15 Chic, Well-Traveled Women Share Their Go-To Travel Bags

Alongside committing to a miles loyalty program, a solid travel bag is one of the best investments you can make if you’re someone whose monthly schedule is punctuated by red-eye flights and airport transfers. The specifics of what said travel bag looks like are up to you—a toss-up between compact handbag and roomy tote—but it does take a little market research to land on your Goldilocksian perfect match.

Or you can cut the line, and go straight to the experts. Between zipping around to market appointments and fashion weeks, shooting new campaigns, and booking it across the world for interviews and events, the fashion set knows its way around a travel accessory. We asked them for their recommendations, amassing a compendium of soft suede and structured leather pieces in the process. Their favorite bags blend form and function, with plenty of room for all the little essentials that make life at 40,000 feet a tad more enjoyable. (The key lies in organizational pouches; many, many organizational pouches.)

Ready for takeoff? Ahead, 15 fashion girl-approved travel bags from brands like The Row, Phoebe Philo, and L.L. Bean.

Angela Gahng, founder of Almina Concept

“My go-to travel bag is the Margaux 15 in black suede. It holds an incredible amount, which makes all the difference when I’m flying with my daughter and need everything within reach.The suede is so soft and flexible that I can scrunch it into whatever space I have. No matter how much it gets tossed around, it keeps its shape and just looks more beautiful worn in. I also usually unbuckle the sides, which gives it a more relaxed shape and lets me fit even more.”

Linda Cui Zhang, fashion director, Nordstrom

“This tote travels well atop my carry-on as a cabin bag and effortlessly commutes with me from days in the office to market appointments. It gets better with every use, too.”

Roopal Patel, luxury fashion consultant

“My travel bag of choice is the large Le City bag from Balenciaga. I first saw it on my friend Vira at the Balenciaga showroom, and had to have it. First, I love the design: It's cool, it’s got edge, and in nylon, it’s perfect for travel. I like that not too many people have it. I travel with a lot of pouches (for beauty, tech, and supplements), and this can fit them all, plus another bag if needed. It also has a shoulder strap, which comes in handy when traveling with multiple handbags.”

Tessa Tran, CEO & creative director of Chan Luu

“The Pot Cabas is my carryall bag for the plane—really, for everything. I prefer less structured bags, and this one feels easy but still pulled together. It’s also not obscenely big to carry to a dinner. It comes with a detachable black suede pouch, which I sometimes use as a clutch, but I also typically carry the two-tone Pocket Pouch inside the tote with my emergency wired headphones, tape measure, Post-Its, two pens, Japanese mints, and a lighter. Both pouches work as evening bags when I’m traveling and want to pack light. I just returned from a seven week trip around the world and got by with only the tote and pouches, which says it all.”

Cristy Mantilla, co-founder of Éliou

“I recently discovered this brand Meaden, based out of Amsterdam, that I've been in love with. The bags are really understated, but in a timeless, classic way—they're so well-made. I use the Yumi Sling bag in Umber for work every single day since it fits my laptop but isn't so big that I lose things in it. I've got my eye on the Tote version next, since it's bigger and can hold more things for weekend trips.”

Sarah Park, buyer at Bergdorf Goodman

“What I love about using this particular bag as my travel bag is that it doubles as an understated yet elevated work bag for my destination—while still being roomy enough to dump all my in-flight necessities. It's spacious enough to hold my laptop, and I keep several mesh zip bags inside to separate my cords, chargers, and snacks. The bag is pretty minimalist and doesn’t have any internal pockets, save for a removable suede pochette that can double as a little day clutch.”

Gaëlle Drevet, founder of The Frankie Shop

“I’m the multi-pouch type; my ideal travel bag is basically a bag of bags. I travel with one giant pouch that sits on top of my carry-on, filled with smaller pouches for absolutely everything: electronics, toiletries, makeup, keys… all the little things I need. I'm all about compartments. I like to be prepared, and I need to know exactly where everything is. Organized chaos, but very organized.”

Anna Jewsbury, founder of COMPLETEDWORKS

“I love a bag that manages to be both practical and just the right amount of frivolous at the same time. This one opens out to accommodate an improbable amount of worldly possessions— including a large laptop—without looking remotely utilitarian. Everything is pleasingly easy to excavate, and when a little discretion is required, it ties shut with a bow. It has even elicited compliments from fellow travelers in the security queue, proving that aesthetic appreciation can survive even the indignities of airport infrastructure.”

Thelma West, founder and designer of Thelma West Diamonds

“I’m always drawn to pieces with beautiful proportions, and this Victoria Beckham tote caught my eye immediately. I love its almost architectural shape and the way the handles flow into the design. I tend to carry far too much when I travel, so I appreciate a bag that holds everything without looking or feeling cumbersome. It’s practical and striking, and I can carry it every day, wherever I am.”

Pirrie Wright, brand strategist and fashion PR

“I love that I can technically stuff this bag for a quick weekend trip, but it has a slim enough profile to walk about the city with it if I need to. It has great pockets, and a perfect slot for a laptop.”

Emilia Petrarca, writer

“This tote is a classic. I love its size and durability—mine has been through a lot. I usually fill it with shoes, handbags, and my laptop for a trip. The best part, though, is that you can monogram it. Mine says: PRADA.”

Amy Sall, author

“Depending on the kind of trip (work or leisure) and how long I’ll be away, I rotate between a few staple bags as my personal item. The two I reach for most are my Totême T-Lock and my A.P.C. Drummer. The T-Lock is one of my everyday bags for just about any occasion, but I love traveling with it on trips where I’m not working and don’t need my computer. It’s compact yet roomy enough to hold all my essentials, which makes it ideal as a personal bag on flights.

For longer trips or anything work-related, I bring the Drummer. It fits my laptop and travel essentials with room to spare. I recently took it to a conference in Accra and then on to Dakar for a longer personal trip, where I still needed to get work done, and it handled both seamlessly. They also easily hold a book, a notebook, and my planner—all of which I never travel without. I’m not too precious with my bags, and both hold up beautifully, which matters when you’re tossing your bag into a TSA bin or tucking it under your seat.”

Chloé Bartoli, founder of Éterne

“The Balenciaga men’s Travel City Bag is my ultimate travel companion. It’s incredibly spacious but not bulky, and I love how versatile it is. The leather is unbelievably soft and supple, making it easy to fold and pack away without worrying about ruining its shape. You can carry it comfortably over your shoulder or wear it crossbody with the detachable strap. It also sits perfectly on top of a rolling carry-on suitcase, making navigating the airport effortless. What I love most is that the bag doubles as my everyday bag once I arrive at my destination. It’s the perfect balance of practicality and style, which is exactly what I look for when traveling.”

Estelle Lubino, social media director

“I love how versatile this bag is. It’s a hybrid tote that transforms into a vest, embodying the brand’s mantra: bags to wear, not to carry. The design is functional without compromising on style and it works with pretty much every outfit—especially if you gravitate towards a more technical, gorpcore-inspired aesthetic.

For travel, the detail makes all the difference. The hidden pockets keep everything organized and the front pocket is perfect for things I need to reach for quickly, like my passport, gum, or lip balm. It also has rings that let you attach accessories, like a water bottle; such a practical touch when you’re on the go. It’s the kind of bag that’s just as great for navigating an airport as it is for exploring a new city.”

Pip Durell, founder of With Nothing Underneath

“An Anya holdall is the perfect cabin bag and a forever piece. I love the color combo of this one, and the personalisation is naturally a cute touch. Anya knows how to travel—another favorite is the pills box, which is perfect for a vitamin obsessive like me.”