In the Bag

Features

September 4, 2018



When Bank of America Stadium changed its handbag size regulations a few years ago, Jennifer Ugland was forced to throw away her game day clutch from The Pink Hanger. As the store’s former buyer, Ugland, 30, set out to find a stadium-approved handbag to replace the store’s popular game day bags. When she couldn’t find any that were both stylish and fit the size regulations, she decided to just design some for the store herself.

Her original plan was to sell her game day handbags solely at The Pink Hanger. However, when she realized it was a huge open market, she began to expand, and in September 2016, POLICY Handbags was officially born. Ugland trademarked, got her LLC, and began signing with stores not only in Charlotte, but also nationwide.

Although her original designs did not include clear handbags, they are by far her best seller. By the time football season came around, Ugland launched POLICY’s clear collection, and the bags sold out the first week.

The NFL bag policy states that “Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12 in. x 6 in. x 12 in.” are permitted to enter stadiums. Ugland believes that the phrasing of this policy could confuse game day attendees as to what they are allowed to bring into the stadium. Therefore, they resort to buying clear handbags in order to play it safe.

“I quickly learned I needed to find a way to make a fashionable clear handbag,” Ugland says.

And when clear fashion became the big trend of spring 2018—with see-through rain jackets, hats, glasses, jewelry, and more—Ugland’s fashionable Be Clear Collection became even more popular.

“Personally, I converted myself to a clear handbag user for my everyday carry,” Ugland says. “I tell everyone, ‘Don’t fear the clear!’ It is so much easier to find your keys, wallets, lip gloss, etc. in a clear handbag.”

And Ugland’s advice for keeping your personal items in your clear handbag private? Fill your clear bag with cute pouches. Then, you are keeping your personals hidden from public view, while still keeping everything more organized.

Find POLICY Handbags at The Pink Hanger, Girl Tribe Co., KK Bloom, Clair De Lune, The Cheeky Bean, Traveling Chic Boutique, and at other Charlotte boutiques, as well as stores nationwide. You can also visit POLICY’s website: policyhandbags.com.

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