20 Best Weekender Bags for Travel

The weekender bag is a very personal decision. Are you more form or function? Do you have a go to or prefer to play the field? Duffel or roller? Only you know your heart’s desire when it comes to the choice of overhead-appropriate bag. Mandi Meng, the Area Director of Marketing Communications for Auberge Resorts Collections clocks many hours on planes in her role, often for short jaunts, so the weekender comes into play often. “As someone who travels extensively and also has a chronic overpacking issue, my go-to weekender may not be the most fashionable, but it is definitely the most functional of the many (and I do mean MANY) options I have tried,” Meng tells BAZAAR.com. “The Taurus in me really wanted to love the luxe travel bags, but at the end of the day, my trusty Briggs & Riley is the winner. The secret sauce is the super simple and foolproof compression system which allows me to fit way more of my ‘essentials’ in a compact space that always fits in the overhead.”

But it’s not all about function, Meng balances a utility-based bag with high end carry-ons. “I do love to add a bit of luxury to my travel look (and maximize every spare inch of potential storage space), so I always have an oversized tote balanced atop my carry-on. My current favorites are my Louis Vuitton On the Go GM, or a classic Chanel Deauville tote.”

And for those who are really all in on the luxe vibe, there are certainly many options—and maisons—who can facilitate that celebrity-level entrance to the Delta Suite. Sara Banks, founder of SteamLine Luggage, built her brand on the idea that travelers want that something extra for a short—or long—getaway. “Rolling luggage brings elegance back to modern travel, even for just a weekend,” she tells BAZAAR.com. “It elevates your entire look, leaving you looking chic and polished even after a long day of travel.” Peruse 20 options to find your perfect weekend mate.