33, maybe it's a state school thing
To go out, it's jeans or shorts, maybe even a denim skirt or khaki skirt, and what we called "bar shirts", which are basically little cute tops, even a little belly if you've got a navel ring.
As for the purse, NO WAY!! The bars or parties are so crowded, that there's nowhere to carry a purse. Of course, in 1996, we didn't go out with our cell phones or anything. Pack of cigarettes, lighter, money, key and gum. Some people would put the keys and gum and lighter in their bras, and cigarettes and money in their pockets!!