Best weekend bags for women - stylish bags for your next break

The best weekend bags for women deliver on style, shape and fabric

three of the best weekend bags for women
(Image credit: Rains / Everlane / Katie Loxton)

Trip booked? The best weekend bags for women are your ideal carry-everything partner whether you're heading off on a staycation or going further afield, as they'll securely hold all your essentials.

The phrase "weekend bag" can mean different things depending on how light you like to travel. If you’re content with just your favorite jeans and a sweater, you might be able to get away with one of the best backpacks. But if you're the kind of person who likes to take their whole wardrobe with them for an overnight stay, a small suitcase might be a better fit. A holdall offers a good middle ground. Roomier than the best tote bags, with more than enough space to fit two days' worth of outfits, plus toiletries.

Weekend bags can also vary wildly in price depending on how much you're willing to pay. The best designer bags and luggage can cost upwards of £1,000, whereas a straight-to-market weekend bag could be just $40/£40 or less. It's good to think about how often you will use your weekend bag. If you're someone who really maximizes a weekend getaway opportunity, invest in an item that will last. Leather iterations will be hardwearing and make sure to look at zips and strap stitching to get a feel of the longevity and quality of the bag.  

What to look for in the best weekend bags for women

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The best weekend bags for women boast thoughtful features that will make your life easier. “A weekend bag needs to be practical but also look great when you’re traveling,” explains celebrity stylist and founder of P.S. Online Styling, Ella-Louise Gaskell. “I like to have one with wheels and a shoulder strap, because sometimes it’s handy to throw your bag over your shoulder, but also they can be pretty heavy. The wheels and pulling function helps with functionality. They should also have lots of inside pockets, preferably in the lining, so you can sort your items. It’s also important to have front pockets for easy access. I always keep a book in the front pocket for the inevitable waiting around.”

As for fabric, that’s ultimately down to personal style, but to stand the test of time, it needs to be hard-wearing. “Leather or coated leather is durable and doesn’t get marked easily,” says editor and journalist, Rachel Ingram. “I like to be able to trust my luggage in an overhead compartment!” 

“Canvas (ideally cotton so it is breathable) or nylon are my go-to every time for durability, weatherproofing, and the ability to wipe clean,” adds style consultant Charlotte Verdeyen. And it’s not just the fabric of the body of your bag you need to consider, the straps are just as important. “A leather or strong webbing handle are also essential to carry the weight of everything you need."  

Best weekend bags for women - according to our fashion team

Get ready for your next getaway with our edit of go-to brands for the best weekend bags for women. From sleek designer bags crafted from butter-soft leather to straight-to-market fabric alternatives that ensure you travel in style.

canvas tote bag

(Image credit: Everlane)

1. Everlane

Best stylish weekend bags

Specifications

RRP: $$

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable 
+
Fashion-forward designs 

Reasons to avoid

-
Can sell out quickly 

Hopefully you'll be getting a lot of wear out of your weekend bag, so it's important that you love how it looks. Everlane's designs have been built with style in mind as much as practicality, with the end result being classic bags that are smart enough for work trips and girls' weekends alike. 

Everlane weekend bags - Fashion editor's picks


blue weekend bag

(Image credit: Away)

2. Away

Best weekend bags for flying

Specifications

RRP: $$$

Reasons to buy

+
Thoughtful details
+
Minimalist design

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive 

Away was dreamt up to make travel easy. No more scrambling for your passport at checkout or sitting on your suitcase to wrestle everything in. With an Away weekend bag, the packing process is simple and streamlined thanks to a multitude of carefully considered pockets, hardwearing fabrics and sleek designs. Even better, Away offer a 100 day trial, so you can put your new weekend bag buy through it's paces before committing. 

Away weekend bags - Fashion editor's picks


navy weekend bag

(Image credit: Longchamp)

3. Longchamp

Best designer weekend bags

Specifications

RRP: $$$

Reasons to buy

+
Quality fabrics
+
Timeless designs 

Reasons to avoid

-
High-end price tags

Luxury French clothing brand Longchamp has been making travel infinitely more glamorous since their launch in 1948. They make some of the best weekend bags for women and its carry-all totes make room for far more than your toothbrush, with the option to expand some versions for extra space. These are an investment purchase, especially if you're opting for a wheeled or leather handheld version. And you can gleefully turn to it year after year, safe in the knowledge it won't have dated since your last trip. 

Longchamp weekend bags - Fashion editor's picks


black large 29L duffle bag

(Image credit: Lulu Lemon)

4. Lululemon

Best weekend bags for city breaks

Specifications

RRP: $$

Reasons to buy

+
Good choice of styles
+
High spec fabrics 

Reasons to avoid

-
Not everyone will like the sporty styles

Next time you're shopping for Lululemon leggings, give its accessories a browse too. As with its clothing offering, Lululemon weekend bags are sleek, sophisticated and sporty. For those that like to go hands-free, there are a variety of different backpacks and totes on offer, in a range of shapes and sizes. Totes and duffles offer maximum storage space. Look out for bags with space to store your sweaty kit post-workout too. 

Lululemon weekend bags - Fashion editor's picks


roll top duffle bag

(Image credit: Rains)

5. Rains

Best durable weekend bags

Specifications

RRP: $$

Reasons to buy

+
Waterproof
+
Chic shapes

Reasons to avoid

-
Not many internal pockets

We hope our trips come with a side helping of a rain-free forecast, but unfortunately, that's not always the case. Enter Rains, already making some of the best waterproof jackets, they inject this waterproofing knowledge into their bags too. Its signature PU rubber fabric is impressively durable and looks good too, with a chic matte finish. For extra peace of mind, each Rains purchase comes with a 2-year product warranty. 

Rains weekend bags - Fashion editor's picks


tan weekend bag

(Image credit: Katie Loxton)

6. Katie Loxton

Best cute weekend bags

Specifications

RRP: $$

Reasons to buy

+
Option for personalization
+
Stylish designs 

Reasons to avoid

-
Materials might not be hardwearing 

All Katie Loxton designs have been created in-house by Katie and her team, so attention to detail comes as standard. Expect stand-out hardware, a range of colorways and some of the best weekend bags for women, alongside everyday crossbody, and backpack styles. There's the option for personalization too, so you'll always know which bag is yours when rummaging in the overhead compartment.

Katie Loxton weekend bags - Fashion editor's picks


The North Face suitcase

(Image credit: The North Face)

7. The North Face

Best weekend bags for active trips

Specifications

RRP: $$

Reasons to buy

+
Functional fabrics
+
Practical pockets 

Reasons to avoid

-
All casual designs 

If your idea of a weekend away is more camping than glamping, listen up. What The North Face doesn't know about technical clothing and accessories isn't worth knowing, and its weekend bags are brimming with impressive features. Just don't forget to pack your walking boots

The North Face weekend bags - Fashion editor's picks


rucksack

(Image credit: Stubble & Co)

8. Stubble & Co

Best weekend bags for outdoor excursions

Specifications

RRP: $$

Reasons to buy

+
Practical design
+
Waterproof fabrics
+
Hidden compartments

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited color choices

If you're looking for something stylish but casual that also packs in a load of practical features then Stubble & Co fits the bill. It offers a limited range of bags that are each designed for different needs but that all come with the practical features you might want for that occasion. Waterproof fabrics and clever design details are a plus. Making some of the best weekend bags for women, it also has sleek styles for every day too.

Stubble & Co weekend bags - Fashion editor's picks

Jess Beech

Jess Beech is an experienced fashion and beauty editor, with more than eight years experience in the publishing industry. She has written for woman&home, GoodtoKnow, Now, Woman, Woman’s Weekly, Woman’s Own and Chat, and is a former Deputy Fashion & Beauty Editor at Future PLC. A beauty obsessive, Jess has tried everything from cryotherapy to chemical peels (minus the Samantha in Sex and The City-worthy redness) and interviewed experts including Jo Malone and Trinny Woodall.

With contributions from