Stylish bags that make travelling easier
Exploring a variety of bag styles perfect for those going on a long trip or a weekend stroll
I’ve been getting a lot of requests lately about bag recommendations, so today we are dedicating an entire newsletter to just that. A good bag goes a long way, whether you’re going on a trip this summer or just need something to hold your stuff in when you’re out and about on the weekend. Today’s report will have a mix of sizes that can accommodate any type of needs you might need from a bag — because carrying a bunch of stuff in your pockets is not always the move.
Before we begin, I wanted to remind everyone that we have a subscriber chat that’s available to everyone! We’ve got a pretty solid group of people going back and forth on regularly, but I would love to see even more people in the chat — this is a great place to ask the community about any personal recommendations you may need!
A bag is one of those things that might not seem that important, but I do think the right one could elevate an entire outfit altogether. Totes are still fine, especially if you’re just hitting the market for some groceries, but sometimes we need something a little bit more elevated to complete our look. Finding the right one that works for you is obviously subjective, so I decided to give you a few recommendations on some personal choices I’m really vibing with lately.
First set of bags comes from Copenhagen-based brand, Parel Studios. I recently had the opportunity to check out their bag lineup in person, and I have nothing but great things to say. These are good choice for anyone looking for high level of quality that provides great durability, allowing you to rock this bag for years without a problem.
The Lokka Bag comes in several sizes and colors — black and olive. Pretty straightforward bag, small and medium sized one will be great for any sort of traveling you have planned in the future. Large version is also really nice, great for storing books and a laptop if needed. Bonus on this one is that it comes with the option for removing the strap if you need — which is also something you can do on the small version of the bag to turn it into a travel pouch.
The Lokka Bag is available directly on the Parel Studios website here.
The Denver Bag from Soulland is ideal for those who need a lot of space to carry random stuff in. Comes with a shoulder strap and handles, allowing you to mix and match how you carry your accessory — would have been cool to have the ability to remove the strap, but that’s not a deal breaker for me.
Very simple bag with a minimal look to it, this one only comes in the one color as of right now, but Soulland is known for making different colors of their Denver Bag in the past. This is the type of bag that will be easy to pair with any type of outfit, and the polyester exterior allows for easy cleaning if things get messy.
Available directly on the Soulland website here.
One bag brand that needs to be on your radar is CLESSTE — they honestly have a lot of great stuff in general, but the bags are speaking to me. Designed and made in Japan, these bags sell out pretty quick, but I’ve noticed they are constantly restocking and even opening pre-orders with fast turnaround times.
Fans of massive bags will be right at home, but no stress because they do offer their bags in various sizes to accommodate everyone. These bags are riddled with hidden features like removable key rings on the exterior, hidden pockets, easy strap release, and double zippers.
While most of the styles are currently sold out, they are currently pre-ordering their holiday bag which will ship later this month.
You can check out their entire selection here, and be sure to follow them on Instagram to stay tuned for future releases.
Outdoor brands have some of the best bags. They are designed with function in mind, they are built for durability for any outdoor adventure, and most importantly, they look great! The Outsiders Store is one of my favorite places to go shop at when I’m looking for bags but don’t know exactly what I’m looking for — their selection is vast so get ready.
They carry brands like Patagonia, Klattermusen, CAYL and more. Definitely worth spending some time on this site because there is many more styles that I didn’t get to show you above.
You can shop the full bag selection here.
Porter-Yoshida & Co. is for big ballers — the prices of these bags are insane, but if you want to ball out on a bag that will last you literally forever then this is it. I will say, you might luck out and get a way better deal in Japan or on Grailed, so it’s definitely worth looking around to secure one of these for a better deal if you don’t want to spend a bag on a bag… haha.
Each bag comes with its unique characteristic that separates them from each other. Removable pouches, unique interior pockets, and a bunch of other things mixed with really high quality material makes me realize why these bag cost what it cost — almost. Either way, I think if you’re willing to spend that much on a bag that will certainly last you for your entire life, then going with Porter-Yoshida might be the move.
You can shop thee Porter-Yoshida & Co. selection on Dover Street Market here.
I do have a cheaper alternative that kind of has a similar-ish vibe to the ones above. The M.A.L.I.C.E. bag my Maharishi has that military-style that fits similarly to the Porter bags above, but for a fraction of the price. Comes in a large and small version, these are equipped with a nylon exterior that is similar to MA-1 Bombers, so you can expect pretty solid level of protection from the rain.
Comes in both green and black colors for your choosing — what’s up with bags just being these two standard colors by the way? Can we get some blue, maybe some alternative brighter colors? Anyway, it’s not a big deal for me but just something I’ve noticed recently.
The Maharishi Malice bags are available on END clothing here.
Over the shoulder bags are great for short trips and all, but we need to talk about some larger options for when you need to carry a lot of stuff on you. Bigger bags usually means a higher price tag, but that’s not always the case. If you’re looking for a good traveller bag that is equipped with solid waterproofing material and only want to spend around $100, then I suggest the Hilo Weekend Bag from Rains.
A simple bag that allows you to carry a lot of stuff, has the option to either carry by hand or throw it over your shoulder thanks to the removable strap, equipped with Rains uniquely developed waterproofing material, and only costs $100? I don’t think I need to say much else. This is going to be a great choice for anyone.
Currently available over at the END website here.
I wanted to end today’s letter with something more unique in design. William Ellery is making cool stuff all across the board, and the bags are definitely some of my favorites. If you’re not familiar with the brand I suggest checking out the website to see what they offer. The only problem is that they are currently all sold out, but lucky for you I found one of them on sale that you can buy right now.
The Beachcomber Bag is sick — I took this next description directly from their page because they summed up the bag better than I could have:
Water beading mesh and rustproof hardware leave seawater and sand behind, but is opaque enough for metropolitan privacy.
Boom. Strap is removable if you need it to be, the overall design is something you will not see everyday which is obviously a huge plus.
I wish the ssense sale was year round
Sealson is a great bag brand as well