Regardless if you’re on team carry-on or checked luggage, a travel handbag is the essential that unifies the masses. The requirements are universal: these carryalls must be spacious enough to store essentials like laptops, airplane toiletries, passports, and any miscellaneous gadgets—but they should also complement your personal style. And, preferably, be versatile enough that they can be carried throughout your trip.
Vogue’s Guide to the Best Travel Bags
The travel handbag I use religiously checks off all these boxes. Demellier’s Stockholm tote entered my life earlier this year and we’ve been inseparable ever since. Aside from the fact that it’s gorgeous—crafted in chocolate in a bowling-bag silhouette—the functionality means I’ve been relying on it for every single one of my trips, from long-haul journeys to quick overnight getaways. The roomy interior has a dedicated laptop compartment, multiple pockets for organization, and even a hidden magnetic slip pocket on the interior (this is where I conceal my passport and it’s changed my life).
Ideally, this is what your travel handbag should do for you. Make you feel proud to carry it around the airport, be durable enough you can slip it under the seat in front of you, and offer plenty of space and organizational details that it’s near effortless to locate easy-to-misplace personal items like keys and hand cream.
We combed through hundreds of styles, comparing technical features as well as sizes and materials for all. The result? A dozen travel-ready styles worthy of praise—which we go into greater detail, below.
DeMellier
The Stockholm tote
Demellier’s Stockholm tote bag was handcrafted from 27 individual pieces of suede, resulting in an ultra luxurious hand feel. The elongated leather handles hold their shape beautifully, and the bottom studs keep it upright when placed on a surface. If you don’t like suede, it also comes in smooth leather.
Coach
Soft Empire Carryall bag 40
This vintage-inspired silhouette is made from natural grain leather and is roomy enough to hold a 13-inch laptop. There’s a snap pocket for holding essentials as well as interior buckles to expand the side gussets for even more space. If you don’t want to hold it by the handles, there’s a detachable crossbody strap—we love it a convertible bag option.
