Do You Wear Your Nice Bags Abroad?

Plus: are you a bag for each travel day or a one-and-done kinda packer?

Chanel 2.55 Do You Wear Nice Bags Abroad1

By Kaitlin Serio • Apr 17, 2023

“It’s not a fashion show.” My mom used to say to me as a teen when I whined that all my outfits weren’t fitting into my carry-on. I likely sassed her back with some iteration of “life is a fashion show,” and 15 years later, we’re having the same discussion as we get ready to travel to Paris in two weeks.

To sum up the above: I’m not a light packer. I never have been, and I can’t imagine I ever will be. I like options. I need options, and contrary to popular belief, I do believe that everyday life is indeed a fashion show. *shrugs*

Coincidentally enough, one of my friends is also traveling abroad this spring, departing a few days before me. She and I were having a similar discussion about outfit planning and packing. I laughed when she said she’ll be packing as lightly as possible because my packing philosophy is exactly the opposite.

Matchy, Matchy

While I know it’s unrealistic, I’ll do my very best to ensure each outfit is paired with different shoe/bag combos that match each vibe. My packing motto is: even if you think you have enough stuff, jam in some more.

Packing mentalities aside, heavily packing your suitcase full of designer duds is also two-fold, and for many, there is a concern of safety when traveling abroad. My mom, who is my travel partner this time around, expressed concerns over pick-pocketing and even heard of crossbody bags being cut off of tourists by thieves.

Being that I live in a big city like New York, I don’t find it a concern, and I’m not planning on changing my aesthetic to be less loud for this trip. Rather I’m planning to bring at least 4-5 different designer bags with me to match my outfits for day and night.

To Carry or Not to Carry

Have you traveled abroad recently to Paris or elsewhere? Do you carry your designer bags abroad? I’m genuinely curious and would love to know your thoughts!

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Caroline

1 month ago

I find the very premise of the question asked in the title completely xenophobic, as it implies that abroad is somehow more dangerous than “at home” (aka the USA). Another cringe from PurseBlog. What is happening to this site??

Irene

23 days ago

Reply to Caroline

I don’t think that’s what the PB implies. It’s simply because when you go on a holiday most people want practicality and designer bags are actually not that practical.

psny15

1 month ago

Reply to Caroline

this is perfectly valid question and while i do carry my bags abroad – i do not wear my jewelry or watches when i travel abroad – abroad has to do with familiarity of location (what to avoid etc.) rather than xenophobia!

Canuck85

1 month ago

Reply to Caroline

Xenophobic?? Seriously, can nobody ask a question without a weird connotation?

Kasha

1 month ago

Reply to Caroline

@caroline, I was thinking exactly the same. It seems the writer assumes (a) all readers live in the United States, and (b) places beyond US borders are dangerous. Unfortunately no one caught this prior to publication and it’s a poor reflection of the Purse Blog & Purse Forum, as many readers of both do not live in the United States.

Brenda

1 month ago

Reply to Caroline

Increased risk of theft and damage at the airport, in the hotel and customs. That’s not xenophobic

Kameron

1 month ago

Reply to Caroline

I don’t see it as the idea that abroad is more dangerous. Home can be dangerous too—it’s just that at home, you know what to avoid and how to get along within your own culture. At home, there are still places I don’t go after dark, where I don’t carry a flashy bag, don’t take public transportation, etc. When traveling abroad, you are naturally more vulnerable because you don’t have a sense of those things, might not speak the language, etc. and you don’t know how to navigate well to avoid risk.

What’s more xenophobic IMO is going to a new locale and never stepping foot outside of a fancy resort. People who intend to explore a new destination might naturally be more cautious.

N R

1 month ago

Reply to Caroline

Seriously?! Abroad can be more dangerous. It just depends which country you’re talking about.

Caroline

1 month ago

Reply to N R

Yes “seriously.” If you can’t understand that, you are part of the problem.

Sofia

1 month ago

Reply to Caroline

You’re laughable. In any other city you are a tourist; tourists are targeted. Even a New Yorker is a tourist in Paris, rome, london – to name a few top cities with lower crime rates than nyc. My family from Chicago was robbed silly on the Parisian subway – and you can’t compare the high crime rates of Chicago with Paris. Whatever third world country you’re from and you feel safe in, best believe a tourist visiting there would be a target for theft or worse, just as you’d still be targeted in ‘safe’ cities. But you must have a serious inferiority complex about your home to pick on smt like that.

N R

1 month ago

Reply to Caroline

I am from one of the countries that could be considered unsafe for female travelers specially the ones with expensive items on them. It’s not xenophobic to talk about these things. I learnt what not to do at an early age and tourists should be warned about them too.

Caroline

1 month ago

Reply to N R

So am I. So what?
But you seem to look at the Purseblog issues with blinders. This is a recurring theme both on the blog and in TPF. It’s comforting my decision to never post in the forum anymore.

K Diamond

1 month ago

Reply to Caroline

Good Riddance…less drama.
There’s always a bozo that needs their thimb and a safe space.

N R

1 month ago

Reply to Caroline

So this. Convenience and safety are practical travel issues.
People should be allowed to pose questions and have this discussion without being accused of xenophobia.

Mopsy

1 month ago

Reply to N R

So phrase it ‘Do you wear your nice bags travelling’. Caroline did not make an unreasonable point that the title smacks of stereotypical US arrogance and ignorance.

N R

1 month ago

Reply to Mopsy

I think casually throwing around terms like xenophobia is unreasonable.
And yes, some countries/cities/towns/neighborhoods are more unsafe than others. Making a choice based on that knowledge is common sense not xenophobia.

chip

1 month ago

Reply to Mopsy

Abroad is a generic term. It just means a country outside your home country. I don’t live in the US and we also ask this question. What do you pack when going abroad? Should I bring designer stuff abroad? Jeez.
But yes, I bring low key items. Small, non-descript jewelry and understated bags. It also depends on what I will be doing during the trip.

Carolina D

1 month ago

The comments on this article are very strange. People want to feel oppressed so badly…
To me, this article wasn’t about feeling unsafe in other countries with designer goods but rather, is the packing worth being ultra fabulous on a short trip (whether it’s a few days or a few weeks)
Is it worth possibly crushing your bag in your luggage or risking the airlines possibly losing your baggage?
When I travel, I usually only bring 1-2 designer bags. One being my personal item and the other in a hard case carryon trunk (I got mine from Calpak and it’s been great so far)
This has been the only solution that has worked for me. No loss or damage to my bags and no paranoia for me 🤣

Carolina D

1 month ago

Reply to Carolina D

Also, unfortunately SOME countries are not the safest place to carry a designer bag. Like my native Brasil. When I go home to visit family in Rio, I either bring a small no logo bag like my bottega loop or a non designer item.

Just A Girl

1 month ago

As a general principal whether I am traveling abroad or in the US I have found that most pick pockets and thieves hang out where the pickings are easy which usually means tourist areas. The most important thing I do is make sure my bags aren’t easily accessible. I also avoid backpacks as the last time I was mugged they used the backpack to physically control me by pulling me backward before they took my stuff. Forget the bag. It is losing your ID that is the real problem.

Samantha

1 month ago

Reply to Just A Girl

I’m sorry this happened to you. I carry backpacks when I travel and wear them in the front. It looks awkward, but I feel I can better thwart a pickpocket. However, maybe I shouldn’t carry one because I may not be as safe as I believe.

J H

1 month ago

I travel to France usually two or three times per year. I carry a Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis that I wear as a crossbody bag and sometimes bring a Chanel crossbody bag along in my luggage if I want to switch bags or want something a bit smaller for some days/evenings. The Pochette Metis is a wonderful travel purse — it holds more than it looks like it does and the zippered pocket in the back is perfect for my passport. I started with the crossbody style after I caught someone redhanded in my Louis Vuitton Artsy on Metro Line 4 near the Cite station. Now, when I travel to places with pickpockets, I stick to one of my crossbody bags and leave everything else at home. If I am not concerned about pickpockets, I carry any of my bags but usually only one or two bags for the trip.

work_for_Purse

1 month ago

Reply to J H

I agree with J H. LV is best for travel. I usually carry Speedy B so i have option to carry by hand or shoulder.

lalarey

1 month ago

There are a number of reasons to consider this without being xenophobic. Having your bad stolen sucks, wherever you are. That said, you might be more likely to be robbed in an unfamiliar place, whether that’s another country, or even in NYC if you’re from a small town and you look like an easy mark because you’re looking around wide-eyed at the billboards and distinctive architecture. Add to that being in a foreign country where you are unfamiliar with your options for recourse. Having your wallet or phone stolen in a foreign country is a whole new level of headache that makes it a very serious consideration when deciding which bag to wear. I don’t wear my designer bags out and about during the day and in touristy areas but I will bring them if we’re going straight from the hotel to dinner or the theater.

Samantha

1 month ago

Reply to lalarey

This was me on my first trip to NYC, years ago. Getting off a bus someone hit my back. I confronted him, but my husband rushed me away. He stole $700 in cashier’s checks from my purse, but I was reimbursed. Lesson learned.

Terri

1 month ago

I only carry my bags in countries that I feel safe.
I got pickpocketed in some countries before and even got my rental van window smashed once! Good thing there was nothing inside except for a pair of sunglasses and a jacket.
I store my valuables in hidden compartments in my jacket or use a belt bag and wear a jacket/coat on top. Not exactly fashionable but it does the trick.

Eleni

1 month ago

I do absolutely when I travel home to Greece I use my Goyard ST Louis, my Prada crossbody, my Prada white shoulder bag and my Loewe basket bag usually are my go to’s sometimes I will also pack my Dior Saddle bag too

Biogirl

1 month ago

I try to bring one really small bag for quick walks and one larger one for most of my sight-seeing to shove in things for every possibility. If it fits a light raincoat or umbrella, all the better! I don’t worry so much about brands but I do try to bring more subtle bags without lots of logos for security. I also try to make sure at least one of the bags can withstand rain, but that’s a toughie since many luxury bags aren’t meant to get wet…

beebee

1 month ago

I usually carry my nylon Longchamp. Mostly, because it is convenient and I do not have to worry about damaging my holy grail bag.

Turtle

1 month ago

I usually bring 3-4 bags that are more discreet, with a couple serving dual purposes:
1. Longchamp Le Pliage (used as a purse, for day trips, or sometimes to protect the pricier bags)
2. Prada Nylon crossbody (sometimes worn with the logo facing inwards) or patent Burberry crossbody for sightseeing
3. BV pouch or LV epi pochette for dinners out (which doubles as a bag organizer)

When traveling function and throw-around-ability are my main priorities while also feeling like I’m carrying bags that “feel like me”.