There’s a new trend taking over TikTok FYPs the world over and it is called the “purse bowl,” defined as a bowl for storing the contents of one’s purse when the purse itself is not in use.
It’s the latest entry in the internet’s glossary of life hacks, and, like many of the life hacks that came before it, kind of seems like it’s reinventing the wheel. Keeping a little dish for keys and lip balm in the foyer hardly seems like a groundbreaking innovation, right? And yet, the “purse bowl” has become especially popular with the girlies on TikTok, who are describing it as “genius” and “life-changing.”
Let us explain why with a TL;DR.
Give me the TL;DR.
The “purse bowl” is a dedicated bowl for storing all of the essential items a person carries in their purse—think keys, wallet, headphones, and lip gloss—that you keep by the front door. It is considered especially convenient for people who tend to switch out their bags every day, because now you can always find your Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm on your way out the door without rummaging through all of last week’s bags. You just have to remember to empty your purse into the bowl when coming home, so when you leave the next day, all of your stuff is ready to be repacked into the handbag of the day.
Wait, I need more. What’s the background here?
The term “purse bowl” was coined by TikTok creator @cocotakes, who demonstrated how she uses the bowl in a video posted on April 1. “I’m always changing my bags,” she explained, so at the end of every day she drops everything that was in her bag into the bowl. Then, the next day, when she’s going to refill the bag she has all her essentials.
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Her idea immediately caught on, first in the comments and then with other creators showing off their own purse bowls. And yes, this has clearly been a great opportunity for influencers to use those brand partnerships. One creator filled her bowl with mints, a pill organizer, wipes, portable perfumes, hand sanitizer, and makeup. Another added battery packs and a film camera. Another mentioned tissues and six different lip products.
What we’re saying is, get ready for more purse bowl restock videos.
Isn’t this kind of already a thing?
The idea of keeping your keys, wallet, and lipgloss in a bowl by the front door? Yes, this is certainly already a thing. What’s new is that it is now called a purse bowl. But it also maybe expands the idea of what to keep in the bowl. For instance, maybe you already have a key bowl on your entryway table, but you never thought to keep your tissues and lipstick in the bowl as well, which does make it easier to transfer items from bag to bag.
Hold on. Is the “purse bowl” just another way to promote rampant consumerism?
It doesn’t have to be! Because this is TikTok’s economy and we’re just living in it, we are already seeing videos of people running out to buy a new “purse bowl,” just as we’re seeing creators stock their bowls with products from brand partnerships. But! There are also creators who are taking the bowl in creative directions. For instance, one ceramicist posted a video on how she made her own purse bowl. Others seem to be just enjoying the new organizational tip.
It’s your purse bowl. You can make it, buy it, find it in the back of your kitchen cupboard, and fill it with anything you actually need.
The post What Is a ‘Purse Bowl’? TikTok’s New Favorite Life Hack Is an Old Idea With a New Look appeared first on Glamour.
