Back to Blog

The Art (and Joy) of Being Prepared

Posted by Katharine Guidotti on

There’s a certain kind of magic in being the woman who always has what she needs exactly when she needs it. It’s not about carrying everything. It’s about knowing where everything is. The real secret of how to stay organized: choosing tools that work as beautifully as they look.

At Vera Bradley, we don’t believe in chaos disguised as a carryall—we believe in design that listens to your life. With pockets that actually make sense, compartments that never waste space, and accessories that pull everything together like your favorite playlist on a Monday morning, we design for women who move through life with purpose.

So whether you’re figuring out how to organize your purse, how to stay organized as a busy parent, or just how to keep your day from unraveling, consider this your permission to organize with joy and a dash of style, too!

The Upright Cosmetic Organizer: Where Beauty Meets Order

tall cylindrical cosmetic organizer in floral pattern with zip top open to show dark blue interior

This chic tall cosmetic bag isn’t just for makeup lovers even though it handles bottles, brushes, and essentials like a pro thanks to interior elastic loops. It stands at attention on a vanity or tucks neatly into your weekender, giving everything a home and keeping the beauty chaos at bay.

"It is perfect for my weekend getaways. Holds everything that I need." ~ Teri

No more digging. No more spills. Just grab it in a flash and close it all up with a quick zip!

3 Pouch Organizer Set: Your Daily Chaos, Sorted by Size

set of three black zip top pouches of varying sizes

Big meeting? Busy morning? Quick coffee run? These three zip pouches are your trio of calm in the storm. Tuck lip gloss and hair ties in the small one. Slide your passport or receipts in the medium. Let the large one handle snacks, hand sanitizer, or that inevitable stash of your kids’ tiny toys from the bottom of your purse.

"Great pouches always useful for tucking away important items that you don't want swimming at the bottom of your purse or tote." ~ Patrice

You don’t need to learn how to organize your purse from a famous influencer’s videos. All you need is a pouch for every purpose!

Hanging Travel Organizer: Not Just for Travel, FYI

red quilted hanging organizer unfolded to show hanger and 3 sections with zip pockets for toiletries and cosmetics

Yes, it’s called a travel organizer, but you know how to use it on the daily. Hang it in the bathroom, pop it in your gym locker, or keep it in the car for a just-in-case kit. Two mesh zip pockets, a clear zip section for easy-to-see items, and a sleek fold-and-go profile make this a go-to for organizing everything from toiletries to tiny toys.

"I love the colors. It hangs in a hotel bathroom or in a guest bath without taking up room on the sink. It's a perfect gift for my graduating niece who is going away to college." ~ Nancy

This hanging organizer will help you keep it all together both literally and figuratively.

Cord Organizer: Because Life Has Enough Knots

red floral quilted cotton cord organizer pouch with zipper open to show interior pocket

Ever gone fishing in your tote for a charger and come up with a tangled mess of tech? Not anymore. Our zippered cord organizer pouch stores cables, earbuds, chargers, and adapters in tidy little mesh pockets that keep things visible and under control. 

"This is a product I never knew I needed! I use this for work, and keep my laptop charger, mifi, mifi charger, phone charger, and mouse in here. I used to just throw those items in my bag, but having them in this one bag really helps locate them when I need them!" ~ Jeannette

It’s a small piece of sanity with a big job: making sure you’re always powered up and stress-free.

Lay Flat Travel Organizer: Built for Flat-Out Genius

collage showing quilted cotton travel organizer zippered close and also opened to lay flat with two zippered storage compartments

A multitasker’s dream, this zip-close travel organizer opens flat so you can see it all without rummaging and no fuss. Three mesh slip pockets, two zip compartments, and one more zip pocket give you options for organizing self-care essentials, makeup, meds, and more. Plus, it’s sleek enough to slide into your carry-on.

"Love the lay flat organizer. It's more shallow than many cosmetic bags so it fits easily in carryons. Holds all of my hair, skin and makeup items. Very happy." ~ James

Prepared? Always. Stylish? Obviously.

Hair Accessory Organizer: The End of the Scrunchie Scavenger Hunt

collage showing quilted cotton hair accessory organizer folded up and also opened to show zippered pockets and slip pocket for hair tools

With a spot for everything (including a heat-resistant slip pocket for that still-warm curling iron), this folding hair accessory organizer keeps your hair accessories collected and ready to go. Two wipe-clean zip pockets handle clips, elastics, and headbands, while the elegant fold-up design ties it all together. It’s like giving your hair a personal assistant.

Packing Cube Set: Organization, Elevated

four red zippered packing cubes stacked on top of each other

These aren't just any old packing cubes. They’re tiny life coaches in fabric form. With four cubes in different sizes (and two with expandable zippers), you can sort outfits, accessories, and even separate clean from “laundry-in-waiting.”

"These are the best thing to organize packing. It is easy and better to keep things together." ~ Sharon

Whether you’re off on a weekend trip or organizing a diaper bag, these cubes simplify everything.

Because Organized Doesn’t Mean Ordinary

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of how to stay organized, here’s your gentle reminder: you don’t need to change your personality. You just need the right system. The right pouches. The right pockets. The right patterns that feel like you. Because you are already prepared. These bags just help prove it.

Want to make every day a little smoother, your purse or carry-on a little neater, and your life a lot more joyful?

Start with what goes inside the bag.

SHOP FOR MORE BAGS & ACCESSORIES THAT KEEP YOU ORGANIZED

#VeraBradley