As you may know, we at ELLE.com care a great deal about fashion and accessories. Whether we’re deciding what to wear to a fall wedding, a girls’ trip, or romantic getaway, packing light—even for the weekend—is not quite our style (I mean, just think of all the photo opps involved). So, we take our travel bags very seriously.
Instead of schlepping around a worn-out duffel bag, upgrade your travel aesthetic with a chic carryall that says “I’m an adult”—even if your long weekend is filled with questionable decisions. There are timeless leather totes to adequately hold your essentials, plus elegant duffles (peep our favorite Gucci-fied version) and sleek carry-on cases perfect for anyone who loves to have options. Set up your OOO auto-reply and shop our roundup of 22 travel bags, here.
Amazon reviewers agree that this genuine leather bag is a luxurious bargain. The roomy design includes a pouch for your laptop plus three pockets to hold small items like your phone, keys, and wallet.
Is your forecast cloudy with a chance of rain? Stay dry with Rains’ weatherproof tote featuring adjustable slider buckles on the sides for extra security.
Orange you glad you chose this matchy-matchy set? In addition to being covered with sleek (faux) alligator leather, the travel backpack and duffel duo comes with plenty of useful compartments and protective features like base feet to prevent scratching.
Head-turning style at a penny-pinching price point. Offered in over a dozen fun colors and prints, the style has five small pockets and a separate shoe compartment for optimal storage possibilities.
If you’re looking for a basic travel bag, Everlane makes the best staples, like this option made from 100 percent recycled materials. Able to be worn three ways, it includes a padded laptop sleeve, two water bottle holders, and an exterior zip pocket. Plus, it can easily connect to your luggage.
Backed by over 3,000 reviews and a 4.5-star rating, this canvas style has a separate compartment for shoes, six handy pockets, and a detachable shoulder strap for versatility. If this color combo isn’t for you, there are six other variations available on Amazon Prime. Click, click.
Actress and Instagram sweetheart Shay Mitchell thought of everything when it came to this bag, which comes in not two, but three different versions. There’s the classic weekender, the mini weekender, and the convertible weekender, which goes from travel bag to day bag simply by detaching the bottom compartment. Also included is a removable, padded laptop sleeve, easy-access exterior pockets, and a trolley sleeve for attaching the bag to your suitcase.
It’s the O.G. bag you packed for middle school slumber parties but with a grown-up look. (Although, they make the weekender in the classic Vera Bradley prints, too, and who are we to condemn paisley?) Made with 50 percent recycled cotton, the classic piece has a whopping 10 pockets to help you stay effortlessly organized.
If you’d rather spend your money on the clothes going in the bag or the travel itself...well, you do make a good point. This versatile, under-$40 weekend bag will get the job done featuring a large main compartment and two internal pockets. Plus, it has a detachable crossbody strap.
If you’re looking to invest in a bag that will stand the test of time, try Metier. The London-based brand is all about quality, craftsmanship, and thoughtful details (like a hidden exterior pouch and interior pockets for your laptop, sunglasses, and toiletries).
Sized for the overhead bin and equipped with USB charging capabilities (so your phone, laptop, and AirPods can all stay juiced), this durable bag is the perfect travel companion. Inside is a special compression system and water-resistant laundry bag to make packing a cinch.
You won’t have to worry about mistaking this bold bag for anyone else’s at the baggage claim. The vibrant, zippered style also comes with a luggage-compatible sleeve and detachable mesh pouch for easy storage.
This bag is available in an array of shades and materials, but we love the option to personalize any of them with your initials. In terms of function, it has adjustable side tabs, three interior pockets, and one large exterior pouch for storing grab-and-go items.
If a basic leather bag isn’t for you, try Mifland’s paint-splattered option. The roll-down, buckled design adds a little something extra, while the spacious main compartment should hold most everything you need.
This giant nylon bag is made for those whose packing style is “stuff as much inside as possible.” There’s a top zipper closure and easy-access exterior pocket, and for convenient storage, the bag can easily pack down into the included pouch when you’re not using it.
A backpack that packs like a suitcase? More of this kind of ingenuity, please. It’s loaded with plenty of other neat features, too, like a designated pouch for your tech, an adjustable garment compression panel designed to secure clothes and prevent wrinkling, and a special pocket for keeping wet items away from the rest of your belongings.
Louis Vuitton’s iconic luggage never goes out of style. Not only is the look très chic, but the wheeled style should easily roll through security and is completely flat inside so you can make the most of your space. Bonus: It has a lock to keep items safe.
The way this vintage Chanel bag will make you feel like Paris Hilton in the aughts? Priceless. Two zippered pockets also make it easy to keep your phone and lip gloss accessible at a moment’s notice.
At some point in your life you should own a quality leather tote bag. This one is handcrafted from Italian Vitello leather with minimal detailing, an inner pocket, and a delicate leather strap for fastening the bag shut.
Justine Carreon is the market editor at ELLE.com covering fashion, Dutch ovens, and fashion again. When she isn’t approaching style through a modern, accessible lens, she’s scouring eBay for vintage Levi’s and pretending she knows how to surf. Before joining ELLE.com in 2015 she worked as a freelance writer and stylist in New York City.
Meg is the Associate Fashion Commerce Editor at ELLE.com where she researches trends, tests products, and looks for answers to all your burning questions. She also co-writes a monthly column, Same Same But Different. Meg has previously written for Cosmopolitan and Town & Country. Her passions include travel, buffalo sauce, and sustainability. She will never stop hoping for a One Direction reunion tour.
Sam Peters is a Senior Commerce Editor at Hearst covering fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Her writing has appeared in WWD, Footwear News, Real Simple, PopSugar and Bridal Guide, among others. She enjoys unpacking the latest trends and testing and reviewing some of the most innovative, emerging products on the market.