I have a sickening feeling that I accidentally placed my perfect, super-lightweight leather Clare V weekender in one of the giveaway bags during my recent room purge, as I cannot find it anywhere. There exists the hope that it will appear to me once I stop looking for it, as is so often the case with misplaced items, but that hope does not run high. So I’m looking for a replacement, and ideally one that doesn’t cost as much as the one I’ve lost.
This goes for a little more than I want to spend, but it is big enough to fit everything you’d need for a seriously long weekend, and I love the camo print.
This Euro-stylish Fjallraven duffel is currently marked down from its already reasonable price over at Shopbop.
This is, I think, meant for men, but I really dig the perfectly classic shape and the combination of khaki and black.
This Everlane number comes in a few appealing colors, and goes for just under $100.
Here is one that’s on the smaller side—maybe better for an overnight than a full-on weekend—but it’s damn cute, and those exterior pockets always come in handy.
I just think this one is super-smart looking.
This one from Cuyana has a bit of a doctor bag shape that somehow also comes off a little feminine.
I have a luggage problem– in that I love browsing and buying it (I travel a decent amount, but still. I have more bags than travel situations.)–and I will apparently talk at length about bags to friends/acquaintances. The web sites I comment most on are travel and bag sites. I am primarily a plane traveler.
Anyway, HATED the Everlane weekender, which I eventually sold. Poorly balanced, just a black hole of despair, bad shoulder straps. Looks nice, but not actually practical on a plane. Heavy for what it is.
Also had the Fjallraven one, also sold it. It’s better than the Everlane- lighter in weight, better shape and size, less of a black hole of lost stuff– but still, not great for planes. Also not that comfortable to carry fully loaded.
Filson also gets a ding from me for weight. Gorgeous bags, not practical for my neck/back/shoulders. I have a beautiful patina’d zip top tote from circa 2002 or so, before they sold out to and got less good, but I rarely use it because it is too. damn. heavy.
More broadly, heavy canvas and leather is out for me, regardless of how appealing they are aesthetically. If I traveled by car, I’m sure they’d be fine (eh, no, the Everlane one is just a poorly designed bag), but for planes or times requiring lengthy carrying/public transit, give me a nice nylon, either ballistic or ripstop.
My vote goes to the Paravel Main Line duffel. I have it in canvas/camel. It’s super lightweight and folds up in my 22″ Away carry-on:
https://tourparavel.com/products/main-line-duffel/scout
I vote for the Brics bag. I have the slightly bigger 22” Brics X-bag. It’s even good for a two week trip to Europe – very lightweight, surprisingly roomy and occasionally the little snap out bag comes in handy. No wheelies allowed in our house! If you can’t carry it, you are bringing too much stuff. Of course, I will feel free to re-evaluate this stance if by chance a silver Rimowa bag comes into my life.
The best weekender bag I ever had was a bright orange canvas number with blue piping that said “Lucky” on it that you had finagled to be a door prize at a fundraiser for Children’s Rights in 2005 or 2006 or so. I loved that bag – go to weekender, farmers’ market bag, etc. I stupidly stored it in the trunk of my car that I park on city streets in San Francisco, so on a very sad morning I discovered a shattered window, a popped trunk, and all my shopping bags were gone – including the “lucky Lucky bag”
Wow, people are even breaking into cars with no visible valuables now? That’s nuts! And a violation of the urban social compact, if I may be so bold.
I remember that bag, and I remember that night. If I had an extra, I’d send it to you, CK, but I purged my dozens of Lucky totes (and I mean “dozens” literally) when I got the boot.
Anybody use the Away Everywhere bag, that you can pair with an Away carry-on?
https://www.awaytravel.com/travel-bags/everywhere-bag/asphalt-nylon
Also, I use that Herschel Strand Duffel for my daugher’s overnight stay at the grandparents’. It’s very good and durable. Only problem for me, is that one pair of my shoes or boots would fill up almost half of the bag.
Kim, this is not the updated Clare V weekender. More of the duffel style, but just saw this listing on Poshmark.
https://posh.mk/aCQwbbFjtU
This fab Madewell weekender (Clare V lookalike) just sold out, alas, but was listed on Poshmark just today. https://posh.mk/w4jRE9gptU
I just ordered a Filson small duffle in their Rugged Twill and I can’t wait to get it. I think it looks classic and elegant but that it also could still take a beating. Considering how I know the bag will get stored in trunks and overhead compartments, I wanted something sturdy. I’ve been considering it for months now and finally pulled the trigger this week.I got in the green but it comes in tan and navy as well: https://www.filson.com/small-rugged-twill-duffle-bag.html#
I recently bought the Timbuk2 Parcel Tote & I love it. It does get a little bit heavy when I really pack it, but it works as a “personal item” on those airlines that are really limiting on what you can carry aboard. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0781VC18Y/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It’s hard to beat the Longchamp Pliage expandable weekender for usefulness, durability, and price:quality ratio.
The expandable Pliage is the best.
May have to get one of those. The Clare V weekender is the exact dimensions as the longchamp.
Casting my vote for the Nordstrom (Bric’s) one, although I prefer my wekenders to have a thicker (full time) shoulder strap. Still tempted, though.
I vote for the Cuyana; it just seems like the one that could go just as easily to Tokyo as to the beach. I have four Cuyana bags, they hit that beautiful – practical – minimalist trifecta so perfectly.
I nearly bought that weekender bag last week as a Valentine’s Day gift to myself. I have it in brown that I bought years and years ago when it first came out and it’s still great but I thought to get one in black. I ultimately didn’t because the handle drop is too small to fit over the arm. It’s only about 6 inches. The bag I have has a drop of nearly 10. I wish Clare V would address that. It’s too big a bag in my opinion not to fit over the arm and too bulky for the add on long strap. I vote for the Everlane and might look into it myself. I have been LOVING Everlane this year!
Great choices, but the only time everything I packed could fit in a bag as small as these was on a 2-night bicycle trip from L.A. to San Diego. My cosmetics and hair goo, drugs and shoes would fill one of these, with no room left for clothes. How does anyone fit enough for a weekend in a bag this size? Seriously!
Packing cubes!
Thanks for pointing me to that ANDI weekender, Kim! Just bought it (on sale!) in a more basic black; the camo colors are *gorgeous* but I have a fave pair of camo trousers that have become my go-to on getaways, so…chose to go more neutral on the travel bag.
I found out about the ANDI bags via a wonderful commenter here who sung their praises on GOCA (thank you!!) and was able to get the medium and small during a sample sale before the holidays. I took the medium tote as my “personal item” on the plane to Kauai and even the TSA agents were marveling over how many things I had in there, how it was water resistant and durable and really cute. The owner also seems very cool! I hope your bag does turn up, Kim, but I think you’d love that ANDI tote, too!
I am an Andi fan, too! They’re made out of fabric recycled from plastic bottles and they can be (easily!) reconfigured from tote to crossbody to backpack. LOVE.
The owner of the Andi company, not ME! Just realized that looked very weird!
Oh, gosh your loss reminds me of the beautiful leather duffle bag that was stolen when my house was robbed in 2009. I didn’t discover the loss until a few weeks later when I went to pull it out to go on a trip. (Thus solving the mystery of how they managed to transport all the stuff they stole). I replaced it with something similar, but I’ll miss that bag forever.
I am so sorry that happened to you! Mean people are bad.
Banana Republic is selling a couple of good camouflage bags in their men’s section. Maybe not big enough for a weekender, but ok for overnight or daily bag.
If you’re the type who loves lots of organizational features and matching accessories, I recommend taking a look at Dagne Dover. Lots of colors and sizes with great pockets for shoes, laptops, waterbottle, etc and a nice hidden cell phone slot on the outside.
Love your blog, have made so many great purchases based on your suggestions! Have you tried the Lo and Sons Catalina Deluxe bag? It’s my absolute go-to when I am not using my rolling bag. https://www.loandsons.com/products/catalina-deluxe-washed-canvas-dove-grey
I also came to recommend Lo and Sons – recently bought the Catalina Deluxe Tote (I travel quite light) and I love it! https://www.loandsons.com/products/catalina-deluxe-tote-washed-canvas-thistle
Long-time lurker, and I logged in just to suggest the Lo & Sons bags. The “how much can you fit in this bag” videos on their site are incredibly soothing and speak to an easy-breezy hamptons life that I’m sure I could obtain if just for the right bag…
Anyway, they’re roomy as all get-out, and I love the bottom zippered compartment for shoes and sandy beach towels.
Huge second for the Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe. It’s a great weekender and also a fab carry-on for a longer trip. The separate bottom compartment is my favorite. Holds my shoes when I travel for races (definitely don’t want those anywhere near anything else post-half marathon) and keeps my toddler son’s things separate from mine and easily accessible on long flights.
Huge third! Love this bag!
Sorry to hear you can not locate your bag, I have sometimes clothes purged and then realize I went too far. This post makes me want to update my weekender bag game to the Everlane. Is there anything that Everlane is not doing well??
I own and love that Everlane weekender! It holds up very well.
Ugh, so sorry to hear about the Clare V. That’s an Oy and Egad experience for sure. I love all you show although the Everlane is super appealing both because of the size, outside end pocket and the color choices. HOWEVER, being the old grumpy lady that I am, I tend to want all luggage––be it weekender or more accommodating––to be on wheels because I’m just that lazy.
o boy, I feel for you – I too have unintentionally discarded a few things in an overzealous purge.
I love that Everlane – the shape and color.
Wish I’d waited one day for this post! Just bought the Everlane, but was tempted by a large Lo and Sons Catalina bag. Has anyone had one of those?
I have the big Lo and Sons bag. Love it, it’s well made and looks good after a few years of hard use. Fwiw.
Been eyeing the Lo & Sons too. I really like the separate bottom compartment for shoes or dirty laundry. The fabric seems delicate though?
https://www.loandsons.com/products/catalina-deluxe-washed-canvas-teal-blue
Nah, it’s a thick canvas. Thicker than, say, anything you’d wear but not so thick it stands by itself. Thicker than tote bag (or Danish schoolbag) fabric, if that helps.
The colors are pretty so you would think so, but it’s more like vintage Lands End canvas, real sailor stuff.
I bought the Rhodes weekender duffel for husband, Christmas last. It’s really sturdy and a great size. Like pull a floor lamp and a hat stand out of it huge! (sliiiight exaggeration here). He’s a real fan of the zippy shoe compartment on the bottom. This will last him a very long time- and trust me, he’s hard on stuff!
Sorry- forgot to say it was a Lo & Sons- sheesh