Musafiri – 5 Essentials – Appleblossom

Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag
And bury them beneath the sea
I don’t care what the people may say
What the people may say about me
Pack Up your troubles get your old grin back
Don’t worry bout the cavalry
I don’t care what the whisperers say
Cos they whisper too loud for me

Eliza Doolittle

Monsoon has become synonymous with vacations and travel, for the urban working class. The thought of travelling through the greens while its still drizzling makes one start planning for the weekends that fall between June – Sep. Whether you are headed to north eastern- scape of the country to escape the city bustle or are travelling to the lesser explored beach destinations, you will always need to learn the art of packing right and light. It is important to select your bags carefully for travel while bearing in mind that it is utilitarian besides being fashionable.

So we bring you the list of 5 essential bags that you should buy for keeps.

1. Weekender bag

Packaging is important, isn’t it? So why compromise on the bag that carries all your fancy summer wear. Weekender duffel bags are the perfect carry-me bags for those spontaneous weekend getaways. They are your best bet when you want to travel light and avoid baggage check-in.  There are various travel accessories label that design weekender bags in different materials like leather, nylon, canvas, denim and organic fibres.  We recommend weekender bags from The Burlap People and October Jaipur for the urbane travel look.

2. Backpack

If you are a 90’s kid, you would have definitely carried these back packs to school and college. Guess what, Backpacks are back in vogue again. They are here to replace the mod purses and make preppy look cool. What more, besides looking hip, they can hold all your essentials like mobile, passport, make-up kit and shades in organised compartments. The creative nerds can add a customised patch to make their own DIY designer back pack.  The classic lovers can select from denim & leather backpacks whereas the eclectic ones can pick up the ones with boho chic embroidery.

Mohawk Bags and The Burlap People have covered your back for your stylish back pack needs.

3. Tote Bag

Come summer, come winter; what can never go out of style are the quintessential Tote Bags. They are very much like the denims of the ‘bag world’; one can have multiple trendy options, but ought to have a classic piece. Invest in a smart brown tan leather bag and wrap a bright summer scarf to amp up the style quotient. For the fast fashion lovers, there are stunning canvas tote bags available with hand painted art work, digital prints and tassel embellishments.

If you are going for the beach holiday, don’t forget to carry the ‘mermaid tote’ by Cyahi and if your are just going to explore the cities, grab this luxury travelling piece from Nappa Dori.

4. Cross Body bag

Several travelling experts recommend one travel bag that can not only help you stay safe from pickpocketers but also look stylish– the ubiquitous ‘cross body satchel bag’. Opt for the bags with broad straps as they distribute the weight evenly across the shoulder. It is available in cotton, leather, denim and nylon fabrics.  Do you recall the ‘Jhola’ bags that come in bright traditional silk fabrics? They are an interesting take on bohemian cross body bag. Check out interesting ikat and leather satchel bag from Nappa Dori and classic leather bag from Chiaroscuro.

5. Woven Bag

Be it lazing on an exotic beach or walking down the French promenade, a woven straw bag is a must-have for the easy breezy summer vibes. The idyllic picture perfect postcard setting of a straw bag, a leather brimmed hat, pastel scarf and retro white shades is enough to prompt one to start planning the vacation ahead.

Woven straw bags have become a fashion staple for the fashionistas, be it summer or fall. Pick up the one with pom poms, tassles, coins or shells to stand out from the regular.

Get these travel ready bags now and get going, will you?

( Images from the respective websites)

Note – This article was first published in Femina magazine.