A trusted travel purse is the ultimate companion on every journey, near and far. Sleek, secure, and effortlessly chic, a good travel purse carries your essentials on the go, from early flights and sunlit streets to evening rooftop bars. Whether you’re wandering Paris’s charming boulevards, exploring the Caribbean’s breezy coasts, or navigating New York’s buzzy city streets, the right travel purse moves with you, blending function and style in a seamless (and fashionable) harmony.
From Baggu to Baggallini, this season’s travel purses combine elegance with practicality: Anti-theft crossbody bags, versatile totes, and thoughtfully designed carryalls keep everything organized without compromising style. Our favorites boast smart details made for the modern traveler who values sophistication, security, and convenience. Wherever your itinerary leads—city escapes, European adventures, or weekend getaways—these are the best travel purses to ensure you move beautifully prepared, proving that fashion and function can seamlessly coexist.
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Lululemon Convertible ruched crossbody bag
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Editor favorites
Our editors’ favorite travel purses include top-selling bags from brands you’ve likely heard us rave about before, from Lo & Sons to Cuyana to Baggu. Associate commerce director Madison Flager calls the Aoyama bag from Lo & Sons a “versatile staple,” with a handle that converts it from a crossbody to a shoulder bag, a plus when you want to make it look a bit more elevated. Sleek silhouettes from Dune London (like the one below, a favorite of global audience development manager Abigail Malbon’s) and versatile statement pieces from Bandolier elevate any outfit, while Uniqlo’s multi-pocket featherweight shoulder bag keeps essentials within easy reach.
If you’re looking for an everyday bag that’s light and sporty, commerce editor Meaghan Kenny recommends Athleta’s crossbody bag. For dressing up any and every outfit, she says Cuyana’s refined Celestia bag is versatile enough for both day trips and fancy dinners. When it comes to Baggu, associate editor Hannah Towey loves the brand’s casual cool nylon shoulder bag (which can fit her laptop), whereas Flager favors the Big Baggu for its versatility—most often, she brings it on shopping trips and to the beach.
Given its durable nature and inner compartments, I carry Kaai’s stunning leather laptop bag on my commute to work every day. Slim enough to carry small essentials like a wallet and phone, it also has a dedicated slot for your laptop, an extra strap to hook around any luggage handle, and an interior made of suede light blue, which is a chic touch.
Best anti-theft purses
Whether you’re navigating through busy streets or heading on a city walking tour, anti-theft purses offer extra security and peace of mind. Baggallini’s Securtex crossbody is lightweight, sporty, and ideal for active city days, while the brand’s Everywhere Bagg with RFID (a built-in technology that protects against data skimming, identity theft, and unauthorized data access) keeps you organized for seamless airport transitions. This Pacsafe bag is known for its durability, with cut-resistant materials and a flexible design that adapts to your itinerary. Last but not least, Travelon’s class anti-theft bag from Amazon delivers timeless reliability with lockable zippers and RFID protection.
Best travel totes
From airport terminals to sidewalk cafés, every journey deserves a tote that travels as well as you do. Béis’s Essential tote blends polished vegan leather with thoughtful organization. The brand’s Sport Tote is versatile enough to work as both a gym bag and a weekender, thanks to its roomy size and lightweight design. And of course, L.L. Bean’s best-selling Boat and Tote is timeless—and proves that classic durability never goes out of style.
Best crossbody bags
Crossbody bags are great for travelers who crave freedom of mobility. Ideal for the minimalist, Monos’s Metro crossbody bag is made with a water- and scratch-resistant vegan leather, and features an adjustable strap. Tumi’s Voyageur Tyler crossbody marries high fashion with function, designed with plenty of compartments, from media pockets to key leashes, as well as a Tumi Tracer, a unique serial code to track its location if lost or stolen. Known for its durability, Away’s featherlight crossbody is also airy, water-resistant, and ready for spontaneous adventures, while Lululemon’s stylish convertible crossbody transforms with your day, shifting from crossbody to clutch in seconds. All in all, each bag reflects thoughtful design, ensuring hands-free convenience and effortless style wherever your travels take you.