LONGCHAMP: MY PLIAGE L TRAVEL BAG, $520 | AWAY: THE WEEKENDER BAG, $248 | DAGNE DOVER: LANDON NEOPRENE CARRYALL BAG, $345.
If you want to travel light, meaning not checking a bag, and relying on a carry one plus your “personal item,” the key is to have a roomy travel tote bag, more of a weekender bag than a laptop bag, because let’s be honest, you need a lot more space to pack all your essentials. Here are my top 3 favorite big travel tote bags. I have one but have tested the other ones. At some point I probably will have all 3 but I buy things as I need them, otherwise it’s just wasteful. I’m on the road all the time so a travel tote bag is essential for me.
NUMBER ONE: The Longchamp My Pliage L Travel Bag is on my wish list, and I hope to get it soon, hoping Rolf sees this! I want it to custom made it with my initials. My friend has it, I have used it and I can confirm you can fit everything plus it looks beautiful. The straps fit on the carry-on handle so it’s easy to carry. It’s perfect for long-distance travelers, daily commuters, and parents on the go.
NUMBER TWO: My Away weekender bag, I have the older version so mine doesn’t open all the way but it’s pretty roomy. It looks compact but you can fit your laptop, a pair of flats, your make up bag, your toiletries, your chargers a pair of jeans, your smaller bag, the one you will actually wear on the trip plus last minute sweater or tee you packed just in case.
The quality is great and it has the luggage-handle sleeve that makes running around in the airport and a new city easier. The exterior front pocket is perfect to store your phone and keep it secure and accessible. I also like the Away featherlight weekender. It cleans easily.
NUMBER THREE: The Dagne Dover Landon neoprene carryall bag in extra large is also a good option. Many of my friends have it and it packs a lot. You can definitely fit more than my Away weekender because it’s stretchier so you can push a lot more in. I prefer the Away one because this one bends over easily so if you don’t have it full, it bends more and it looks floppy and given the symmetrical person that I am, I like everything structured and just right. It comes in many colors and you can get 15% OFF if you sign up on their website.
Also check out for season sales from Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Shopbop where you can get them at a lower price.
For quick day trips or a quick weekend staycation, I sometimes grab a Trader Joe’s tote bag or my Alo Yoga bag and that’s fine too.
SHOP THE POST