Recruitment days are long, physical, and full of things nobody warns you to bring. Here's the real list, not the aesthetic one.
In your bag every single day: a phone charger or battery pack (you'll be on your phone between rounds more than you'd think, coordinating with your group), blister pads or moleskin (put them on before your feet hurt, not after), a small pack of tissues, deodorant, a travel-size mint or gum, cash or a card for any food breaks, and a printed or saved copy of your schedule in case your phone dies.
Comfort items that matter more than fashion ones: flats or a backup pair of shoes to change into between houses (your feet will thank you, and nobody sees your shoes once you're inside), a hair tie on your wrist at all times, and a portable fan or handheld one if your school's recruitment happens in late summer heat.
What to actually skip carrying: a full purse (a small crossbody or clutch is plenty, you don't need your whole bag), excessive jewelry that jingles or snags, anything you'd be upset to lose track of in a crowded house.
The unglamorous essentials: protein bars or snacks stashed in your car or bag (rounds run long and you will get hangry), a water bottle for the car, and a change of clothes or extra deodorant in your car for a quick refresh between rounds if your school's schedule allows a break.
The one thing everyone forgets: a real conversation with your parents or roommate about pickup logistics and check-ins, recruitment days run later and more unpredictably than people expect, and having a plan for "what if a round runs long" saves everyone a stressful phone call.