Our Favorite Shoulder Bags for Spring Travel

Coach is undoubtedly having a moment among the style set, but frequent travelers, like myself, have been hip to the brand’s quality pieces for years, and among some of its most covetable styles for spring is the Empire bag. Between the premium leather and careful construction, the top-handle design is fit with a multifunctional compartment and zipped pocket, making it as functional for the airport as it is aesthetically pleasing.

According to the runways, spring is all about slouchy and generally unstructured shoulder bag silhouettes and the same is true when it comes to deciding on a bag for traveling. Flattered’s Alva bag is a prime example, with its rounded design that can fit a 13-inch laptop, notebook, or iPad, and the likes of Kylie Jenner and other celebs are fans.

As the latest addition to Polene’s collection, the Osmo baguette has all the defining qualities of your next everyday bag. Crafted using leather from Ubrique, Spain, this compact design has a modular construction that’s pieced together with absolutely precision. Its magnetic-fastening front flap opens to a well-sized interior with concealed slit compartments that can safely secure train or boarding passes.

When it comes to handbags, materials matter. But if you fall under a category of shoppers who prefer alternatives to genuine leather, New York handbag brand Freja should definitely be on your radar. The newly-launched Hudson style has a slightly slouchy but roomy design, made entirely from the brand’s signature ultra-fiber vegan leather that can easily be mistaken for the real thing. The trendy butter shade is just icing on the cake.

If you’re looking for a more affordable option that has a surprisingly spacious interior, we recommend adding Uniqlo’s Puffy shoulder bag to your short list of prospects. Not only is it under $50, it’s made from a soft shell material and is available in a handful of different colors, for added versatility. The best part is the roomy design can hold everything you need for your quick getaways this season.

Every well-traveled individual will tell you that a quality leather bag in your arsenal while you travel goes a long way. Enter Quince’s best-selling mini Crescent bag: The pebbled leather exterior is balanced by the 100% cotton lining with one snap pocket to keep your smaller essentials concealed, safely.

Whether you’re a native New Yorker, a super fan of the Yankees, or call the city your second home, like myself, the Gemisces NY bag is an embodiment of spring in the city. The slouchy striped body comes with two, interchangeable silver shoulder straps––one offers a simple chain link, while the other has an edgier barbed wire detail. I, personally, will be carrying mine with a larger tote while commuting from Brooklyn.

Fans of Cuyana’s cult-favorite system totes will love the effortlessness of the Celestia bag just as much. Designed with a slender half-moon shape, it comes in four different colors—black, mocha, navy, and dark chesnut—and is perfectly suited to be stowed away in your carry-on without bending or losing its shape. The artful buckled hardware is a posh finishing touch that will elevate even the simplest of travel outfits.

Baggu’s spacious nylon shoulder bag can hold a day’s worth of essentials—with room to spare. Whether you’re checking out a new museum, catching a flight, or heading to work (it can hold a 14″ laptop), this versatile bag has got you covered. It’s perfectly slouchy while still having a little bit of structure, giving it an effortlessly cool look. We also love that it’s machine washable.

Those traveling for the music festival circuit, some venues require a see-through shoulder bag for safety purposes. More often than not, this includes PVC, clear plastic, though we suggest opting for something a bit more stylish like this slouchy, mini mesh bag from elevated basics brand COS.

When packing for your spring travels, bringing along a purse that can easily be transitioned between day and night is key. Enter: Copenhagen-based brand, Anonymous’s slouch Zally Heart bag. Its dual shoulder straps and storage offering is great for walking around a new city, while the playful design allows it to double as a statement piece on an evening out.

This medium-size bag from Nothing Written is a perfect mix between an everyday purse and a spacious tote. It has a unique shape made from a wipeable nylon material, reinforced with leather straps and trimmings. The well-organized bag has an internal pocket on the side, as well as a detachable compartment to keep your banking cards easily on hand while traveling.

Very few brands combine function and style quite like LeSportsac. This convertible bag can be wiped down as needed, making it easy to keep it looking brand new. The heritage baggage brand partnered with emerging New York brand Libertine on yet another collection of artful, convertible bags like this one that will last in your everyday lineup for seasons to come. And if the printed version isn’t your style, there are plenty of solid color options as well, like the black hue shown above.