I'm a Pro Traveler—These Are the Practical and Impossibly Chic Tote Bags I Bring With Me
From a $40 L.L. Bean tote to a four-figure Saint Laurent bag.
I travel often, and as much as I adore a small, perfectly impractical bag, they don’t hold up to the realities of life. I’ve got stuff, and I have to take it all with me—on the train, on the plane, and all the other in-between places I encounter on the go.
Luckily, this season’s oversized totes and carry-alls are not only practical but they’re also impossibly chic. Think: supple, slouchy shapes that can hold your charger, your agenda book (if you’re still writing things down like I am), your laptop, and all the snacks you grabbed while waiting for your flight. Fashion and function are aligning.
But a quick word of caution with travel bags—and one I’m still trying to learn as well: as tempting as it can be, don’t over-stuff your carry-all. Big bags look great until you fill them to the point where your books and water bottles spill over the top, and the bag loses its shape. Let it hold what it can, but no more. This is a key element in ensuring a travel tote reads as refined, rather than like luggage.
Another tip I’ve learned from carrying a large tote around all day is to keep your overall outfit balanced in relation to the bag's size. A big bag doesn’t work as well with a voluminous dress or an oversized silhouette. Super-sized and slouchy bags deserve cleaner lines, like a tailored jacket, minimal flats, and perhaps a light trench coat. Even the sleekest, finely tailored, and structured tote bags will garner attention because of their size, so don’t let the other elements in your outfit try to compete. Let the bag be the moment—or at least get a portion of the spotlight.
Without further ado, here are my seven favorite big bag beauties, ranging in price and pedigree, each with its own travel-chic personality.
My Favorite Chic Yet Practical Totes
This is my go-to travel tote, balancing size, history, and practicality. Longchamp's Le Pliage bag expands, zips, and folds into a more compressed shape, yet still carries French-casual flair. It’s great for travel days when you want ease and polish.
Here’s a more accessible option from Mango that taps into the trend without breaking the bank. This is ideal if you want a roomy tote as a carry-on bag and for chic city wandering, with less of the investment pressure of a designer handbag. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked who makes this bag when I carry it out and about.
Borrowing from the boys, this bag is easygoing while still feeling cozy and heritage coded. Something about the wool and leather combo gives it a holiday-to-work versatility. It’s good for the classic dresser who still values space.
Leather, refined lines, and enough scale to make a statement yet remain elegant—this Saint Laurent bag is ideal for those trips where you’re doing both business and leisure and want something elevated.
Named after the expression “jack of all trades,” this bag can do it all. The practical option is the espresso version, but if you want to be a little bolder, the cow print is incredible.
This is for when you want maximum designer drama. It’s a bold leather bag with structure and signature details, but it’s still big enough to carry all your necessities in one place.
The L.L. Bean Boat and Tote never goes out of style and never lets you down. This rugged staple has hauled everything from my laptop to my holiday presents to beach towels. It’s the tote that looks even better after years of use, and the personalization element makes it even more special.
