One thing I have to admit is… that I love a great bag. Rather its a clutch (my fave), a cute little crossbody or a fabulous weekender, I find that a great durable bag is an essential piece to my closet, especially when I’m traveling. I’m definitely a one bag kinda girl when I hop on a plane. I do it so much that I find it essential to just travel with a carry-on in addition to my handbag or laptop bag for business.
I wasn’t always this way. Nearly twenty years ago, I had traveled with my then boyfriend (which was a fabulous trip by the way) to Hawaii. However upon my arrival back in LA (…and after standing at the luggage turnstile waiting for bags that were apparently not on board (and subsequently lost for over two months), I realized that maybe packing for two and a half weeks for a 1 week stay was not the way to go. Who knew that I would basically just wear cutoff jeans, t-shirts, my favorite slip skirt, flip-flops, bikini and lip gloss for the majority of the trip and not the make-up, stilettos, little black dress, three pairs of jeans, light sweater, light jacket and four other dresses and shirts to choose from? I SMH as I digress…
Seriously though… let’s talk about it. When the weather turns warm and the sun comes out, there’s nothing better than heading out on a weekend getaway. From trips to the beach and hikes in the mountains, spa-ing at a resort or hanging out at a friends place, there are so many great options for getting some much-needed R&R.
But before you embark on your next adventure, it’s crucial to have a travel tote or a weekender that’s both spacious and stylish to hold all your essential items. You want a bag that is a medium-sized and designed to hold enough clothing and essentials for a weekend trip or short getaway. And if you’re real smooth with it (or have access to a washer/dryer), you can still pack in a way that this bag is all you need, even on extended trips. Just FYI, this bag is usually made of durable materials such as canvas (my favorite), leather, vegan leather, or nylon, and may have reinforced handles or a shoulder strap for easy carrying. Some weekender bags may also have wheels for added convenience (really nice for airports).
I’ve gathered some of my favorite Weekender bags that not just durable but easy on the eye to share with you because if its not cute, then 9 times out of 10, it’s staying on that store shelf.
So… here we go. Here’s my top 10 (for now) in no particular order…
- Beis: this company has something for everyone with a ton of all-in-ones that are so stylish you would want one of them even if you knew you weren’t going to use everything (a.ka. me). From weekenders, to baby backpacks, to carry-ons the founder Shay Mitchell definitely knew she had a great thing when she released these to market. Her products are absolutely perfect for any parent to human or pup (did we mention the puppy carrier?) or that individual who is always on the go and needs a lot of different separated areas combined in one case. The company is steadily showcasing new and amazing functional items with the promise to give everyone the opportunity to travel with bags & accessories that wouldn’t break the bank. My favorite right now is their mini weekender.
…. - July: First. Love the name. What I love about July is that this company is all about the essentials. Based in Australia, their products are created in mind of the traveler. A large part of their products are carry-ons and weekenders. They’ve also designed a new wheel and handle housing so that it creates a unique eggshell shape around the corners and easier to guide when walking or perhaps running to a gate. They also have lovely well made carry-all weekenders that fit on your luggage as well.
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.. - Leatherology: If you consider yourself one that loves classic, elevated, design then this company is what you’re looking for. These weekenders as well as other luggage pieces and accessories can easily become staple pieces that accent your style in an elegant way. There’s no fuss or flare, just well thought minimalistic design. In addition, they also offer unique home and office products as well.
. - Yeti: Yes, you heard that right. Its a Yeti, so you know its going to be durable, keep your items warm and dry and get the job done. This is probably one of the best solutions, if you travel cross country, camp outdoors or just on the road quite a bit, dealing with different types of weather. Whether by land or by air, their duffels (weekender version) and crossroads backpacks are a winner and wont let you down.
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. - Away: What I absolutely love about this particular weekender, called The Everywhere Bag is that it opens all the way and lies flat. There aren’t too many (that I have seen) that do that. The majority that I have come across, open extremely wide but not open enough to lay flat for pack/unpacking. It also features a detachable padded shoulder strap with concealable D rings, and top handles sized for carrying it on your shoulder comfortably. And with a full wraparound zip opening for access to its spacious main compartment, it’s a great choice for weekend or business travel.
.. - Monos: Monos’ has a variety of weekenders and luggage that are unique and easy on the eye. The Metro Duffel is a compact weekender bag that impressed us with its roomy interior that fit all of the designated packing items. There wasn’t much room leftover but despite being packed nearly full, the bag remained lightweight and easy to carry with the comfortable shoulder strap and top handles. It also comes with a detachable toiletry bag that latches onto the front of the bag. The bag also has a large zippered pocket on the opposite side of the detachable pouch and there are several interior pockets to store water bottles and smaller items, including a designated laptop sleeve, too.
