The Only Travel Purse Worth Packing for Your Next Vacation
Lightweight, easy to carry, and surprisingly roomy, this style deserves a spot in your suitcase.
While investing in the right luggage sets and weekender bags can make your transit from Point A to Point B significantly easier, picking the best travel purse is just as critical. Yes, there are plenty of options and silhouettes on the market, but a crossbody bag is undoubtedly the way to go: Thanks to its lengthy strap that stretches from shoulder to hip, this convenient design eliminates the hassle of hauling around a handheld carryall.
However, not just any crossbody can be a game-changing travel bag. You have to really consider the design and details, like ensuring it has the right number of pockets and a secure closure. It takes some work. So, to make things easier for you, Marie Claire consulted Yolanda Edwards of travel and lifestyle site Yolo Journal, and Brooke Saward, the writer behind travel blog World of Wanderlust, on what to look for.
According to Edwards, crossbodies that convert into evening bags are a favorite amongst the well-traveled set, as they can easily transition from sightseeing to Aperitivo hour. (She cites Ferragamo’s Iconic Top Handle as her favorite.) Meanwhile, Saward suggests fanny packs equipped with several compartments, as they're exceptionally functional.
Whether you’re navigating packed airport terminals or embarking on daylong excursions, you’ll want to have a solid travel purse by your side. Ahead, shop a curated edit of 20 coveted styles, from designer handbags to affordable alternatives. Plus, Edwards and Saward provide more insight into how to find the best crossbody bags for travel.
Best Crossbody Bags for Travel
- Best Convertible Crossbody Bag for Travel: Ferragamo Iconic Top Handle
- Best Small Crossbody Bag for Travel: Cuyana Mini System Tote
- Best Large Crossbody Bag for Travel: Longchamp Le Pliage Energy Recycled Nylon Crossbody Bag
- Best Performance Crossbody Bag for Travel: Lululemon All Night Festival Bag
- Best Multi-Compartment Crossbody Bag for Travel: Tumi Tyler Crossbody Bag
Best Convertible Crossbody Bags for Travel
Nothing is more versatile than a crossbody made with a detachable strap. With just one snap, one bag becomes two: You can wear it on your shoulders, across the body, or as a top-handle, going from day to night with ease.
“I love how Ferragamo’s crossbody bag becomes a top-handle purse that I carry to fancy lunches or dinners,” says Edwards.
For equally stunning options that also have an upscale appeal, consider designs from Madewell, Strathberry, and Coach, all of which deliver a two-in-one effect.
Best Small Crossbody Bags for Travel
Small crossbody bags are ideal for light packers who prefer to carry as little as possible. That said, Saward warns that your bag shouldn’t be too compact, or else you’ll be left juggling all your essentials by hand. “It should at least be able to hold your wallet, passport, and lip balm," she says. These bags from Cuyana, Tory Burch, DeMellier, and Chloé do just that.
Best Large Crossbody Bags for Travel
While there's nothing wrong with a standard tote bag, you might be tempted to throw in non-essentials, resulting in an aching shoulder at the end of the day. Instead, try a large crossbody bag that’s sizable enough to carry your things but not too bulky to be burdensome. Coach and Longchamp offer tote-like shapes, while Liffner and Athleta provide trendy bucket and hobo bag alternatives.
Best Performance Crossbody Bags for Travel
If your trip involves sweat-inducing activities like hiking up a mountain or running along the shore, you'll want to invest in a performance crossbody bag. Saward's leading choice is July’s Everyday Belt Bag, because it has helped her keep her belongings “easily accessible and organized."
Other options from Dagne Dover, Lululemon, and BÉIS are just as functional. Plus, all are stitched with water-resistant fabrics, so your precious items will be protected in the face of rain showers or downpours.
Best Multi-Compartment Crossbody Bags for Travel
Provided your main priority is to keep your possessions tidy, you’ll want to opt for a crossbody bag with multiple zippered compartments. Choose a bag from Varley, Away, Leatherology, or Tumi to ensure that your keys, wallet, phone, and credit cards will be sorted and secure.
How We Chose the Best Crossbody Bags for Travel
To compile this list of the crossbody bags, Brooke Knappenberger and Lauren Tappan referenced their own collections, and consulted Yolanda Edwards of travel and lifestyle site Yolo Journal and Brooke Saward, the writer behind travel blog World of Wanderlust.
Why Trust Us
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand
Meet the Experts
Yolanda Edwards is the founder of Yolo Journal, a magazine and newsletter dedicated to traveling. She's also a longtime magazine editor, having previously worked as a photo editor at Condé Nast Traveler and later as the publication's creative director.
Brooke Seward is a travel expert who's spent the last 10 years blogging about her travels on the World of Wanderlust blog and Instagram account. She shares her tips, tricks, and guides on her favorite cities and how to navigate solo traveling, as well as a Masterclass on travel blogging. She's the author of World of Wanderlust, which features her best travel tips and stories from her travels through Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, Oceania, and the Middle East.
