This seems to be a simple answer for anyone who only carries a laptop.   But if you carry a purse, my recommendation is to make it count.  That doesn’t mean get the largest bag and pack it to the max – it just means make it the most flexible.

It can be stylish and functional at the same time.    

Here are a few suggestions based on my experience:

·       Use a bag that is easily wiped off and doesn’t absorb liquid – usually leather or a patent finish. Remember where this bag will be going – under the seat in front of you …on the floor.   I have had the unfortunate experience of the passenger in front of me spilling their entire beverage can and it wasn’t a fun situation for either them or me, especially at the beginning of a trip.  

·       The bag must have a zip top or be a flap that keeps things from falling out.  Ever hear someone’s water bottle or phone hit the floor and go sliding or rolling?  It’s worse when you have a bag with a bunch of little things in it tip over under the seat.

·       The bag should be able to be short enough to stand up under the seat in front of me. Every once in a while I have a larger one and need to lay it on its side,but it is completely zipped up.  

·       The bag needs to be big enough to hold all my things AND zip shut.  But not so large I end up with a sore shoulder carrying it. Let’s face it, if you give yourself the space - it’s easy to keep stuffing things in that bag until it’s completely filled up.

·       The bag should have both a shoulder strap AND a handle; it gives me options and when it does get too heavy, I can carry it by the handle.  It’s also easier to set the bag on top of my rolling luggage and grasp both handles at the same time. I have a couple of bags where it's just a shoulder strap, but not as long as a cross-body strap, but the handle easily hooks over my luggage handle.

·       I prefer the bag have one big open compartment; it gives me flexibility on what I can put into it.

·       And lastly, it needs to be stylish enough to serve both the purpose of holding everything and doubling as my purse.

‍

 Here are a couple of my favorite purses to travel with -

‍

Everyone travels differently so there isn’t a right or wrong answer here … just experiences to share!

‍