Packing light isn’t for everyone. But long weekends spent upstate, a few days in Miami or Palm Springs, or even a quick work trip require packing designer luggage with thoughtful intention. You probably don’t want to lug around a supersize suitcase (especially if it means checking a bag for a short flight), but you also need more than the clothes on your back and a tote. That’s where the best weekender bags come in. The name says it all: Each one is intended to fit a few outfits, two or three pairs of shoes, and maybe a bikini. But, not all styles are created equal.
“Travel is hard enough in today's world, and your bag should ease and enhance your journey,” says Melissa Morris, co-founder and creative director of the luxury accessories brand Métier. “To me, this means that on top of being organized, a weekender bag must also be super lightweight and have the hidden touches that make you feel good.” For Morris, that means designing bags with thoughtful places to store your phone, chargers, sunglasses, or any other small items that may get lost in transit. “When I was initially designing my collection, I became fascinated with boat design,” she says. “I loved how you can elegantly fit so much into such a small space. I realised that they really utilise the walls of a space to maximise the space itself, so I put pockets lining the walls of the inside of the bags.”
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The silhouette and material you choose are also important when selecting the best weekender bag for you. A wheeled mini-suitcase might be ideal if you’re heading to the airport, while a sturdy duffel will easily fit in the trunk of an already-packed car. Each bag in our curated list was chosen based on style, functionality, and ease of use. That way, you have one less thing to worry about when you head out of town.
Ahead, shop the 14 best weekender bags to help you travel in style.
Ganni's soft duffle can work as a simple gym bag or an easy weekender with a practical shoulder strap and top handles.
Product Specs
[["Colour","Black"],["Material","Recycled Polyester"],["Size","17\"W x 14\"H x 8\"D"]]
"Without a doubt, my go-to bag for travel is my Perriand Weekend with my Stowaway clipped inside," says Morris. "The Perriand Weekend keeps me super organised when I travel and then when I arrive at my destination, I just unclip my Stowaway from inside my Perriand and head straight out."
Product Specs
[["Colour","Cacao, Linen, Marrakesh, Taupe, Dark Cherry, Black, Chocolate"],["Material","Leather, Suede, Linen"],["Size","19\"Wx12\"Hx10\"D"]]
The Row's take on the duffel is every bit as luxurious as you'd expect. It's made of grained leather and has a practical internal pocket.
Product Specs
[["Colour","Black"],["Material","Leather"],["Size","19\"Wx8.6\"Hx11.5D"]]
Want a durable bag for camping or time outdoors? This style from The North Face, made with water-resistant coated recycled polyester canvas, is built to last. Plus, its straps allow it to be worn as a backpack for easy travel.
Product Specs
[["Colour","Orange"],["Material","Water-resistant coated recycled polyester canvas"],["Size","16.5\"W x 8\"H x 9.5\"D"]]
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BEST RAFFIA BAG - Proenza Schouler White Label Morris XL Leather-Trimmed Raffia Tote
Headed somewhere warm? Then you'll want a tote that can carry your clothes and then serve double duty as a beach bag.
Product Specs
[["Colour","Blue"],["Material","Raffia"],["Size","15.7\"Wx13.8\"Hx10.6\"D"]]
Travel in designer style with a logo bag that's big enough to hold all of your travel necessities. The canvas and leather combination is durable, so you don't have to worry about being too precious with it.
Product Specs
[["Colour","Tan"],["Material","Canvas"],["Size","19.5\"Wx11\"Hx5.5\"D"]]
Minimalists and fashion-forward travelers alike will enjoy the simplicity of this oversized tote from New York label Khaite. The top handles and structured shape are elegant and functional, perfect for a quick trip.
Product Specs
[["Colour","Beige"],["Material","Leather"],["Size","14.2\"Wx10.2\"Lx9.4\"D"]]
For someone who prefers a rolling bag: The Jaunt is just the thing. The small suitcase can be carried on a plane or easily squeezed into a tight travel space. Bonus feature: It's customizable.
Reviewers Say: "Seems sturdy, holds a lot, and is unique in coloration so I can't lose it amongst a sea of black wheelie bags."
Product Specs
[["Colour","Black, Slate, Blue, Lilac, Sky, Green, Red, Grey"],["Material","Polycarbonate Shell"],["Size","14.25\"Wx22\"H x x 9\"D"]]
Have fun with your weekender bag. This boldly printed tote will be hard to lose track of in transit. It's made of cotton canvas so it will hold up through tough travel.
Product Specs
[["Colour","Black"],["Material","Canvas"],["Size","24\"Wx15\"Hx7\"D"]]
Everlane's functional tote is designed to fit the most items possible, perfect for overpackers. This neutral shade will stand out amid a sea of all-black luggage.
Reviewers Say:"Just took this bag and a carry-on to a getaway weekend in NYC. Worked great, lots of room attaches to luggage easily."
Product Specs
[["Colour","Warm Quartz, Charcoal, Nutria, Black, Ocean"],["Material","100% Recycled polyester"],["Size","7.3\u2033 W x 14.2\u2033 H x 19.5\u2033 D"]]
Keep it simple with this Cuyana Weekender canvas bag that's both lightweight and practical. Bonus: Any of the bag's color palettes will go perfectly with your entire wardrobe.
Product Specs
[["Colour","Black, Grey"],["Material","Canvas"],["Size","20.5\"WWx13\"Hx7\"D"]]
Keep things simple. This sleek bag from Givenchy is just a supersized iteration of a classic handbag silhouette. Layer it with a coordinated purse to use on your weekend outings.
Product Specs
[["Colour","Black"],["Material","Leather"],["Size","19.3\"Wx11.8\"Hx6.3\"D"]]
There's a reason L.L. Bean's iconic Boat and Tote has stuck around for so long. It's a practical carryall that you can easily throw everything into in the rush to get out of town.
Reviewers Say: "I've owned well over 15 L.L. Bean Boat and Totes in various sizes. These rugged and heavy-duty totes are by far the most durable and the best tote bags on the market."
Product Specs
[["Colour","Natural"],["Material","Canvas"],["Size","17\"W x 15\"H x 7\"D."]]
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With space for a 15" laptop on top of a weekend's worth of clothes, it's easy to see why this pared-back bag is a favorite among reviewers. When you're traveling for more than a weekend, this bag is just the right size for sliding on top of an Away carry-on suitcase.
Reviewers say: "Great quality. Plenty of room for a long weekend away and honestly very practical for many situations! If you have the money to splurge and travel frequently, I say it’s totally worth it."
Product Specs
[["Colours","Navy, coast, black, shore"],["Materials","Nylon, leather"],["Dimensions","20.9\" x 11.8\" x 9.4\""]]
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This article originally appeared in Harper’s BAZAAR US.