#HTE

Designing For Known Unknowns: A Period-Specific Purse

The Period Purse is a sleek minimalist portfolio for menstrual tools, intended to cover a lot of bases without raising any eyebrows. While about half the world’s population will have periods during their lives, there are next to zero period supplies that the general public won’t flinch at seeing. 

However the flow is managed, period-havers have to deal with messy surprises, supplies disappearing into bag corners, discreetly carrying supplies to a bathroom, limited space or privacy, and lack of easy disposal. These factors add discomfort and stress to a time that can already be uncomfortable. Now LAVA Women Design is tackling each in a very tidy amount of space. 

At 15.5cm x 9.5 x 2.5 the faux leather purse is the size of a small clutch, and would easily pass (or work) as a standard purse or makeup bag. One side has elastic pockets for tampons, pads, liners or cups. The other side fits custom packs of resealable baby wipes. The center flap holds a custom pack of disposable sanitary bags, which double over twice to make transporting used supplies to a garbage can worry-free.

The funniest/most thoughtful element is a small strap you can fold out and snap around your leg if the stall lacks somewhere to put your items other than the floor. While the visual is fun, the lived experience without it is not. 

The kit would be particularly nice for out and about folks like business people, travelers and students. It would also suit people who use greener options like applicator-free tampons or menstrual cups, both of which can get users (particularly newer converts) worried about feeling messy in public. It would also work well for ladies with subdued, organized style. Google “period bag” or its variants and you’ll find clunky bags with prints that would embarrass a middle schooler. There’s no way I’m pulling out a pink floral duffel between lunch and my next meeting.

While I’m pretty sure this purse can fit a jumbo baggie of Ibuprofin, I do wonder if pads would need more storage space, particularly for people with heavy days. I’m also not a big fan of designs that rely on proprietary refills, but given the range of wipes and plastic bags out there you might have viable mass-market options as well. 

Overall the Period Purse only differs a bit from common purse options, but it does it with a very sharp eye on actual use. Its functionality comes close to dopp kits and baby travel bags, but those aren’t as small, elegant or purpose-driven. And regardless, if daily organizers are important enough to drive a percentage of Japan’s GDP, menstrual accessories can use some more design variety too. I’m fine throwing supplies into a cluttered makeup bag, but if given equally portable options with better storage and form, I’d switch fast…. And likely stay better prepared in general. 

There’s no right or wrong way to handle your period, but thoughtful tools can help it feel like less of a burden. Without getting into the disgusting parts (e.g. millennia of taboos and shame), there’s no reason dealing with a period should be additionally flustering. I hope this minimalist step in that direction gets traction and lights some fires under other bag designers too.

The Period Purse campaign ends October 11, 2016.