Why You Need a Hip Flask and Great Hip Flask Styles

“Where would I need a flask?” you may be asking.

Our response is, “Where wouldn’t you need a flask?”

Some occasions when you might want a flask

Whether you’ve been invited to a party hosted by someone who hasn’t quite grown out of his fraternity keg party ways or you’ve reluctantly agreed to attend a 17th-century poetry reading with the hot new girl in the office, a flask brimming with top-shelf whiskey is sure to get you through. Never mind the tequila you’ll need to get through your next family reunion. But hey, flasks don’t just come in handy during life’s more grim circumstances.

Hitting the slopes wouldn’t be the same without a little nip to warm your bones, and who wants to toast your latest promotion with a stale cup of office kitchen coffee?

The best flask styles

So now that we’ve established that there are few places a flask doesn’t come in handy, let’s talk style. Whipping out a pint of Ketel One from your bag ranks right up there on the tacky scale with skulking away from what’s-his-name’s place with your panties stuffed in your purse. You need a flask that says “class act” or one that purrs, “Hey baby, wanna share a drink?” Decide what you want your flask to say about you, and let’s go shopping.

For the animal in you: furry faux leopard flask, $7

When you feel like a bad girl, a very, very bad girl: coral faux-croc, personalized women’s hip flask, $17 on Easy

Oh so coy: This tricky number looks like binoculars but unscrew the lens and fill’er up baby. Barnocular flask, $13

Now THAT’S what I call a mini-bar: This black case conceals three bottle compartments, a silver serving tray and all the equipment you need to produce perfect martinis on the road. Concession Express Portable Bar, $80

When you feel dainty: This flask comes complete with a shot glass so you can be very ladylike when you’re knocking back a few. And it’s under $10 for Prime members on Amazon! $9.75

When you want to look like you’re in high demand. The smartphone flask is the ultimate not-so-high-tech accessory, $8

When you feel ready to flaunt your dependence on alcohol, this polished copper flask really helps you put it out there, $35

Now that you know which hip flask to buy, here are some suggestions for how to fill it

Why we need a hip flask now more than ever

We originally published this story by Melissa Willbanks in 2007. The world has changed a great deal since then but there’s one thing that has not: the usefulness of a hip flask. In fact, you could argue that hip flasks are more necessary today than ever. So for that reason, we’ve updated this story to help you find that hip flask that suits your personal style and your love affair with whatever hootch you need to get you through the evening news.