Breaking up with my emotional support tote was the best decision I ever made

IRTH by House of Titan is here to help you move on

I refuse to believe I’m the only woman married to the same emotional-support tote bag for every plan, place, and personality. This carryall isn’t an accessory; it’s an archive. Wet wipes, lip balm, a ziplock of dry fruits, lipstick, wallet, and several mystery items whose purposes died years ago.

Are we really meant to believe the women who match bags to outfits also have time for perfect winged eyeliner and a full bag transplant? I’d like to observe this sorcery.

Then January arrived with its trademark false confidence, whispering new year, new me. So, I decided to stop overworking one poor bag and start carrying the right one for the right moment.

Scrolling through IRTH’s website made me realise how thoroughly I’d deprived myself. I found spacious carryalls when the contents of my bag aren’t scrambled into what seems like the Stranger Things’ Upside Down, but have zips and compartments to keep them well-organised. Even the smaller handheld bags like the embellished ones from their Threads collection come with sections where I can place my phone, a compact for touch-ups, and some cash. No more sneakily slipping these into my husband’s pockets at cocktail events.

Here are five bags from their latest collections, each perfect for a different occasion:

For desi girl occasions

This bag from IRTH’s latest Threads collection is an investment piece for anyone who has a social calendar with too many weddings. It balances the bedazzled outfit, jewellery and glittering makeup without stealing the spotlight.

Handcrafted by Indian artisans over 18 hours, it features nearly 2,000 beads and close to 4,000 stitches. The versatile silver pairs effortlessly with multiple outfits, while the intricate embellishment makes it ideal for cocktail parties where you want your accessories to do some talking.

For a coffee run

It’s hard to find the Goldilocks bag; the kind that’s not a life-swallowing tote, not a mini sling that only fits your wounded dignity after walking into a glass door–something that’s just right. I wanted something for low-stakes outings when I don’t need emergency flats or a phone charger.

IRTH’s Sailor black handheld bag feels like a small victory. It’s neat and structured with a zip closure that has enough space for your phone. The central zip creates smart compartments: phone on one side, vanity essentials on the other. There’s also an inner zip pocket to hold a wallet and keys. The playful boat charm softens the bag’s otherwise sharp silhouette, adding just the right amount of personality.

For making a statement at a meeting

I spent a year clinging to a basic black work bag, a safe and predictable choice, but this year is about experimenting and trying something new. Enter: this olive-toned structured bag that feels like the perfect middle ground between boring and beach-bag-at-a-meeting.

Olive is a chic neutral that has been a dominating colour all through last year and continues to hold its ground in 2026, and for good reason. This one fits a 14-inch laptop, a diary, your phone, and even an afternoon snack without looking overstuffed. Thoughtful details like a key leash and wire organiser make it refreshingly hassle-free. Carry it by the top handles for meetings or switch to the webbing strap when your shoulders are tired from carrying your workload.

For carefree moments

Sometimes you want to roam around like Emily strutting through Rome with Marcello—no clutching required, just picking up wine from a window. This utilitarian sling is perfect for those moments. I can picture myself holding my partner’s hand and an ice cream, totally unburdened.

It’s also ideal for travel looks: check-in baggage, cabin bag, and one tiny sling with passport, boarding pass, chocolates, and cash. The cherry hue makes it easy to spot on the security belt. With one main compartment, two internal utility pockets, and two quick-access pockets, it carries everything you need on the go.

For day-to-night looks

When I have plans both during the day and evening, and I don’t have the time to switch bags, this one sings ‘Main Hoon Na’ to me. For moments when I want to escape my jeans-and-oversized-shirt uniform, this polished bag is the go-to. It fits right in at fine-dining restaurants when you’re wearing a fit-and-flare dress, or at a rooftop brunch when paired with a waistcoat-and-trousers co-ord set.

The bag may be tiny, but it’s quite mighty when it comes to storage space. It’s big enough to hold your phone and more, and its lock and zipper closure make sure nothing ever spills out.