Suggest me a holiday bag

[OnceIn]

I’m after something I can take on the plane with my passport etc in, so needs to be zipped. Plus something I can use whilst on holiday, for site seeing, meals out and maybe the beach. Looking for a summer bag, light in colour, maybe even colourful. Up to a midrange price point.

What kind of style? Tote bag? Backpack? Size?

https://www.johnlewis.com/osprey-london-savanna-leather-weekender-bag/ivory/p113847326?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_bmV0LndoYXRzYXBwLldoYXRzQXBwLlNoYXJlRXh0ZW5zaW9u

Cheaper on the Osprey website ! Would then fold up something lighter to take to the beach

Oh I do like that one. I’ve been looking at rattan ones, but think they’ll just get dirty really quickly

Longchamp. Lots to choose from. Various zipped Totes and they last forever. I also like Rains. Another brand that lasts well. They are go anywhere bags and smart.

I’m with the pp - I take a fold up tote to the beach as it’s bound to get messy.

You probably won’t like my answer but I bought the Uniqlo cross body bag for this exact same reason. Could be totally hands free in the airport, just the right size for my passport, bulky Bose over the ear headphones, lipbalm and phone. Was then the perfect size for taking out and about during the day, bit of cash, phones and a little sunscreen for dh.
Comes in so many colours now, I just got a black one but I’d be hard pushed to be without it now.
I loathe carrying a proper ‘bag’ that always slips off my shoulder or pulls on one side, i go everywhere as minimal as possible so no need at all for a rucksack or anything bigger. Perfect for me.

would you really want to carry a bag that’s big enough as a beach bag site seeing and to dinner? I don’t know what you take to the beach but beach stuff can’t take a lot of space. Would you consider 2 bags? Beach/bigger bag for what you’ve said above and then something smaller for site seeing and dinner?

I would use a Longchamp Le Pliage as a carry on / beach bag, and a cross body for sight seeing and dinner.

I would def go for a small cross body bag for passports, phone, sunglasses etc, and then a roomier one that you can use as your carry on and also beach bag.
This is cute: Mara Black & Cream Beaded Crossbody Bag | Oliver Bonas
I love a baskety style Estie Green & Blue Striped Woven Tote Bag | Oliver Bonas
Straw Cross Body Bag | Joules | M&S

I have several totes from Temu,one is a floral canvas shoulder / tote around £4

People get snooty about them, but I really like Kipling.
I choose muted colours rather than the garish patterns. But they have loads of pockets, really good zips.

These are great for the beach https://uk.dockandbay.com/pages/shop-bags

I use a structured lightweight Tumi tote for the airport and then pack a small, smart crossbody for sightseeing and meals out. For the beach I would use a cheap unstructured beach bag - like a Sezane yellow tote or similar.

The great thing about Le Pliage is that they fold up! So great for packing. Basket bags are just useless on a plane as they have open tops and spoil if squashed. Large string type bags work as beach bags too. Easy to pack and don’t take up space. I sometimes pack a cross body bag for day use and have everything for airport in top bag for suitcase. I don’t like lots of bags on the aircraft for short haul economy. Business long haul and it’s different as there’s more space. DH has backpack for sightseeing but depends on camera!