Stylish overnight/hand luggage bag

[Swissmeringue]

It's my 40th birthday this week and we're going on a family holiday to celebrate over the Easter school holidays. The holiday is my "big" present so to speak, but DH has asked if I'd like something to unwrap on the day and obviously I'm not going to say no! It's occurred to me that maybe it's time to retire the battered old changing bag I've been using as hand luggage for the last 8 years and get myself something a bit more stylish.

I'm thinking a large tote or small holdall in terms of size, the sort of thing I could pack full of snacks and coats for a day out or potentially would suffice just for me for an overnight trip. I don't have a particular budget in mind, probably no more than £300 but might go higher for something particularly nice so feel free to suggest fantasy purchases that I can't afford.

My favourite overnight bag

https://www.mzwallace.com/en-gb/products/black-navy-colorblock-large-metro-tote-deluxe?variant=44591538634990

Away Overnight Bag or Weekender Bag.

https://www.awaytravel.com/en-gb/products/overnight-bag-jet-black

https://www.awaytravel.com/en-gb/products/weekender-jet-black

Really practical. I have the (smaller) Everywhere Bag which might also work depending on how much you want to pack.

https://www.awaytravel.com/en-gb/products/everywhere-bag-jet-black

Anya Hindmarch Flight Bag (above budget)
https://www.anyahindmarch.com/products/inflight-bag-in-recycled-nylon-marine

Away everywhere bag (below budget)
https://www.awaytravel.com/en-gb/products/everywhere-bag-cloud-gray

I have both. I use both. I like both 😁

Mai Tie Jenni

Jennie Travel Hand Luggage Bag | Mia Tui https://share.google/LQgeUG7iyYy3VQb6A

Has a long strap and trolly handle sleeve. Lots of pockets and comes with a little cross body bag and a see through pouch bag. I love mine. Great for using with a cabin case.

Sadly, my favorite travel bag is one of my daughters smiggle bags as they have so many pockets. For shame. Great for city breaks, Ryan air hand luggage and carrying around the city. The idea dream is a backpack with a trolly sleeve. I have one from M&S but my smiggle one is larger and softer. Sigh.

Naturally I love the one that's above budget 🤦‍♀️. I've forwarded it to DH as a suggestion!

I know, of course the above budget is more appealing. The challenging thing is then when you buy.all.the.accessories because they match… I now have a large labelled Anya Hindmarch collection, because I need it all to match my flight bag and vice versa 😇

I would go for a Brics holdall or weekend bag. https://www.bricsmilano.com/en-gb/collections/travel-bags

I am trying to talk myself of getting this bargain
https://www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/home/hobbies+leisure/luggage-bags+accessories/travel-bags/navy-weekend-duffle-bag/p/10393101

Do yourself a favour and get something with wheels, so that you're not carting a huge and heavy bag over your shoulder the whole time you're travelling. Something like this? https://www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/home/hobbies+leisure/luggage-bags+accessories/travel-bags/oat-logo-pattern-cassian-wheeled-duffle-bag/p/10007132

I definitely wouldn't recommend faux leather or suede from Oliver Bonas. I've had several which are beautifully designed but don't last very long at all before the surfaces start peeling or cracking. So disappointing 😭
I'd only go for real leather or suede.

Reduced to £249. Also in other colours (the light blue's lovely, if impractcal for travelling):
https://www.ospreylondon.com/en-gb/the-adaline-leather-weekender-in-tan

You could afford to get this as well, £95::
https://www.ospreylondon.com/en-gb/the-voyage-nylon-weekender-in-raspberry

This is such a 'proper' holdall 😍 £195:
https://www.ospreylondon.com/en-gb/the-jenson-leather-holdall-in-chocolate-and-black

Large leather backpack, £225:
https://www.ospreylondon.com/en-gb/the-lockton-leather-backpack-in-black

... and more! Their sale's very good at the moment. I must hastily close the tab!

Can someone explain to me why the La Pliage bags are so popular? They’re nylon, don’t look like they hold much and look uncomfortable to carry?

@Honestyboxy They’re very durable, light and hold a lot. They also pack away which can be very useful on holiday.

Love all of these! 😍

I tried them out in JL yesterday. I like the way they fold down to next to nothing, handy for packing. But other than that they didn't do it for me, the strap felt uncomfortable on my shoulder.

@Swissmeringue They do make them with shoulder straps too. I have something similar to this (older model, bought years ago) which is very handy.

https://www.longchamp.com/gb/en/products/handbag-l-L1515HSR001.html

Over-budget but I have the older version of this Mulberry overnight bag:

https://www.mulberry.com/gb/shop/women/bags/totes/heritage-medium-clipper-mole-cognac-printed-bioveg-scotchgrain-flat-calf

They last forever. I’ve had mine for 20+ years now. I actually won it in a raffle at work.

Despite having the Mulberry, being the ungrateful bint that I am, I actually prefer using this Smythson bag for overnights instead:

https://www.smythson.com/uk/black-small-soft-travel-bag-in-ludlow-1204278.html

It’s been all over the world with me and I love it. It’s also incredibly practical.

Love the Everywhere bag.

I'm a new convert to Roka and I reckon the Gatwick (small for literally overnight with travel size toiletries, change of pants/socks/top, or medium for slightly more - the small might take the above plus two pack-a-macs)

So do I. I really want one now.

I wonder if there are any second hand

I second this, love mine and with an internal organiser it looks more structured. Such a useful bag.

Sorry not sorry for the enabling 😁

I have a previous edition in pink leather. Perched on top of the larger Carry On luggage in this picture. This only got carried on personal trips though, definitely not brave enough to lean into all.the.pink.power for a work trip where I’m meant to be a non-frivolous adult 😂

I second this - I have a medium Gatwick and love it

I love the small one.

I’ve had mine nearly 20 years so can vouch for the quality but I do sometimes want to have a shoulder strap as full it can be really heavy!
Excellent for hand luggage though as you can squish it under pretty much any airline seat and fit loads in. Mine has done every flight and weekend away (as well as a couple of festivals!) since 2009!