Trip booked? The best weekend bags for women are your ideal carry-everything partner whether you're heading off on a staycation or going further afield, as they'll securely hold all your essentials.
The phrase "weekend bag" can mean different things depending on how light you like to travel. If you’re content with just your favorite jeans and a sweater, you might be able to get away with one of the best backpacks. But if you're the kind of person who likes to take their whole wardrobe with them for an overnight stay, a small suitcase might be a better fit. A holdall offers a good middle ground. Roomier than the best tote bags, with more than enough space to fit two days' worth of outfits, plus toiletries.
Weekend bags can also vary wildly in price depending on how much you're willing to pay. The best designer bags and luggage can cost upwards of £1,000, whereas a straight-to-market weekend bag could be just $40/£40 or less. It's good to think about how often you will use your weekend bag. If you're someone who really maximizes a weekend getaway opportunity, invest in an item that will last. Leather iterations will be hardwearing and make sure to look at zips and strap stitching to get a feel of the longevity and quality of the bag.
What to look for in the best weekend bags for women
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The best weekend bags for women boast thoughtful features that will make your life easier. “A weekend bag needs to be practical but also look great when you’re traveling,” explains celebrity stylist and founder of P.S. Online Styling, Ella-Louise Gaskell. “I like to have one with wheels and a shoulder strap, because sometimes it’s handy to throw your bag over your shoulder, but also they can be pretty heavy. The wheels and pulling function helps with functionality. They should also have lots of inside pockets, preferably in the lining, so you can sort your items. It’s also important to have front pockets for easy access. I always keep a book in the front pocket for the inevitable waiting around.”
As for fabric, that’s ultimately down to personal style, but to stand the test of time, it needs to be hard-wearing. “Leather or coated leather is durable and doesn’t get marked easily,” says editor and journalist, Rachel Ingram. “I like to be able to trust my luggage in an overhead compartment!”
“Canvas (ideally cotton so it is breathable) or nylon are my go-to every time for durability, weatherproofing, and the ability to wipe clean,” adds style consultant Charlotte Verdeyen. And it’s not just the fabric of the body of your bag you need to consider, the straps are just as important. “A leather or strong webbing handle are also essential to carry the weight of everything you need."
Best weekend bags for women - according to our fashion team
Get ready for your next getaway with our edit of go-to brands for the best weekend bags for women. From sleek designer bags crafted from butter-soft leather to straight-to-market fabric alternatives that ensure you travel in style.
Hopefully you'll be getting a lot of wear out of your weekend bag, so it's important that you love how it looks. Everlane's designs have been built with style in mind as much as practicality, with the end result being classic bags that are smart enough for work trips and girls' weekends alike.
Everlane weekend bags - Fashion editor's picks
RRP: $85 / £87 | The ReNew Transit Weekender comes in 5 neutral hues and is a staple and popular style for the brand. Made from 100% recycled polyester, it also has a water-resistant finish, making it an ideal choice, whatever the weather.
RRP: $90 / £92 | With a secure drawstring and hook closure, this medium sized backpack can fit items for a weekend away but can double up as a work bag as it fits most 15'' laptops. It also has external zip pockets that can fit a standard water bottle.
RRP: $110 / £107 | If you consult the handbag trends 2023, then you'll know that big bags this year are a big deal. This gorgeous travel tote comes in four colorways including cappuccino, blue, neutral and black that will never go out of style.
Away was dreamt up to make travel easy. No more scrambling for your passport at checkout or sitting on your suitcase to wrestle everything in. With an Away weekend bag, the packing process is simple and streamlined thanks to a multitude of carefully considered pockets, hardwearing fabrics and sleek designs. Even better, Away offer a 100 day trial, so you can put your new weekend bag buy through it's paces before committing.
Away weekend bags - Fashion editor's picks
RRP: $75 / £65 | A lightweight tote that packs flat, this on-trend tote comes in three colorways and is ideal as a carry-on and for weekends away. Made with water-resistant nylon it expands, ready to help you get sorted and organized, anytime, anywhere.
RRP: $245 / £225 | Shoppable in three colorways, coast, navy and black, this easy weekend bag is also personalizable, making it a brilliant gift idea for those jet setters in your life. With two straps, a top handle carry and crossbody strap, it's ergonomic too.
RRP: $245 / £225 | Designed to keep the items most important to you safe when you travel, this bag has a secure spot for boarding passes and a 13" laptop sleeve. It also includes unique interior storage details like a removable three-compartment accordion.
Luxury French clothing brand Longchamp has been making travel infinitely more glamorous since their launch in 1948. They make some of the best weekend bags for women and its carry-all totes make room for far more than your toothbrush, with the option to expand some versions for extra space. These are an investment purchase, especially if you're opting for a wheeled or leather handheld version. And you can gleefully turn to it year after year, safe in the knowledge it won't have dated since your last trip.
Longchamp weekend bags - Fashion editor's picks
RRP: $265 / £165 | The classic Le Pliage drew its inspiration from origami, allowing it to fold away. The bag, which now has worldwide cult status has been updated here with green credentials using recycled polyamide canvas and 5 colorways.
RRP: $430 / £315 | Working as both a travel bag and a wheeled suitcase, this expandable travel bag is ideal for long journeys. Part of the classic lines at Longchamp, this bag is elegant, smart and distinctive for work or casual weekend getaways.
RRP: $735 / £545 | Le Foulonne is one of Longchamp's most classic bag silhouettes, launching originally in 1978. One of the best weekend bags thanks to its timeless design, butter soft navy leather and superb craftsmanship, this will be with you for years.
Next time you're shopping for Lululemon leggings, give its accessories a browse too. As with its clothing offering, Lululemon weekend bags are sleek, sophisticated and sporty. For those that like to go hands-free, there are a variety of different backpacks and totes on offer, in a range of shapes and sizes. Totes and duffles offer maximum storage space. Look out for bags with space to store your sweaty kit post-workout too.
Lululemon weekend bags - Fashion editor's picks
RRP: $98 / £88 | The back straps have been reinforced to carry a heavy load without fraying, with an expandable pocket for stashing any last minute additions. Great for work or adventure.
RRP: $198 / £148 | With padded handles for easy carrying and protective water repellent fabric, this bag is as good for every day as it is for travel, an interior pocket can fit a 16" laptop.
RRP: $168 (US only) | Made with water-repellent fabric, this is designed for people on the move. With plenty of space for essentials, this bag can be carried by the handles or worn as a backpack.
We hope our trips come with a side helping of a rain-free forecast, but unfortunately, that's not always the case. Enter Rains, already making some of the best waterproof jackets, they inject this waterproofing knowledge into their bags too. Its signature PU rubber fabric is impressively durable and looks good too, with a chic matte finish. For extra peace of mind, each Rains purchase comes with a 2-year product warranty.
Rains weekend bags - Fashion editor's picks
RRP: $95 / £65 | Chic and understated, this bag will seamlessly coordinate with any outfit, and your other luggage too. Cut from Rains’ signature waterproof PU-coated fabric. This waterproof duffel bag is finished with coated zip and matte hardware for a secure bag and available in nine colorways.
RRP: $140 / £105 | Designed to take a lot of weight, this waterproof bag combines the functionality of a duffel fastening with a practical roll-top for when you need more space. Finished with a detachable shoulder strap, for multiple ways to carry, this bag has been created with durability in mind.
RRP: $250 / £199 | Half hard shell suitcase, half soft holdall, this Rains bag has it all, including great capacity. Featuring a telescopic handle, as well as top-side handles for easy transportation, the front zipper pocket is ideal for holding passports, keys and other essentials when on the move.
All Katie Loxton designs have been created in-house by Katie and her team, so attention to detail comes as standard. Expect stand-out hardware, a range of colorways and some of the best weekend bags for women, alongside everyday crossbody, and backpack styles. There's the option for personalization too, so you'll always know which bag is yours when rummaging in the overhead compartment.
Katie Loxton weekend bags - Fashion editor's picks
RRP: $150 / £84.99 | In a timeless taupe, this weekender bag features both a long shoulder strap and two handhold options. Includes a sweet "and so the adventure begins" luggage tag.
RRP: $160 / £99.99 | A chic and spacious design, Katie Loxton offers affordable luxury. This faux leather cognac weekend bag can be personalized, making it an ideal gift for frequent travelers.
RRP: $160 / £99.99 | The classic Katie Loxton weekender bag, now in a sustainable style. Created using RPET-based PU and RPET polyester lining, this beauty is made with plastic bottles.
If your idea of a weekend away is more camping than glamping, listen up. What The North Face doesn't know about technical clothing and accessories isn't worth knowing, and its weekend bags are brimming with impressive features. Just don't forget to pack your walking boots.
The North Face weekend bags - Fashion editor's picks
RRP: $135 / £120 | Water-repellent and packed with sustainable credentials, this Base Camp duffel bag holds 42 liters of product, making it ideal for those seriously big adventures.
RRP: $169 / £140 | Available in three sizes this 55-liter backpack is a great option for those who love to hike. Water-repellent and durable this bag is packed with functionality and personality.
RRP: $300 / £315 | For the heavy packers, this 80-liter bag takes you from a weekend away to a two-week holiday with ease. Made of water-repellent material it's sleek and super practical too.
If you're looking for something stylish but casual that also packs in a load of practical features then Stubble & Co fits the bill. It offers a limited range of bags that are each designed for different needs but that all come with the practical features you might want for that occasion. Waterproof fabrics and clever design details are a plus. Making some of the best weekend bags for women, it also has sleek styles for every day too.
Stubble & Co weekend bags - Fashion editor's picks
RRP: $275 / £195 | Multiple easy-access compartments for essentials and side pockets for drink bottles or an umbrella make this a practical everyday purchase for traveling or commutes.
RRP: $255 / £185 | The detachable strap offers means that there is the option to carry this weekend bag as a duffle or a crossbody, and there is an outside zip pocket for essentials.
RRP: $215 / £155 | With multiple strap options for easy ergonomics, a reinforced base with studded feet for protection, and multiple pockets for your essentials, this is a stylish and practical piece.
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