find out what they’re packing for brief forays out of the house:

Briefly describe the items in your bag and why you pack them.

The item in my bag I couldn’t live without is…

Why did you buy this bag?

What do you think your bag and its contents say about you?

Alexandra, Columnist

Briefly describe the items in your bag and why you pack them.

I keep a tote with me in case I need to do some shopping or get a book from the library. I have lots of hairpins for when my French-rolled hair inevitably comes undone and yes, I do carry sunglasses with me even in this weather.

The item in my bag I couldn’t live without is…

I never leave the house without my gloves, I’m always the first one to put them on in autumn and I wear them until well into spring.

Why did you buy this bag?

This bag was a gift from my parents when they first came to visit me in the UK three years ago. I went through a long phase in high school when I only wore big sturdy backpacks (thanks, bulky textbooks), so it was nice to switch to a handbag for university.

What do you think your bag and its contents say about you?

I like classic, minimal style and don’t go outside that much. I don’t like the sun (God bless the English weather) or very bright colours.

Cathryn-Olivia, Columnist

Briefly describe the items in your bag and why you pack them.

I’ll always find a whole selection of hair scrunchies and bracelets that I like to slip on when I’m walking somewhere. The Clinique gloss is hereditary, my mum would always stash her No.7 gloss samples into her handbags! I love documenting memories using my vlogging camera and reading about my favourite authors from the Classical world, so that explains pocket-sized Plato!

The item in my bag I couldn’t live without is…

Realistically it would be my glasses. I’d probably pick up my lip gloss to start writing, or my pen to put lip gloss on otherwise!

Why did you buy this bag?

I had absolutely fallen in love with Filippo Albacini’s ‘The Wounded Achilles’ at the British Museum’s 2020 ‘Troy: myth and reality’ exhibition. The design of sculpture on a tote bag allows me to practise some of my archaeology skills while on the go!

What do you think your bag and its contents say about you?

While there is no single aesthetic here, I think it’s fair to say that it screams, ‘21st century Classicist’!

Claire, Deputy Editor

Briefly describe the items in your bag and why you pack them.

The British love queuing and a book in the queue is main character behaviour. I’m short-sighted so I bring my glasses with me but I’m vain so they stay in my bag. My film camera is my baby and my Burberry card holder was a 21st birthday present to myself!

The item in my bag I couldn’t live without is…

The cardholder – I’m a Virgo through and through.

Why did you buy this bag?

My friend was embroidering totes for charity and she made me one with Hong Kong on it!

What do you think your bag and its contents say about you?

Wannabe main character, actually short-sighted and dehydrated.

Lara, Editor

Briefly describe the items in your bag and why you pack them.

My bag is like a museum of forgotten artefacts; scraps of receipts from a time when the world was on paper and we used to shop in person, empty film canisters, even the packaging from my Glossier order – now home to my keys, drivers licence and loyalty cards for 4357 different cafes.

The item in my bag I couldn’t live without is…

All three of my Fenty lip glosses. I couldn’t possibly pick a favourite.

Why did you buy this bag?

It’s from one of my favourite museums in Madrid. Picasso’s Guernica made me do it.

What do you think your bag and its contents say about you?

We get it, you went to a museum in Europe and spent too long in the gift shop.

Lucie, Creative Contributor

Briefly describe the items in your bag and why you pack them.

When heading outside I always like to be colourful and warm, so I always make sure to pack my bright blanket scarf and a purple beanie which I knitted myself. My purse is a souvenir from Corfu and I always make sure to carry my glasses, toothpaste and eye drops as they help me feel refreshed throughout the day.

The item in my bag I couldn’t live without is…

My Glossier lip balm! It’s the best antidote to winter chapped lips and it smells amazing!

Why did you buy this bag?

I bought this bag from a shop in Madrid. I love the pastel colour and it’s super practical – it’s waterproof, it has tonnes of pockets and the backpack design means I can keep my hands free!

What do you think your bag and its contents say about you?

Old enough to need eye drops, young enough to want to dress like a rainbow My Little Pony!

Martha, Editor

Briefly describe the items in your bag and why you pack them.

I don’t go anywhere without at least twice as much stuff as I need (hence the triple lip balm situation going on here) because I am cripplingly indecisive.

The item in my bag I couldn’t live without is…

My glasses, for obvious reasons.

Why did you buy this bag?

Because I do English and am not very inventive.

What do you think your bag and its contents say about you?

I am overly optimistic about the chances of finding use for a book on my daily trip to Sainsbury’s, and probably have quite dry lips.

Muhammad, Creative Contributor

Briefly describe the items in your bag and why you pack them.

Living in the tropics, carrying sunglasses and lip balm around is always a good idea. Lugging a book and camera seems excessive but it makes me feel unique; I’m not like other boys, I read Patti Smith and take photos on film. Also my notebook, Muji pen and a watch that, I admit, is just an accessory. My cardholder is locally designed and produced in Malaysia so I proudly use that in the name of ethical, sustainable fashion.

The item in my bag I couldn’t live without is…

As much as I would like to say my journal or camera, it would have to be my phone. I have been through too much with her.

Why did you buy this bag?

This tote was given as a freebie after I splurged on an APC winter coat following my Cambridge interview which I was convinced that I blew. Guess the impulsive, consolatory purchase wasn’t justified after all…

What do you think your bag and its contents say about you?

I try hard to be effortlessly cool but end up looking like every other mediocre Gen Z influencer.