Christina, bear in mind that preparedness is not about carrying a kit, it´s a life style. That kit is a usefull accessory. I´d also recommend the low profile approach. When you just carry your equippment the "why" takes care of itsself. Most people invite enough mishaps to let you show that you´re not crazy.
As an artist you´re expected to be creative. So there´s no need to be embarrassed when you have your own style instead of merely following a fashion.

BTW:
I do carry one of my kits whenever I leave flat. In my office people stopped making stupid jokes about my equipment after a very short time. My Gerber Multiplier even earned me an invitation to have some delicious canned meat when our secretary forgot to bring her can opener <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.