When it comes to travelling, whether a quick overnighter or a long-awaited overseas jaunt, part of the fun is in the preparation and packing. And when it comes to packing, there’s nothing quite like deliciously functional but aesthetic luggage to make the soul soar.
It’s love at first flight with our selection of favourite weekender travel bags, suitcases, and totes.
Saben Dusky Rose Luggage, from $369
It’s been a long time between flights, but that’s just as well as the lustworthy Dusky Rose luggage collection has been UNavailable for what seems like forever. However, handbag happiness is officially a go again, with Saben’s highly desirable Dusky Rose luggage family (cabin bag, medium suitcase and large suitcase) joined by newcomers Roman and Milan carryall. There are also sumptuous leather luggage tags, passport holders and even organisors for toiletries, cosmetics and jewellery. Fist pump of excitement.
The luggage range features rose gold hardware, a multi-stage retractable handle, 360-degree dual spinner wheels to glide in any direction, two zippered inner dividers for ease of packing, and a durable moulded polycarbonate case. Inside is a reminder of the users’ ‘wanderlust’, with the slogan ‘you lucky lucky thing’ printed as a pattern on the suitcase lining. Available from early July.
Take a piece of New Zealand with you wherever you travel. Honest Wolf’s range of luxurious everyday essentials includes overnight bags, totes and wallets, showcasing New Zealand wool (from Honest Wolf founders’ third-generation farm, Papanui Estate) at its finest. The Satchel (available in black or taupe) is a seriously stylish multi-tasker, with features that work across both travel and work. The padded laptop compartment keeps electronics away from other daily essentials, along with an internal key clip, accessory pocket, and detachable leather shoulder strap for the option of hands-free wear. A leather panel on the back makes for easy attachment to a wheeled suitcase handle. The finishing touch is the cotton lining featuring a map of the farm where the wool comes from. All Honest Wolf pieces can be monogrammed to the ultimate personalised touch.
Karen Walker Monogram Carry On Bag, $595
Take a slice of Karen Walker style along wherever your adventures may lead. This eye-catching monogrammed carry-on bag is generously sized, with a large zip-up interior cavity and handy pockets lining the inner walls. Crafted in 100% Nappa leather and beautifully presented in tan with red edges, this statement look is completed by the textured Karen Walker monogram and a duo of grab-and-go shoulder straps. Pro Tip: Pair with the matching Karen Walker monogram passport holder and AirPods case.
If organisation soothes your soul, JULY delivers spectacular luggage with all sorts of nifty packing options. It also boasts the world’s lightest double-wheeled carry-on suitcase weighing in at just 1.8kg. Then there’s the high-vibe palette of colour options (we LOVE a matching set), heritage-style trunks, and inbuilt ejectable battery chargers, not to mention the lifetime guarantee. Our go-to is the JULY Carry On Pro, with its detachable SnapSleeve for whipping your laptop (and passport/papers) off from the front of the suitcase at speed through customs or for instant access.
After Story Florence Bag, $229
A travel bag with a difference – or three. The expandable Florence bag is part of a modular system which can connect with two other After Story bags to create the ultimate travel companion (with customisable bag compartments). Florence also performs beautifully solo as a weekender travel bag or convertible backpack. Includes ultra-comfy adjustable compression straps, multi-pockets and is an organisor’s dream. Designed in New Zealand, After Story bags are crafted from premium vegan leather and embody practicality with stylish design.
There’s something to be said for stripping back design to the essentials, editing out the excess for a utilitarian luxury-style statement. This GOOD&CO Everything Tote is the perfect carry-all for office and daily must-haves to a weekend trip away and everything in between. Adjustable straps allow a smooth change from a shoulder bag to a handheld tote. Crafted from 100% heavy-duty cotton canvas for durability (plus water resistance), it’s thoughtfully crafted with 100% leather trim, high-quality polished brass hardware and YKK zips; designed to last for a lifetime.
Deadly Ponies Phantom Duffle Maxi, $1499
An outright New Zealand success story, Deadly Ponies is synonymous with artisanal quality and sumptuous materials. Whether you’re venturing near or far, the Phantom Duffle Maxi is a sophisticated weekender created for those on-the-go. Packed with features designed for max organisation (internal card slot, zip pockets, dual handles and an external rear slip section for sliding onto suitcase handles), it’s the ultimate keeper of essentials. Handcrafted in dual-faced bovine leather with gunmetal brass hardware, and a detachable shoulder strap, the Phantom Maxi can be carried by hand or worn crossbody.
Duffle&Co Greenslade Duffle, $699
The classic duffle is reimagined – handcrafted with a wide u-zip opening for easy access, two magnetic side pockets, stud feet and timeless style. There’s something wonderfully relaxed about a duffle bag, and this Duffle&Co design allows plenty of space, while still fitting within aircraft cabin limits. Duffle&Co is run from New Zealand with ethical production teams in India and Indonesia and fuses naturally derived responsible materials (each Greenslade bag provides 16 hours of work to the Bali workshop).
Swanndri Kingston Overnighter, $279.99
We love a good country meets city moment and this one is a true love match. The rural legacy of Swanndri is beautifully encapsulated in this 100% wool outer overnighter bag, with timeless aesthetic features including leather handles and trim. The iconic Swanndri leather badge adds a stamp of heritage while external pockets for phone and easy passport access make it the ideal carry-on companion. It’s also available in the instantly recognisable Swanndri red and black check, olive and black check or plain olive.
Images supplied