28 Lightweight, Packable Handbags That Will Fit in Your Carry-On
Let's talk about an often overlooked facet of packing for a trip: handbags. I'm someone who actually thinks about this a lot when I'm shopping for a handbag. If you've ever tried traveling with a large, bulky, or heavy handbag, you know how cumbersome it can be. I certainly do, and at some point in my life, I vowed to never repeat my bulky handbag-on-a-trip mistake. And as somewhat of an overpacker, I hate to have my handbag count as one of my two personal items. The solution is to bring one that I can slip into my carry-on bag while navigating the airport.
I've found that the best bags to travel with are those that are slim or can be flattened. Flat shoulder bags, bags without a lot of hardware, pouch bags, nylon or fabric bags, and those made of soft leather as opposed to stiff are key when choosing a bag that can be packed. I did a fair amount of searching and found 28 stylish bags that check the travel-friendly boxes. Scroll to shop them before your next flight departs.
This Prada nylon bag is my go-to for travel. It's unbelievably lightweight and fits all the essentials.
Another one of my favorites for travel—it's nice and slim and works for both day and night.
When empty, this perfect logo bag can be collapsed to be practically flat.
This tiny It bag is perfect if you like to travel lightly (as in not pack your bag with tons of stuff).
In case you like to add a little color to your travel wardrobe.
If I were packing more than one bag, I'd pack this as my "fun" bag.
This flat bag slips into a carry-on so easily (I've done it).
This trendy (yet classic) bag flattens down beautifully when packed.
The fact that this bag is so classic makes the bold color easier to wear.
Next up, what a Vogue travel editor packs in her carry-on.
Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.
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