11 April 2019
Travel

My favorite bags for travel

I’m not going to lie, I love bags as much as the next girl. Lately I’ve had a few friends asking what bags I use for travel, especially when trying to only travel with a carry-on. I’ve broken down my tried-and-true favorites below, and shared an Instagram story in conjunction with this post to show them to you all (it’s saved it to a highlight labeled ‘luggage’ on my profile in case you missed it in stories!).

For weekend trips, I typically bring my roller, a backpack, and a crossbody. For longer trips, like 8-10 days, I bring a roller, backpack, tote, and crossbody. I’ve detailed all the reasons why below! One factor is what type of traveling I’m doing…if I’m going by car or train and there are no bag restrictions, it’s a little easier than flying where there are strict rules about luggage and size.

I tried to include where I purchased items, if it wasn’t direct from the retailer but from a different source.

My necessities:

  • Rolling Suitcase
  • Backpack
  • Tote
  • Crossbody
  • Toiletries
  • Packing Cubes
  • Etc.

ROLLER

Let’s begin with the obvious. For the first half of my study abroad, I traveled every weekend with just a North Face backpack (like, my old school one so it was compact). This worked okay when combined with my Longchamp, but I got sick of stuffing everything in it and carrying it on my back. Over my spring break I broke down and bought a 30 euro roller in Salzburg, and it was probably the best 30 euros I ever spent, hah! It was so nice to roll my things around instead of lugging. And didn’t prove to be an issue when navigating train stations or cobblestones. My back thanked me.

Fast forward to last Christmas, my parents gifted me a TravelPro roller (purchased at Macy’s), international sized so I could use it as a carry-on in Europe (hey, Ryanair). I LOVE it! The internal pockets keep me organized, it’s hard shell protects everything inside, and the four wheels make it easy to walk with. Plus, the built-in lock means I don’t have to worry about having an extra luggage lock.

For being hard shelled, I can fit a surprising amount of things inside it (i.e. souvenirs, you know me!). I was obsessed with getting an Away for the longest time, but as Ashley from Everyday Pursuits pointed out, functionality is key and TravelPro is the luggage of flight attendants. They know their stuff!

BACKPACK

I’m pretty stuck on using a backpack as my personal carry-on bag, because it’s easiest to be hands-free in the airport. I have a small Calvin Klein backpack (purchased at T.J. Maxx) that always fits perfectly under the airplane seat in front of me. I only wish it had a side pocket for my water bottle. Other than that, it’s great because it has a zip pocket in the interior for my passport, and is a sleek and simple design so it matches any travel outfit. Another bonus of having a backpack is that it can be used on daytime excursions. I was so glad I had mine when we took a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher and I had to pack layers and my camera!

P.S. I always put my toiletries in my backpack so that they can be easily taken out when going through security! And in the case that I get separated from my roller, I’ll still have my contacts, toothbrush, and other essentials.

TOTE

My Longchamp Le Pliage tote is my best travel bag for so many reasons. It’s quite literally been EVERYWHERE with me. Since I use my backpack for a carry on, I typically fold my Longchamp and pack it to use once I arrive at my destination. It’s a great day-bag because it fits my camera, water bottle, and really whatever else I pick up throughout the day (in Paris, that means baguettes). It’s best quality, though, is that it’s pick-pocket proof since it only has one zippered point of entry. If you’re headed to Europe, wait to purchase your bag there, where they’re more affordable.

CROSSBODY

I always bring a small crossbody on every trip. They’re perfect for heading to dinner or out at night. I also tend to wear mine as a carry-on with my backpack (I know, it’s cheating the one personal bag rule). My trusty French Connection (purchased at Nordstrom Rack) has a zippered interior pocket where I keep my passport, great for train rides when no one cares how many bags you have!

TOILETRIES

I haven’t quite mastered my toiletry bag game, but I’m close. I have a favorite Lululemon toiletry bag (sadly retired) I’ve been using for two years now and love. It has a hook so it can be hung in the bathroom, and has a removable clear pouch for liquids (which is now cloudy as the Dublin security guy pointed out to me). I use that bag for my everyday essentials, and then use a separate clear pouch for my shower essentials.

PACKING CUBES

With my new suitcase and its bountiful pockets, I don’t use many packing cubes. However one of my best tricks is to use one for my pajamas and sleep sack/eye mask. This way all my nighttime items are in one place at the end of long and exhausting travel days! They can easily be bought on Amazon.

ETC.

I keep my chargers, adapters, and headphones in a bright pink zip pouch, which is easy to find in my bag. I also love my monogrammed leather catchall from Mark & Graham. This is one new thing I don’t know how I lived (traveled) without. It snaps into a flat piece of leather, but can be folded up into a tray. I always worried about where to put my rings and glasses and other little things like that when I traveled, and this solved it! Finally, my Port and Polish pillbox has become an everyday necessity, which is especially helpful on the road. It’s a stylish pillbox I found thanks to Lemon Stripes,which several friends have purchased as well! Also can’t forget a laundry bag, shoe bags, and a spot for your jewelry. This is my dream travel jewelry case.

Travel
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