I’ve always been a self-proclaimed jetsetter, but I feel like my travel has really picked up a lot this first half of 2026. I’ve been go-go-going, which has allowed me to edit and refine my jetsetting methods as well as the most important part of any trip — the packing. Packing (and packing well) is a passion of mine; when you travel as often as I do, you learn pretty quickly that there’s no “winging it” when it comes to buying the right travel bags and organizing them the right way so I have some strong opinions and suggestions to share with you today.
What Makes a Travel Bag Worth It
I definitely have certain criteria. Every travel bag I own serves a specific purpose whether it’s a piece of luggage, a carry-on tote, or one of the many beauty and accessory cases in my arsenal. I’ll be going into specifics throughout this post, but to give you a high-level overview of what I look for in a travel bag, it’s all about durability, lightness, organization, and versatility.
Durability. You want your travel bag to hold up and stand the test of time (not to mention countless TSA lines, overhead bins, and sometimes rough handling with checked bags).
Lightness. This is imperative because packing and hauling all your things from one state or country to another is already a lot, so the bag itself being heavy is a hard no from me.
Organization. If a bag doesn’t have all the right compartments, zippers, and slots to make your travel life easier, then it shouldn’t even be considered.
Versatility. This is part of my overall style philosophy and when it comes to travel bags, it’s no different. We don’t want something loud and trendy. Classic, modern, and goes-with-everything is always the answer.
So with all that in mind, let’s chat about the 22 tested and approved travel bags that I legitimately use and swear by.
Best Luggage for Every Type of Trip
Trunk Plus
This is new to my personal line-up and quite literally the most amazing trunk luggage I’ve ever used. Not only do Rimowa products have a lifetime guarantee, but the style and quality is unmatched which is what makes them such solid investment pieces. While I usually stick with black for luggage, there was something so enticing about the gorgeous glossy green. Plus, I consider green a neutral when it’s done right and this Rimowa Trunk Plus is done very right. The aluminum makes this large piece of luggage light as air so you’re not packing an already-heavy bag, therefore it checks all my boxes and is a true winner.
Cabin Carry-On
Obviously, I had to get the matching carry-on to keep it all in the Rimowa family in this gorgeous green. It’s made with the same lightweight aluminum material (AKA high-performance polycarbonate) and is the perfect carry-on size that fits comfortably in an overhead bin so you can keep your essentials nearby.
Carry-On Spinner Luggage
If you’re not in need of a full set and want something luxury under $400, the Monos 23-inch carry-on is an amazing choice. It has a little more room than your standard carry-on, the handle has four different height settings, and the inside contains multiple zip-mesh pockets and compression straps. I will say the wheels spin very well, maybe a little too well! If I’m walking on a hard surface, I feel like it can go a little faster than me but I would say that’s its only flaw. Otherwise, this is a wonderful luxury alternative to the Rimowa.
Luggage Set
As far as best budget options go, Amazon’s Basics Luggage set takes the cake. With this set, you get a large suitcase, a mid-size suitcase, and the perfect size carry-on roller. All three pieces are extremely lightweight and hold up; truly, these bags have been with me all over the world and have only suffered the most minor wear and tear.
Best Carry-On Totes & Personal Item Bags
Birkin 40
It’s a big statement to make, but my Hermes Birkin 40 has become my everyday carry-on tote. Even though I bought it second-hand, it was still five figures so I quickly put it to work as my new travel buddy to immediately start getting serious ROI on this piece. This is the epitome of an investment piece, so I’m not here to tell you it’s a “must”; I’m just personally excited that I finally got one and am using it as often as I can. No regrets.
St. Louis GM Tote
If you’ve been following me long enough, you know that the Goyard St. Louis GM tote was my travel buddy before the Birkin 40 came into the picture and dethroned her. The Goyard is an exceptional designer travel tote because of its size and shape, especially when you use a tote organizer to help keep its shape. This bag is light as air, can comfortably store all of my immediate needs, and looks super chic while traveling. Read my full review on this tote to get a better idea.
Monogram Keepall Bandouliere 50
I got this bag second hand from Shopbop and LOVE it. It’s a great carry-on and yes, it fits under the seat. I use it for quick weekend trips, and in the past, have gotten away with filling it with shoes, toiletries, and even my handbag. I think the style would pair beautifully with the Rimowa Cabin. Brown and green just make sense together.
Weekender Bag
If a true weekender is what you’re looking for, this one by Lo & Sons (large size featured) is one of the best travel bags for planes because of its trolley sleeve that slides over the handle of your rolling bag for efficiency and ease throughout your travels. It’s also a wonderful budget weekender pick if you’re not ready to invest in a Keepall.
Best Travel Cosmetic & Vanity Cases
Cosmetic Vanity Cases
I was a Cuyana girl for years. But after nearly a decade of perpetual use, the leather was wearing out and the cases unfortunately just started to look sort of dingy. I decided to treat myself and my traveling habit with an upgrade by getting both the Louis Vuitton Nice BB and Nice Mini. I use the BB for skincare and the Mini for makeup, but that’s just me, feel free to organize each however works best for your toiletries while traveling!
Cosmetic Pouch
I like to stick with matching pieces, if you couldn’t tell. So it was a no-brainer for me to add this cosmetic pouch to my travel luggage set. This is my catch-all for immediate essentials like charging cords, my Kindle, and other small electronic devices.
Best Hair Tools Travel Bag
Hair Tools Case
This $34 Amazon purchase completely changed my hair care game when traveling. It perfectly houses all my heat-styling tools and even has a built-in pad to set them on when they’re hot so they don’t accidentally touch something they’re not supposed to. I never travel without it.
Best Travel Jewelry Organizer
Jewelry Case
Say hello to your new travel buddy that only costs $20 and does an incredible job of protecting all your jewelry. I love the system of this jewelry organizer; the individual, velvet-lined zipper pouches make separating and finding what pieces you want to wear on your trip so much easier. No more digging around in messy cases that turned upside down during travel and spilled your belongings everywhere; the zipper pouches keep your rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets sealed up tight!
Team Favorites
I asked the Fashion Jackson team what some of their favorite travel bags were, here's what they said:
1. No surprise here, everyone is a fan of the Goyard tote!
2. This tote. It zips, which is great to ensure nothing spills out. It fits my 16" laptop and sits perfectly on top of my carry-on luggage.
3. The Luka Duffel from Calpak in the original size. It comes in tons of colors, the puffy material is so cute, and the inside is very spacious. Most importantly, it fits over the handle of my roller luggage perfectly and, yes — it fits underneath the seat! It also tons of compartments so you can really organize your stuff.
4. I asked for the oversized carry-on roller from Away for Christmas, and I’m so excited about it. I love that you can customize it with a fun monogram, and I'm hoping I find one under the tree!
5. My favorite tote for travel is the Isabel Marant Yenky Tote (regular size, not the small size). The material is very thick and high quality with thick barrel sewn straps, which I love because when I carry my laptop in my Goyard, I always get so nervous about the straps snapping! This bag, though, easily carries a LOT of weight. Plus, the Amazon insert from my Goyard fits perfectly inside so there's plenty of organization opportunity. The height also makes it easy to stash my purse or thick scarf on top for boarding the airplane. I have the black/black colorway.
6. My husband has a Halfday Garment Bag Duffle and uses it ALL the time for his overnight trips now. Would make a great gift for a husband/dad/FIL, etc!
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Where did you get the perfume atomizer you used to get perfume from your main bottle? Thank you.
Here! https://o.bttn.io/0fxD5mc9ij1