Traveling well means being prepared for just about anything, from the time you leave until the moment you return, and this includes being intentional about all of the luggage needed for the journey. Much like with a suitcase or weekender, deciding on which shoulder bag to bring along on your travels requires a fair amount of thinking ahead. Not only is it usually dependent on the destination itself, but I’ve learned that considering the mode of transportation you’ll be using to get there is just as important.
The author wearing Coach’s Brooklyn bag in New York City
Courtesy Shelby Ying Hyde
For more active trips that include a lot of time outdoors and exploring nature, something made from weatherproof materials that can be carried a multitude of ways is essential. Work trips where I’ll be running around a big city like Paris for days on end require something chic and cosmopolitan with plenty of storage to hold the essentials. When I fly, I tend to rely heavily on well-organized shoulder bags to ensure my passport, wallet, and phone are easily accessible as I make my way through the airport. Most recently, though, I started carrying something a bit bigger like Coach’s Brooklyn bag—which is my new favorite—to accompany my carry-on. The bag’s shape lets me maximize space while still meeting the airport’s personal item size requirements.
Whether you’re looking for something to carry while en route to your destination, or a style you can wear every day once you’re on the ground, there are plenty of options available for fall. Read on for a full breakdown of our top 10 picks for each occasion, to ensure all of your bases are covered.
Best overall
Coach Brooklyn shoulder bag 39
My top pick of the season, Coach’s Brooklyn 39, has everything you could want in a shoulder bag. The spacious hobo silhouette, first seen on model-turned-rodeo star Bella Hadid, comes in three different sizes and is made from premium pebbled leather that’s durable and gets better over time. Its slouchy, soft shape can easily be folded to fit underneath your seat on the airplane, making it my ideal personal item for flights. Plus, the rounded straps fit comfortably over the shoulder in a way that ensures they don’t slip or fall down while on the go.
Best leather bag
Coach Hamptons bag
If you’re in the market for a good leather shoulder bag that’s reasonably priced and can be toted around for everyday wear, Coach is a great place to start. The heritage brand’s Hamptons bag ticks all the proverbial boxes needed for travel, from its internal zip pocket to the “dog leash” clip fastening that ensures all your belongings are secure. It comes in six different colors, including a dark-lime green color that will stand out in a sea of black, brown, and beige bags.
Best for commuting to work
Fréja Chrystie Bag
For those who live in a metropolitan city or are visiting one on business, travel often includes commuting to the office. If you’re not bringing along a laptop, Freja’s well-sized Christie bag has all the qualities of the classic baguette, only with soft edges that ensure wearers have enough space for daily necessities like a small makeup pouch for touch-ups throughout the day. The rolled leather dual straps are finished with a snap-fastening clip to keep them together and from getting bent out of shape.
Best for flying
Tumi Asra Shoulder Bag
Floating through the airport can be a challenge in and of itself—leave it to the luggage brand to design a bag that helps you get through security and to your gate with ease. Tumi’s Astra bag is made from an easy-to-clean nylon material with two pleated slit pockets on the exterior to store smaller essentials like a passport or wallet and maintain easy access. The best part? There’s a key leash inside that allows you to tether your home or car keys and avoid losing them while traveling.
Best for packing in your carry-on
Cuyana Celestia shoulder bag
Fans of Cuyana’s cult-favorite system totes will love the effortlessness of the new Celestia bag just as much. Designed with a slender half-moon shape, it comes in three different colors—black, mocha, and cherry—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.
Best for extra storage
Cos High-Shine Shoulder Bag
Cos’s sling shoulder bag is great for travelers who require a little bit of extra space while they’re on the go. The slouchy silhouette is made from recycled polyester with a high-shine, liquid finish that sets it apart from other nylon styles on the market. It can be worn a variety of ways, including crossbody or slipped over the shoulder.
Best splurge
Polène Mokki bag
Polène’s impeccably-made Mokki bag is a great investment piece to add to a frequent traveler’s bag collection. The trending brand is known for its use of high-quality leather from Ubrique—a small town in Spain known for its leather craftsmanship—so you know it’s worth the splurge. The well-organized interior, featuring two internal pockets and a patch pocket, is just an added bonus to an already thoughtfully-made design.
Best for day trips
Baggu Nylon shoulder bag
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.
Best for excursions
LeSportsac small convertible Hobo bag
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.
