Glamorous/Designer Flying Travel Bag Recommendations (Handbag Not Carry on)

[SantaClausMortificado]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good stylish handbag for taking on to a long haul flight?

I'm looking for something which matches this wishe list:

1. Stylish looking with a bit of designer cachet. Doesn't have to be a known label as long as it looks fabulous.
   
2. Big enough to hold a small laptop, large over ear noise cancelling headphones, large/thick book, bottle of water, phone etc. So reasonable sized but not gargantuan or over heavy/massive.
   
3. A couple of interior pockets including a phone pocket.
   
4. Not "open" at the top - ie. fastenable so thieves can't just dip hand in in the airport queue.
   
5. Comfortable to carry - preferably with top handles that are big enough to go over the shoulder but can also be carried with arm straight down or in crook of arm.
   

Is this a fantasy? I often see women looking fabulously elegant with a smart bag large enough to hold stuff but never seem to find one myself.

I really hate that Longchamp style so don't want anything that looks like a shopping bag.

Please help me!

Is it the case that you can only get that airport style "look" if you have an open topped bag?!?!

[SantaClausMortificado]

I also have a pathological hatred of Michael Kors or anything "overlabelled" like LV.

[Tote]

I've given up and stick everything in a nice rucksack!

[plumstone]

I use an All Saints onewww.allsaints.com/women/handbags/allsaints-zoku-n_s-tote/?colour=5&category=21594 - not sure if the link works!! Anywho - I use it for work and carry on luggage - leather, looks great, shoulder handle and a longer one, zip, inside pocket and phone bit on the side. not too heavy and on sale at the moment - which is distressing as I paid full price!!!!

[botemp]

I've been looking at the Knomo Maddox bag but I haven't seen it in person yet and would like to feel the weight of it with contents first and the whole as featured in Vogue PR has put me off a bit but it looks to be the ideal of functional work bag with all the pockets, zips, etc. without looking like your average laptop carrying bag.

[FrustratedFrugal]

I used a Bayswater as an inflight bag when I travelled a lot, it was perfect. No shoulder strap but I could have asked a cobbler to make me one but never felt I needed it that much.

[SantaClausMortificado]

I already have some Knomo bags and they are great but I wanted something a bit smarter/more designer stylish.

Bayswater I will look at but as you say I'd really like a shoulder strap for airport convenience.

Any other suggestions?

[London1975]

How about this..

www.katespade.co.uk/uk/totes/leewood-place-rainn/invt/pxru7344-001

Kate spade I find are really well made

[UncomfortableBadger]

Having this same conundrum myself at the moment, except I already have a Bayswater which I specifically don't want to use whilst travelling.

The Bayswater is a super heavy bag by itself and really doesn't fit comfortably as a shoulder bag. My ideal travel bag would let me be hands free and would be fairly lightweight.

Am erring towards a leather Poppy East West tote from Modalu - currently reduced from £100 to £35 on their website. I'm just concerned about the straps being strong enough...

[Ratonastick]

It's very dull but I have an M&S autograph leather bag just for travelling. Funnily it came up on another thread today. It is absolutely cavernous, holds everything, has a shoulder and hand straps and is perfect for the job. Not MASSIVELY stylish but just about manages to do that cool, effortless travel thing (I know what you mean OP).

[MissTeriName]

Thank you @plumstone - I've just ordered the All Saints one 😊

I've often used my huge Chloe Marcie as a 'flying bag' (tried to find a link but it doesn't seem to be available now - it's a few years old).
Looks a bit like this.
It fits everything you need, has a secure closure and is gorgeous. But the leather is very soft so that isn't too good for manhandling through airports etc. And it's a bit like a black hole inside so you can't quickly find anything, and it's tricky to hold while you rummage. Still love it though.

[Yakari]

I know you said not long champ but I assume you mean the fabric ones.
I travel with this http://us.longchamp.com/handbags/longchamp-3d/tote-bag-1285770
In a metallic grey. Expensive but I travel a lot so have more than got my value. Doesn't zip but never had a problem. What I do like is it has a rectangular structure which means it sits well with everything in it almost like a case and it's huge. Not as convinced about the current colors but that's maybe just me

Another option which you could look at is jaeger - my previous bag came from there, lasted years and very timeless. What about
http://www.jaeger.co.uk/brooklyn-leather-tote/791029W-00100-ITM.html?cgid=accessories-bags
But again no zip - odd I've never noticed how rare that seems to be in totes

[HolgerDanske]

If you find a bag you love that is ideal in every other way but doesn't have a zip, you could always get a big handbag organiser or pouch to fit inside it, as long as it is zipped you will have the added security you need.

[plumstone]

MissTeri, Well done - its fab - I got round the black whole issue by trying to have brightly coloured phone case, wallet and diary as they are the things that I need the most of!!!

[Starypjs]

I've got a modalu pippa and I had a cross body strap made to give me options!

[SantaClausMortificado]

I've done more googlisation and I think that Givenchy may have the answer!

[botemp]

I have a Nightingale, and while it does fit everything in and I've used it for laptop, files, etc. the bag really isn't made for the weight so I try not to use that too much for such purposes. It's also strangely heavy to carry by the short straps, just in case you were looking at that one.

[SantaClausMortificado]

Thanks Botemp. It was the Givenchy Antigona in the medium I was looking at but I need to go and inspect it in the flesh though as I don't think you really get a good sense of a bag online.

It looks a good size in the pictures and v. stylish.

But that's good to know about the bag not taking weight and I will bear that in mind when I look at it.

This one:
www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/givenchy-antigona-sugar-medium-leather-tote_129-3000831-BB05118012/?previewAttribute=Mastic+greige

I am still looking though so if any MNers have bags to suggest do fire away.

[botemp]

The Antigona is very structured, I find it too formal on me personally but have eyed it in the past and it isn't too heavy. It is quite a popular bag in certain circles (I think the popularity sprouted with the Kardashians sporting them) but I think the hype around it seems to be subsiding a bit. I'm not sure how it would work as a work/travel bag. The purse forum will have lots of threads on it I'm sure.

Another classic and quite versatile one is the 3.1 Philip Lim 31 hr bag (see attached pics), but if you like the structured look of the Givenchy it may not be your cup of tea.

[SantaClausMortificado]

(I think the popularity sprouted with the Kardashians sporting them)

Oh no! I didn't know that and it's put me right off!!!! I have now looked at them and I liked it for the purpose I want it because it is zipped topped, thick leather likely to hold it's shape and like a tardis inside. There is a massive amount of space in there.

But I was then thinking maybe it is just TOO big to have any other use - in other words, I would not really use it as a handbag except for flying or overnight type trips - which is a bit of a waste considering the price.

I'm entirely confused!!!

I'm so envious of these women you see at the airport looking all stylish with their stylish travelling handbag- but they do all seem to have these open topped totes which I don't want. I really like Prada bags but they don't do a zip topped one of suitable size and nor do Burberry - they are all these open tote types.

I will check out the Philip Lim.

[fluffypigs]

I have a Whistles Regent tote that I love - it is open topped but has a large zip compartment.

[Longislandicetee]

OP, my tuppence worth...

I have the Givenchy Antigona in a cashmere grey. It's gorgeous but as someone else said it is too structured and formal to use as a travelling bag. I find both the Mulberry Bayswater and Chloe Marcie too heavy. Someone mentioned the 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli, I find the large is a bit too large and the medium is a bit clunky for travel.

My favourite traveling bag is Smythson Nancy, I have it in 2 colours and it fits everything in for a work trip. Don't think they do the Nancy any more but they have the Eliot which I think is lovely. Second is Balenciaga Giant City. It's perfect for travelling in that the longer you use it, the slouchier it gets.

While you said no Michael Kors, I also have the jetset in both medium and large. I understand they are ubiquitous but never understand the snobbiness on MK bags. They are genuinely perfect travel bags. I have used the large on family holidays when I am hauling the kids crap and medium when it's just my own.

[botemp]

You didn't mention a budget before but since you're looking at antigona prices, have you looked at Celine? I think the belt tote would make for a good travel bag and has a zip too. You can only buy them in store.

[SantaClausMortificado]

Thank you ladies.

Blingy I very much like the look of the Smythson Eliot in large. I will go and have a look at that one. I didn't like the leather on the Giant City and wasn't that taken with the style of it.

Fluffy I want a bag that closes completely at the top even if has a zipped compartment still is a bit open from a pick pocket perspective. I would probably want to put my laptop in one of the outside pockets which is no good if it isn't zipped.

It amazes me how many women have these kind of bags especially in London. I've lost count of the times I've been places and seen into a bag and thought if I were a thief that wallet/phone/etc is easy pickings. This is all the more so if you are travelling.

Botempt the size is reasonably good but I don't like the danglers!!!

[RonaldMcDonald]

I am saddened by your LV hatred
I use a LV Cabas Alto. It could fit anything I could ever possibly need inside and the zip is the strongest thing on earth.

I believe it has had me bumped up and waved through more things on holiday than I have any other explanation

[RonaldMcDonald]

This guy - now extinct so some good deals to be had with decent vintage resellers
Zip closer across the top