New pouches designed for women to carry items they don't want others seeing.
As football season begins, and the National Football League has limited the type of bags allowed in stadiums to ones that are clear or “the size of a hand,” some entrepreneurs have come through in the clutch and are promoting products that help female fans carry everything they need, while also maintaining their personal privacy.
It all started when, to speed up lines at security checkpoints and reduce crowding at stadium entrances, the league announced a new policy in June that only allows:
- Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”
- One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (Ziploc bag or similar)
- Small clutch bags, approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap
The new regulations have particularly outraged women who worry clear bags expose private items like feminine products, and mothers who carry a lot of extras like diapers, sippy cups, and baby formula. Yet despite protests on Twitter and parodies on YouTube, it looks like these rules are here to stay. (The NFL is even selling a line of clear bags with team logos at its shop.)
For women who don’t want to carry around their belongings in clear NFL totes or Ziploc bags, some blogs and news outlets like CNBC have recently listed a few alternatives that may meet these new guidelines:
Sholdit Clutch Wrap Purse: a “scarf-like” item with zipper pockets (shown at left) that can be worn around the neck or across the body. Measuring 31 inches long and ten inches wide, the polyester clutch wrap lets you stash plenty of items, while also helping you stay warm. $40
Aunt Fleaux’s Gameday Packs: hand-sewn black velvet clutches for New Orleans Saints fans with “I Bleed Black and Gold” hand-pressed in gold type, designed to conceal feminine products — thus inspiring the name “Aunt Fleaux.” $9.99 – $14.99
Scottevest Travel Vest for Women: handy travel vests boast 17 pockets and seem to have more than enough room for wallets, phones, and more. And men, there are styles for you, too. $125