By now most of you should be aware of the clear bag policies around the SEC (Southeastern Conference) at football stadiums, but did you know that you also must have a clear bag to enter concerts? What was a relatively new policy around the country last year has now become common policy at many concert venues, NFL, college and high school stadiums. In fact, venues are now issuing information about their clear bag policy before an event to ensure that people are not caught off guard.
Back in 2015 the SEC implemented the new clear bag policy as part of an extra security measure because of crowd size entering big arenas and stadiums according to a statement released by the SEC at that time.
“Football stadiums are the largest venues in the world, therefore fan safety is of the upmost priority” the statement read.
The new policy meant I could no longer carry my cute game day purse or backpack into the games. The policy not only stated the bag had to be clear, but it also required that all bags had to be a certain size. I also looked for the regulated bag in team shops around Birmingham and could not find one I liked. I finally settled for and bought a bag I saw at one of the bookstores in Auburn before the first home game. While entering the stadium last year, I saw many women having to check their bags at a tractor- trailer storage unit outside of Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium because they didn’t have the proper sized or clear bag to enter the game.
My experience was not uncommon, and in fact, a similar experience is what led North Alabama entrepreneurs and friends Brittany Trapp and Laura Beth Agee to begin styling and selling their designer clear bags under their label PURSeption. Brittany and Laura have been friends since kindergarten. Brittany attended Auburn and Laura attended Alabama and when they couldn’t find a cute PVC compliant bag while shopping, the two began designing their line of bags. Purseption is a line of genuine leather and PVC clear bags that meet the requirements under the policy and are compliant with regulations stated by the sports conferences and venues.
“We went out shopping for a cute PVC compliant bag and couldn’t find one,” said Brittany Trapp, Co-Owner of Pursepetion. “We talked about it and thought that there must be other women who faced the same dilemma, so that’s how our company got started.”
According to their brand promise: “PURSEption” gives every stylish girl a style they want to emulate not just on game day, but everyday. The two get their inspiration for the designs from the people around them, while at the same time, keeping functionality in mind. “We create our designs based on what people have told us they would like to see, our family and friends are our inspiration. Our goal is to create a line women would use not only on game day, but everyday.” Brittany added.
Now in their second year of business, their bags can be found in over 200 stores and boutiques nationwide. The bags continue to be a hot commodity. As soon as a bag is designed and made, it sells out. Dillard’s throughout the U.S. also carries the bags in stores and online. You also can purchase Purseption bags through the company’s online store as well as at a variety of boutiques across the U.S., including in some Alabama boutiques. NFL fans are a huge purchaser of these bags. The NFL was an early adopter of the clear bag policy that now many college campuses have implemented.
“Every entrepreneur needs to believe in themselves and the product or service they are offering,” said Brittany. “We are thrilled with how our business has been received in the last two year and are excited about where we are going in the future. We love what we do and we hope our customers love our bags as much as we do.”
No matter which football team you cheer for, we all can celebrate the fact that we now have a stylish clear bag option for our football stadium and event and concert venue whose policy requires a clear bag for entry.
All photos courtesy of PURSeption Bags. Black leather handle bag is “The Brittany” and tan handle bag is “The Bronwyn.” Follow PURSeption on Facebook and Instagram.
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