Your ticket is booked and your hotel is sorted—now it’s time to pack. Whether you’re heading out for a quick weekend trip or a multi-week adventure across countries, a solid travel tote will be your most useful companion. It can serve as your personal item on the plane, your carry-on for extra souvenirs, and even your beach bag at your destination—this is a bag with many roles. Just make sure you pick one that fits your trip’s needs.

Vogue’s Favorite Travel Totes:

The Business Trip-Ready
Métier Incognito Cabas tote
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$3,150 NET-A-PORTER

The Minimalist-Friendly
DeMellier The Stockholm tote
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$670 NET-A-PORTER

The Coastal Canvas
J.Crew 1998 Montauk tote
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$148 J.CREW

The Pop of Color
Kallmeyer Cottage canvas tote
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$695 NET-A-PORTER

The Airport Carry-On
Quince Voyage travel bag
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$128 QUINCE

The Fashionable Pick
Dries Van Noten Carter printed tote
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$1,480 NET-A-PORTER

A roomy canvas tote, for example, is perfect for beach destinations or road trips with friends, but it’s not the best choice for a work trip. Destination weddings or trips to far-off places might need a travel tote with more storage space, plus smart compartments and features to make long flights go more smoothly. (And speaking of flying: if you’re traveling by air, double-check your airline’s size rules for personal items.)

Whatever your travel style, we’ve put together a selection with a range of options. From roomy to compact, from polished to rugged, these are the best travel totes on the market.

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Métier
Incognito Cabas tote
$3,150 NET-A-PORTER

The Businesswoman: Métier Incognito Cabas Tote
Why We Love It: If you’re going straight from a flight to a meeting, you’ll want a tote that can also work as a work bag. The Incognito from London-based brand Métier is not only very polished, but also practical. Multiple internal and external compartments keep you super organized, and there’s a dedicated laptop pocket for your computer.
Materials: Leather
Dimensions: 13”H x 15.7” W x 9.4”D
Colors: Black, Brown Suede

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DeMellier
The Stockholm tote
$670 NET-A-PORTER

The Compact Fit: Demellier Stockholm Tote
Why We Love It: Say goodbye to struggling to fit an oversized bag under the airplane seat or into tight overhead bins on trains. At eight inches tall, Demellier’s Stockholm tote is just the right size to slide easily under most cabin seats (while still fitting up to a 10” iPad). The zipped closure means you don’t have to worry about losing anything during take-off or landing.
Materials: Leather
Dimensions: 8” H x 16.1” W x 5.5” D
Colors: Beige, Brown Suede, Chocolate Suede

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J.Crew
1998 Montauk tote
$148 J.CREW

The Coastal Grandma: J.Crew 1998 Montauk Tote
Why We Love It: This canvas tote has just the right amount of New England prep style. Its large capacity includes an interior pocket and will easily fit your weekend wardrobe—and, when it’s time for the beach, your towel and book. It has a handy leather tie to keep everything secure, and the shoulder-length strap fits comfortably under your arm.
Materials: Canvas
Dimensions: 12.5” H x 26.5” W x 8” D
Colors: Navy, Crimson

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Kallmeyer
Cottage canvas tote
$695 NET-A-PORTER

The Road-Tripper: Kallmeyer Cottage Canvas Tote
Why We Love It: Kallmeyer’s canvas tote is built for the long haul—at a super roomy 30 inches wide, you can easily fit everything from clothes and shoes to tech and toiletries for a few days. There’s an interior pocket for your valuables, and a magnetic closure keeps things secure (but still easy to dig through if you need something mid-drive).
Materials: Canvas, leather
Dimensions: 15.2” H x 30.7” W x 7.5” D
Colors: Red, Beige, Black

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Quince
Voyage travel bag
$128 QUINCE

The Practical Passenger: Quince VoyageTravel Bag

Why We Love It: Quince has created the perfect travel bag for anyone who values practicality and efficiency. It’s made from water-repellent nylon and comes with a top handle, a removable crossbody strap, plenty of pouches and compartments to keep things organized, and a padded pocket for your laptop. The best feature? A luggage sleeve that lets you attach it securely to your rolling suitcase.

Materials: Nylon, leather
Dimensions: 13” H x 18.5” W x 9.5” D
Colors: Black, Navy, Dark Green
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Isabel Marant Wardy Tote — $1,090 (SHOPBOP, SSENSE)

The Great Outdoorsman: Isabel Marant Wardy Tote

Why We Love It: It might be a bit too fancy for rough camping, but if glamping is more your style, this tote is worth the investment. Made from crinkled patent leather with sturdy canvas shoulder straps, it definitely looks the part. But beyond the looks, you can easily fit all your essentials—water bottles, trail maps, or a change of swimsuit—without compromising on style.

Materials: Leather
Dimensions: 11.75” H x 21.75” W x 7.75” D
Colors: Sage, Black
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Tumi Just In Case Tote — $175 (SHOPBOP, NORDSTROM)

The Packable Option: Tumi Just In Case Tote

Why We Love It: Tumi’s aptly named Just In Case tote deserves a spot on every traveler’s must-have list. Use it as your carry-on (it has a built-in luggage sleeve), or fold it down into the included zippered pouch and stash it in your purse or suitcase—just in case you need an extra bag for bringing back souvenirs.

Materials: Nylon
Dimensions: 14.25” H x 24.75” W x 7” D
Colors: Mink, Black, Rosewood
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Dries Van Noten Carter Printed Tote — $1,480 (NET-A-PORTER)

The Personality Hire: Dries Van Noten Carter Printed Tote

Why We Love It: If plain nylon or canvas isn’t your thing, don’t worry. Dries Van Noten has created a luxurious velvet tote that’s reminiscent of Mary Poppins’ bag—including its extra-large storage capacity. With top handles, shoulder straps, two internal pockets, and an interior zip compartment, it’s a stylish bag that still offers all the practical features you need for a week on the road.

Materials: Velvet, leather
Dimensions: 12.6” H x 16.5” W x 5” D
Colors: Floral Velvet, Cognac Suede

Shop More Travel Totes We Love:

– Alex Mill The Perfect Weekend Tote — $195 (SHOPBOP)
– Staud Christos Tote — $450 (SHOPBOP)
– Proenza Schouler Days Paneled Shoulder Bag — $2,590 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Wandler Penelope Tote — $895 (SHOPBOP)
– J.Crew Berkeley Tote — $328 (J.CREW)
– H&M Shopper — $40 (H&M)
– Banana Republic Weekend Tote — $150 (BANANA REPUBLIC)
– Coach Mott Messenger Bag — $550 (COACH)
– Loeffler Randall Dina Travel Tote — $195 (NORDSTROM)
– Rue de Verneuil Traversée Tote — $535 (NET-A-PORTER)
– Bottega Veneta Barbara Tote — $7,900 (BOTTEGA VENETA)
– Prada Saffiano Pendant Tote — $1,070 (PRADA)

Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the topic of travel totes designed to answer common questions for both new and experienced travelers

General Questions

1 What exactly is a travel tote and how is it different from a regular handbag or a suitcase
A travel tote is a large opentop bag designed to carry more than a standard purse Unlike a suitcase its not meant to be checked or rolled its designed to be carried by hand or over the shoulder Its perfect for carrying inflight essentials beach gear or as a personal item that fits under the seat

2 I see 8 travel totes mentioned Are these specific brands or is it a list of styles
It refers to a curated list of 8 distinct styles or types of totes The idea is that each style serves a different aesthetic and travel purpose so you can pick the one that matches your destinationlike a chic leather one for a city break or a waterproof one for a beach trip

3 Can I use a travel tote as my personal item on an airplane
Yes absolutely Most airlines allow a personal item in addition to a carryon suitcase However size limits vary by airline To be safe look for a tote that is roughly 18 x 14 x 8 or smaller If its too big you might be forced to gatecheck it or stuff it into your main bag

4 What is the biggest benefit of using a tote over a backpack for travel
The main benefit is accessibility and style A tote opens wide so you can see everything at a glance without digging through zippers It also looks more polished for dinners business meetings or nice excursions The downside is that its usually carried on one shoulder which can get heavy backpacks distribute weight better

Choosing the Right Tote

5 Im going to a rainy city and a beach destination What material should I look for
For rain avoid untreated canvas or suede Look for a tote made of