all illustrations, including lead art, by Aubrey Casazza
Dating is an adventure for the daring and intrepid, often requiring resources like self-awareness, a group chat, clean jeans, and therapy. Sometimes it requires even more concrete things to throw into our bags before we leave the house! Here are the things we try never to leave home without if we’re headed to a first date or a hopeful hookup.
I once brought spare underwear in my jean jacket pocket to a date. Turns out I needed them the next morning.
No harm in carrying a dental dam in your purse, bag or jean jacket pocket either. As I’ve learned, jean jacket pockets can fit a lot!
Gum’s a given! You just never know when you might kiss or feel sick on a bus home! (cheap travel nausea deterrent)
Travel toothbrush and paste, floss, a nail kit, an extra pair of underwear, warmly scented body oils (my current fave is patchouli and amber). cell phone charger and little charger box thing. I’m a slut so I always say be prepared for sex on the first date, but don’t expect it.
It’s been a very long time since I’ve been on a first date, and I know this answer is going to make me sound a thousand years old, but before I met my partner Stacy (and the night I met Stacy) nine years ago, I always brought one of my favorite books along with me. I knew if I gave it to her, that meant I enjoyed our conversation so much I wanted to hear her opinion about something I loved. It meant I wanted to see her again. It meant I wanted to start a conversation and keep it going. It meant I wanted to share something with her that meant something to me, to see how she would handle the dearest thing to me — stories. It meant I hoped she’d share one of her stories with me too. I carried a lot of books in a lot of backpacks over the years and only ever ended up giving one away to one girl. It’s on the bookshelves we share now.
When I went on my first date with my current girlfriend, I meant to bring along sleepover things and DID bring some (change of clothes, clean underwear, makeup bag) but I forgot my toothbrush. I decided to text her that I forgot my toothbrush, which was also my not-so-subtle way of saying that I was interested in sleeping over assuming things went well. TO BE FAIR, our “first date” was at a hotel bar so…
But yes, I think in general some good things to bring on a first date where a sleepover might be possible are: gum, toothbrush, clean underwear/socks, Advil (in case drinking is involved).
I’m one of those fanny pack queers. I almost always carry a tooth brush, deodorant, Rescue Sleep Remedy (I’m an insomniac, especially in unfamiliar beds) and extra undies. If I’m definitely in for a sexy date, I’ll throw in my travel size bottle of Sliquid Sassy, my favorite water-based lube.
I keep a mini-bag inside my shoulder bag containing an extra pair of underwear, face wipes, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste, and some condoms and lube. 90% of the face wipes get used in my own bedroom in my own apartment when I am too tired to walk all the way to the bathroom to wash my face. I also always have vitamin c immunity tablets, not so much because I need them at all times but because I always forget to take them out of my purse.
Oh yes. I always have a very casual combination of my must-have skincare and makeup essentials: Milk Makeup’s Kush Brow (because I do not exist in public without my eyebrows) and a face oil. At this point I expect most adults to have extra toothbrushes, but, tbh, I’d rather go without a toothbrush than without my eyebrows. Sorry.
Deodorant and fresh panties. It’s a lifesaver after an impromptu sleepover. And at the risk of sounding like an old lady: mint candy. First of all, even good dates can get awkward, especially when you both want to make a move but don’t know how. Second of all, candy is way sexier than gum. In my experience, mints freshen my breath, give me an excuse to break the silence by offering one to my date, and are very fun to play with when you’re (finally) making out.
In terms of first date preparation I just bring chapstick and gum for kissing purposes. Usually if it turns out I want to take it further I just invite them back to my place (or schedule the date there in the first place) but when it seems like i’ll end up elsewhere I grab a toothbrush, deodorant, extra pair of underwear and a mini tub of shea butter. Basically things that I wouldn’t feel comfortable asking to borrow, cover the important bases of hygiene when I leave, and fit into a small purse.
Ok let’s get it!
Because I perhaps have slight commitment issues I often call first dates “first hangouts”.
When I want it to go from the coffee shop or bar to a cute drink in their (hopefully) cozy apartment or invite them back to my cute ass place, the first thing I bring is extra confidence.
I tuck it in my bag along with my “let’s get it” kit.
First thing is cash. I always want to pay because I want her to know that I can take care of myself and want to do my part, I’m a brat who gets her own bag. How embarrassing would it be to get the check to head back to your place and your card gets declined?
Second is soft lips. I buy the little mini Vaseline that I can pop in my bag for a quick touch up. My lips stay soft and shiny and ready to be kissed and for me to kiss all on them.
Third is nail glue. Your girl is a high femme with sexy pointy acrylics that make any outfit extra sexy. The girls like it and I’ll be damned if a nail breaks and I’m holding my martini with my pinky nail missing.
Next we got sour candy and deodorant. My breath will smell sweet and taste yummy and, I’ll smell good while we are hopefully getting sweaty.
I also pack the cute to-go organic baby wipes to clean up pre hopeful sexy times, extra panties (usually a tiny lace pair) to change into and travel size non fragrance lotion to put on so I’m extra soft when she’s peeling my clothes off.
I’m usually in their bathroom for 3-4 minutes putting my kit to use and it turns out that I never need to do all that because she was ready to bang me the minute we got back. I still go the extra mile every time though because I’m an overachiever ;)
I keep what I generously call a “slut kit” in my purse for slut emergencies, which in my life are sadly quite rare these days. It’s a gold pencil case bag with extras of all my makeup, a travel toothbrush and toothpaste, an extra set of contact lenses and a face wipe or two. It’s not ideal, but it’ll get me through awkwardly sneaking out of someone’s place in the morning with morning breath, smeary makeup and blurry vision.
If I’m going on a first date that I hope will go well I am bringing enthusiasm, confidence, and a bold lip. If I think there’s a possibility we’re gonna fuck I will probably also throw a vibrator, gloves, condoms, lube, and my pink leather collar in my bag, along with a toothbrush and an extra pair of underwear. But honestly I’m less worried about if I’ll have my fave sex toy or clean undies the next day than I am about meeting my date where they’re at, asking engaging questions and making cute jokes, listening when they share, holding positive boundaries and not over-sharing myself, and communicating clearly every step of the way!
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Comments
At my first date with my gf, in my bag I had used shower stuff and gym gear. Because it can only help to be freshly showered but also, still pumped from the gym right? Only bringing my best arms on a first date yknow.
this is making me realize I am a woefully unprepared gay
I’ve been known to go on a first date with nothing but my wallet, because let’s be honest, we’ll be going back to my place. I’m a Taurus: I’ll always have the comfiest bed, softest mood lighting and best snacks. Pre-date rituals center largely around house cleaning :)
god I love Taurus’ and that entire situation
I’ve never been that lucky on a first date so the extra I usually bring is cannabis(usually in a handy pen form with maybe) & if it’s a scenic place a camera setup that fits in my pocket. Both have been useful conversation starts in casual environments. Then again I haven’t been on enough dates as the last five were canceled the day of. Boo. But, this round table does look useful.
on my last first date i brought freshly baked sugar cookies shaped like skulls so read into that what you will
i also always have at least one multitool, a first aid kit (size determined by my bag), headphones, and a phone charger. swiss army butch 4 life
HEATHER.
Heather Hogan. I just. 💛
I love these illustrations, they’re gorgeous. Is Aubrey going to be making art regularly for AS? I hope so. I clicked on her name in the intro but it said “Page not found”.
This just makes me want to stuff more into my overstuffed handbag. I’ve never had a first date kit.
HEATHER what was the book?!
The Tale of Despereaux, by Kate DiCamillo!
“‘Once upon a time,’ he said out loud to the darkness. He said these words because they were the best, the most powerful words that he knew and just the saying of them comforted him.”
heather you are an actual soft butch lesbian disney princess
But like with Dimitri’s style from Anastasia (which I know is not a Disney movie!). 🧡
back when i was aggressively slutting about I had my normal going out fanny pack (small, black, tasteful) as well as a neon pink 80s monstrosity I’d wear on tinder dates, dubbed “party bag!”
my roommates would know immediately when i stepped into the living room what kind of night I was gonna have. we had a little call & response where they’d go “party bag!” and i’d go “getting laid!”
i miss those days. party bag holds pens now. sometimes I go to get an eraser and let out a wistful “getting laid!”, just for old times sake.
I knew making out and/or sex was thing people could do on a first date, but after reading this I didn’t realize how common it actually is.
Gotta say this makes me feel more demi/ace than I usually do ^^;
Of course Heather would have the loveliest most romantic thing to contribute.
I’m still waiting for the date that ends in staying up talking all night, partially about how Willow and Tara and Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a whole shaped our adolescence haha.