Carry on escaping: five stylish weekend bags

Thanks to a bank holiday at either end, you can’t beat the month of May for a long weekend in Europe. Whether you fancy sunning yourself in the south of France or relaxing on a country escape in the Cotswolds, fashion writer Grace Cook has a stylish bag for any type of mini breaker

Best for… a city break

Handcrafted in the brand’s leather factory in Detroit, Shinola’s large carryall (£1,110) is just the ticket for a sophisticated weekend in the city. Made using the finest-quality leathers in America, the holdall is lightweight yet big enough to fit in all the essentials. The detachable shoulder strap is padded for extra comfort, the mini inner pocket is great for storing phones, keys and passports, and the bigger pocket can hold a Kindle.

Best for… a beach escape

Delsey’s Chatelet case (£305) recalls all the elegance of a May bank holiday in the 1950s spent in sunny Monaco. The classic cream design with tan-leather trim looks chic and sophisticated, and is perfect for packing your wide-brim straw sunhat in (bonus: the hard casing will also stop hats getting bashed up). Although vintage in style, this case is equipped with modern trappings to ensure a smooth trip through the airport: the telescopic handle, four double-spinner wheels and patented integral braking system make navigation a dream.

Best for… big adventures

What says adventure-ready better than a camouflage holdall? This Herschel Supply travel duffle ($99.99) is waterproof, comes with stowable backpack straps, and features a clip-fastened laundry bag and a separate shoe compartment, making it the ideal accompaniment to an adventurous (and potentially muddy) getaway. Additional utility handles make the 63-litre bag easy and comfortable to transport – great if you’re also carrying camping equipment.

Best for… a business trip

The Voyager Weekender ($725) could just be a business traveller’s best friend. Not only is it crafted from a chic and supple leather, but it comes equipped with Wi-Fi supplied by Karma, so you can stay connected on the go when travelling in the US. Spacious enough to hold five days worth of clothes, the bag also comes with an external tech pocket, secured by a zip – perfect for headphones, phone chargers, pens and notebooks.

Best for… a country jaunt

Nature lovers rejoice: the eco-nylon used in Stella McCartney’s Falabella Go (£715) weekend bag comes from recycled yarns, while the lining is made from recycled plastic bottles, as part of the brand’s commitment to animal- and eco-friendly fashion. The handles have the signature Falabella interwoven diamond-cut chain, meaning other items can be bought to mix and match – the range also includes a backpack and dog lead. The fact that any muddy spots can be wiped off is a mere bonus.

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This article has been tagged Fashion + Style, Travel Tips