I am fortunate to have 2 Euro trips (Ireland and a river cruise) coming up this year- we are celebrating two big birthdays:) Does anyone have a travel purse that you love? I think a need a fairly good sized one, but not huge. Cross-body and enough room for small wallet, small camera, phone, the usual basic purse toiletries, gum, kleenex, a small sunscreen etc. Maybe a slot for guidebook and one or two little pouches on the sides for umbrella/water would be nice. I threw away my old, ratty one (not very fashionable, but served the purpose) a couple years ago. I have looked a bit on line, but can’t decide. Thanks in advance!
I have one of their smaller bags. I like the anti-theft protections.
I really hate to carry around the weight of a leather purse, so the lighter the fabric, the better. I prefer styles that go under the arm for added security, but a cross body worn on the front would probably be as secure.
Do you have a price range?
(This is my favorite travel “purse”:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/longchamp-small-le-pliage-shoulder-bag/2941048
It is light and easily washable )
I have a couple of varying size baggalini bags. They are amazing. Light weight, tons of well organized pockets. And machine washable. I would suggest getting a Baggalini. Lots of colors to choose from as well.
I love my Longchamps bags, but not they are big open totes with one pocket…and I find them annoying when I travel and need to find things…like my passport and boarding passes.
I like a cross body wallet similar to the above. It can be worn alone or go in a larger bag, which needs to be large enough to hold electronics, glasses, etc I am always in search of the perfect travel bag. Thank you for starting this thread.
Good Luck!
Lots of Baggalinis at TJMaxx today - had a backpack one in my cart but decided against it - may regret that decision! They are almost always 50% at TJ and they had many shapes and sizes. I used one Baggalini for two years - from spring till fall - washed it last fall (yep, in the washing machine in a mesh bag) and it looks great and is ready to use again.
When I travel I carry a backpack on the plane but pack a Baggalini in my suitcase for when I reach my destination. They typically have LOTS of pockets and zippered areas.
The tablet tote from Vera Bradley. Today they are having a promotion. Buy two sale items get one free.
I usually just take my regular purse, and use the same backpack I’ve been using for close to 25 years. It’s a Northface backpack, but I’ve had it since way before Northface was cool. But we usually do active vacations, so it works well. I keep hearing so much about those Longchamp bags I’m tempted to order one myself. Depending on where you are going, a “no name” bag may be better than a higher end bag.
This may be a non-starter, but a lightweight jacket with lots of pockets could also carry much of what you describe.
Yes, a cross body I bought in WDW. Ok, so it has Mickey Mouse on it, but great size, lightweight, washable, multiple pockets, and the strap is long enough! Don’t know how you’d feel about fanny packs, but they’re d’14’s travel bags of choice.
I really dislike the look of cross body bag. It just screams tourist and middle age (or old age). I generally carry a tote bag. I would have a small bag with money, credit cards, iphone, tissues, passport(s), water…I could barely find anything in my bag that I don’t thing any pickpocket person could get anything out of it either (if you could, bless you). I have traveled like that around the world, (knock on wood), never lost anything.
For me that’s an easy way of accidentally slip something out of my pocket, like credit cards.
When I’m traveling in an area with lots of pickpockets, I like a small cross body wallet worn under a buttoned up jacket of some kind. I can keep some cash in my arm bag for the day and not look so touristy, which I think is a good point. That creates its own sort of risk. I have seen thieves robbing backpacks,on buses and trains, so I’m not too comfortable going that route. My husband once had some work papers lifted from the outside compartment of his messenger bag style briefcase - really of no value to anyone at all but him. Kind of a headache for him, though.
I have been using a lamb skin Perlina cross body/fanny pack for 30 years.
It is very small, about 5" by 9". It has a narrow leather adjustable strap & brass fittings, with a snap pocket on one side & a smaller zipper pocket on the other.the strap is completely detachable.
When I bought it, fanny packs were still popular!
It is big enough to put my phone/wallet on one side & pen, gloss & whatever on other, or small enough to throw into a bigger bag. My keys are on a carabiner,so I can slip them over the strap
I have several nylon bags that are very sturdy, with pockets that fit more than you would think.
Overland Equipment, REI, Victorinox, Baggalini…
I bought this bag on vacation at a climbing store.
http://www.6pm.com/overland-equipment-bidwell-blue-violet-periwinkle?zhlfid=139&kpid=25697610&kpid=25697610
I also use a smallish water bottle, that is about 16-18 oz. I have to fill it more often, but it is my ch easier to take with me. It also has a cap with a loop, that I can clip a carabiner to.
Wow, my impression of cross body bags is exactly the opposite. More expected from the younger or the middle aged active woman!
I would say get a good looking bag to you and one that you are comfortable carrying or lugging that is practical - no sense in having a bag that looks great but is awkward or not “you”.
I’m not a tote person unless it’s carrying my books and magazines to the beach or being used instead of a briefcase type bag for work.
I’m just the opposite. I love the hands-free aspect of crossbody, but I do appreciate oldfort’s point about looking like a tourist. I have nylon Tumi crossbody sling bags which are very refined looking w nice leather & chrome details. Looks more like a city bag than hiking gear. I actually have 3 of them: a basic black one, plus 2 in less somber colors. The model I have has been discontinued by Tumi, but u can still find it on other websites. I don’t like the new Tumi model; it looks too much like a backpack.
http://www.ebags.com/product/tumi/voyageur-brive-sling-backpack/243516?productid=10291847&sourceID=COMJFEED&PID=1587379&SID=slingbackpacks&CA_6C15C=120011660000447802
To make best utilization of my airline carryon bag allowance. I pack the smaller nylon Tumi bag in my luggage for use at my destination. While air/train traveling, I use an unglamorous backpack because it simply holds more stuff and has lots of compartments.
Because of how big cellphones are getting, I’ve actually talked GMTbetterhalf into using a daybag everyday around town.
http://m.zappos.com/patagonia-atom
My new ‘purse’ for travel- a mens very small front pocket wallet (magnetic clip for cash and a few cards) that I either put in my front pocket, or in the inside of my jacket zipped pocket. Alternative- rubber band ID and credit cards and insurance card together in above. Always use a backpack for plane travel.
If I want to carry a bunch of other things like a granola bar or kleenex or meds or other stuff I put it in a small purse and I am not constantly watching my purse as I used to, especially on trains or subways.
I like the Travelon purses too for travel. With the reinforced strap, and the hook on the zipper I feel more secure. Mine has held up well for several years. And I wear it cross-body, just like my daughters! I think everything about me screams tourist anyway.
I am fond of a lightweight tote bag with inner pockets for sunglasses & phone, that can also be wiped clean.
Current favorite is Jonathon Adler’s East/West tote, although I do not love any of the current patterns:
http://www.jonathanadler.com/search?q=east%20west%20tote
Somewhat off topic… I heard that Chanel is introducing a new line of travel purses… Here is a completely irresistible one!
(I think Karl is losing his marbles)