Anyone seen any nice weekend/flight bags ?

[Msarsebiscuit]

After assuming that my summer holiday was likely to be a wet weekend in Morecambe ( actually really love Morecambe but still...) I found out that I'm being whisked away to New York - in between being amazed and frantically worrying about which clothes to take, I've been trying to find a bag big enough to carry a load of crap on the plane but not so hideous that I look like a right knob tarting it round the Big Apple.

I like this www.marksandspencer.com/Perfect-Weekend-Collection-Leather-Overnight/dp/B0029TZI8Y but 90 quid is a bit steep and I'd prefer a less boring colour.

So, any of you bunch of sophisticated, urbane travellers know of a weekend bag that fits the bill ?Please and thank you.

Large Longchamp Les Pilages bag with the long handle. Chic and practical.

lots of different colours available too! Plus you can fold it to practically nothing to take out with you should you need to.

Also OP you can get it I'm the small and medium sizes and the medium is quite roomy. Plus it can be used as a day bag.

I got my sister that M&S bag in patent purple and she loves it. It's just the right size.

They usually come out again nearer xmas time. (Last 2 years that's been the case anyway!)

Enjoy NY!!!

Itsgottobebags, thank you ,that looks very good and I love the colour choices - does it have any special compartmenty type bits ? I'm a sucker for compartments.

Mrscumberbatch, I have wanted that bag for YEARS but always stopped myself buying it as I thought £90 was a bit much for a bag I didn't really need. ( also I nearly posted asking specifically for your advice earlier, I'm looking for a labradorite ring for my lovely next door neighbour and I don't know the best place to look ).

This holiday, for all kinds of reasons, has me in a bit of a tizzy.

It has one small pocket (doesn't have a seperate button to close it).

They are worth the money and when the handles soften they sort of mold to your shoulder shape iyswim.

Your lucky neighbour!!

It's all down to taste really as some pieces are modern, some kind of old fashioned....

Google Labradorite ring... find something you like and if you want to PM me the link if you're not sure about pricing etc I'll have a look. Whereabouts in the UK are you and i'll see if I can recommend a shop. (I'm not wonderful outside of Scotland unfortunately!)

For sterling silver the hallmark is 925. If it's being sold as sterling silver it should mention this.

And about the bag, i've coveted one forever as well but bought it as a gift for my sister hoping it would be reciprocated sigh!

I have this weekend bag, and I love it. Very much. Probably too much.

Disaster Designs

Thing with a Longchamp is,like I said before, will last beyond your trip to NY so you'll probably get more use rather than a sole weekend bag

OP, New York is hot, humid and grimy at this time of the year.
You can dress very casually but take a good pair of trainers because you will walk a lot.

I used to live there and often travel to the US for work. I love shopping at outlets and discounters there (everyone knows about Century 21, but I prefer Marshall's and Loehmann's). I travel there almost emptyhanded, just with a nylon backpack, but usually return with those plastic Chinatown bags full of great finds. Target is another place that is often a revelation for Europeans - unless you want to enjoy the high end department stores.

Itsgottabe, they do look really practical and I can definitely see that it would maintain its usefulness in my actual-real-non-glamorous-holiday type life.

Singing Sands, I can see why you love it, it's very appealing.

MrsC - my neighbours have been very, very kind to me through some difficult times, I love them to bits. I have a Monica Vinader labradorite ring that she adores but I don't think I can quite run to that kind of budget for a little surprise present, hence me wanting to ask you.
I may be visiting Scotland on a more regular basis (again) - Scotland has been the source of a fair bit of my jewellery in recent years - I've been lucky enough to have been bought some earrings from a jewellers in Dunblane and I love the arcade in Glasgow.

DonaAna, thank you for your advice, how fantastic to have lived in New York - I've been once before, and fell for it in a big way but this will ( hopefully ) be a more romantic stay. I'm being strict with myself and taking flat shoes and some of those M&S slim fit chinos, to be worn with slightly more interesting tops for day time.
Not sure what I'm going to do about going out at night - dressy clothes are my weakness and I usually end up packing like I'm expecting to dine out at the Ritz every night.
As for shopping, I think I might be going Sephora crazy.

NYC really hot & humid this time of year -- if you like your legs at all plan to have them out either in sun dress/ skirts or shorts.

Also fan of Longchamp bags as they fold down -- I take it with me and then fill it up when I go to the US.

Have a great trip.

Mirpuppet, sadly I have failed to develop the beautiful long legs I so richly deserve so tend to keep them somewhat covered up although I have fallen for this dress www.oasis-stores.com/fashion/oasis/fcp-product/4470094634 on the basis that as a shortarse, it should at least be knee length on me.

Ahh the arcade in Glasgow is where my parents met! (Both jewellers!) And I used to have a showroom upstairs.

Will keep an eye out for Monica Vinaderesque pieces for you

Small world!

Really ? I love that arcade so much - you know how Homer Simpson looks at a doughnut - slackjawed and drooling ? That's me in the arcade.

Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it.

Oh I'm like that too. There's a fully functioning catwalk in there now in one of the stores. (Hate their overpriced jewellery so wouldn't name them but they do put on a fantastic evening soiree!)

I prefer a bag with a pull out handle that I can wheel along if necessary, particularly if flying. I have a lovely mulberry one that was the best present my DH ever bought me, but there are nice cheaper ones about too.

Swoons at the thought of a jewellery catwalk. As a child my mum used to take me to gaze in the window of Hancocks in Manchester, the kind of jewellers where some of the stuff is so fancy it doesn't have the prices on display. I blame her for my sparkly issues.

OP if you are looking for pouches etc Kurt Geiger have some coloured plastic pouches in the sale. Could be useful.

I have this for my carry on luggage. I also use it a lot when travelling for work so definitely got my money's worth out of it. I think when I bought it House of Fraser were having one of their flash sales so I got it a little cheaper. That was Xmas 2010. I packed my wedding dress in it when I flew to SA. It's been all over the place since then.

It's like the TARDIS of bags... it has two poppers on the side so if it's only half full you can make it smaller.

I totally love it.

I loaned it to a friend recently and haven't had it back yet (she doesn't get back from her trip until tomorrow) and am getting separation anxiety.

What is the.. ahem... purpose of your trip, Msarse?

Just that you have said:

I found out that I'm being whisked away to New York - in between being amazed and frantically worrying about which clothes to take

...This holiday, for all kinds of reasons, has me in a bit of a tizzy

...this will ( hopefully ) be a more romantic stay

Hmmmmmm...

Is there another reason why you are asking Mrs C about jewellery?!

Oh bugger, formatting cock up. Soz.

Thank you itsgottabe, I'll have a look at Kurt Geiger - I always forget about them as I can't be doing with their shoes.

Lula, thank you, that looks like an excellent bag, unfortunately I don't think I travel enough to justify the price tag. I hope yours comes back in one piece.

Haha Lula, it's a loonnnnnnnng story. I did, a couple of years ago, have a dream involving being proposed to in New York but I strongly suspect that it isn't going to happen.....

Heh! If I thought it would in any way influence things, I would lend you my bag!

I hope that you find a truly lovely bag and that you have a fantastic time in NY and that you get to go to Glasgow to buy a SPECIAL SPARKLY ring

Thank you Lula, you are very kind.Frankly I'll be happy with a week of relentless nookie let alone a great big feck off diamond ...