Congratulations!
Just a few years or even as recently as a few months ago, you were a solo backpacker with a simple camera, a laptop and a dream. One day, you decided to start writing a blog for a friends and family to follow your travels on; suddenly, that blog was shared with others and next thing you knew, people you never met were liking and following you. Out of blue, you started receiving emails from people wanting to advertise on your website and then- the big time; you started getting offers for sponsored trips. You’ve made it!
You’re no longer sharing a room with 10 strangers and waiting for the next open shower, praying that the water is hot. Nope, you’re putting on the Ritz and the Ritz is paying for you to put it on in some random city whose tourism board flew you to for free. You’re living the 5-star travel life, but you’re still dressing like a 2-star budget traveler and worse, you’re putting all your clothes, electronics and accessories in that fake Northface backpack you bought on Khao San Road when you visited Bangkok two years ago during your stop over between Chiang Mai and Phuket. That’s not gonna cut it anymore.
If you’ve suddenly made the leap from budget traveler to luxe traveler, then your wardrobe and accessories are going to have to make the leap as well. With all that money you’re now saving as you gallivant from one sponsored trip to the next, you can definitely splurge on one of these travel bags this summer.
Jeremy Scott designed Le Pliage bag for Longchamp Paris
The Jeremy Scott for Longchamp, Le Pliage travel bag.
The Le Pliage bag by Longchamp Paris is a cult item on every continent. Fans love the lightweight, fold able vinyl and leather bags. Longchamp Paris- known for quality leather travel bags- has been designing Le Pliage since 1993. Famed fashion designer, Jeremy Scott, once again lends his design touch to Le Pliage, giving it a bold, colorful design sure to turn heads at your next resort.
I Like It Because: It reminds me of Bruce Springsteen’s album cover for his first studio album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. As a born Monmouth County, Jersey boy, I’ve always had an affinity for postcards I see of that style. This bag says one thing, “Travel,” and isn’t that what a travel bag should say?
Where NOT To Bring It: Any where that the sun is not shining.
Where To Buy: Go to Longchamps website and purchase the bag for $320.oo USD
Jeremy Scott designed Le Pliage bag for Longchamp Paris
Another Jeremy Scott designed Le Pliage travel bag for Longchamp Paris.
A bag so nice, I like it twice. The same bag as above with different print. Once again, Scott gives us a travel bag that says what it is meant for- travel. As an avid postcard writer, I love this look. Just be sure to keep it away from dusty and muddy places like Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Same price and purchase link as above.
Beacon Backpack by Balfour
The Beacon Backpack by Barbour
Still not ready to let go of your backpacking roots? Alright, lets compromise and fit you into one of Barbour‘s latest backpack designs.
I Like It Because: From my own memory, the Union Jack as been a great source of fashion inspiration since the punk rock era. With the Queen’s Jubilee and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Union Jack inspired fashions are definitely in. Who better to get you styled in a Great Britain theme than a company that’s been doing it for 118 years?
Where Not To Bring It: Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands
Where To Buy: Purchase on Selfridge’s & Co. website and receive a hat, pin badge and archive notebook set with your order, $321.00 USD.
Camera bag by Couverture and The Garbstore
Garbstore outdoor camera bag.
London’s Garbstore gives us luxe shutterbugs a camera that combines fashion and function. Available in three colorways, each case comes with a removable padded camera case inside it with three size options, large enough to fit a DSLR with 2 lenses.
I Like It Because: Camera bags can be very bulky with little design influence. Companies specializing in camera bags like Lowenpro, often give you function not design, and most are made for professional photographers who need bag that will fit multiple lenses, flashes, remotes and accessories. Face it, if you’re traveling, two lenses should be good enough for the shots you need and this is a bag that’s easy to carry and you don’t have to worry about bumping it into people as you walk down the aisle of a crowded bus or train.
Where Not To Bring It: Any place where a thief will likely leave your camera behind and steal the bag.
Where To Buy: Not yet available at Couverture and The Garbstore’s website but look for it soon at selected retailers.
Weekend Bag for Men by Couverture and The Garbstore
The Garbstore's weekend bag for men.
I’m a firm believer that every man should have a weekend bag. Easy to tote, lightweight and enough room for a weekend that would take you from the beach to the club to her bedroom. The weekend bag says, “I know I am staying over tonight,” without being pushy about it.
I Like It Because: It has two classic colors I love: Navy and cream. Inside the weekend bag’s organic canvas, you have four large pockets and an extra large chamber; plenty of room to separate your tablet from your dirty boxers.
Where Not To Bring It: Not a viable option if you only want to bring one bag and you’re staying longer than a few days.
Where To Buy: Purchase online here at Couverture and The Garbstore for $375.00 USD.
However you travel and wherever you travel, travel in the style that fits you. These are just some of my own recommendations to set you off right, but only you know what makes you look and feel comfortable.
Speaking of travel bags, the lovely ladies at Nomadik Nation show the return of the fanny pack. Check out how the fanny pack now brings chic to your hip. Click here to read.
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