The best travel tote is roomy but not shapeless. Bottega Veneta's black Intrecciato Hop, The Row's dark brown Marlo 14, Loewe's brown suede and leather Bilbao and Liffner's black belted leather tote are all generous without feeling bulky.

A structured leather tote keeps its shape even when it is packed full. Saint Laurent's brown Le 5 à 7 Bea tote and Métier's dark brown Private Eye tote are the most polished. Jil Sander's black Foro tote and Demellier's dark green New York tote are simpler and easy to carry every day.

Canvas and nylon are light and hardwearing, which helps on long travel days. Gucci's beige Savoy tote and Kallmeyer's navy Driving tote are both canvas with leather trim. Valesque's red Thea tote and Anya Hindmarch's black ECONYL tote are made from lighter technical fabrics.

Suede totes are softer and slouchier, so they squash into an overhead bin more easily. Alaïa's army green cut-out Mina tote and Fane's crimson Lisse tote are the most striking. Tod's chocolate suede tote and Staud's brown Christos tote are warm neutrals for fall.

For a few nights away, step up to a weekend bag. The Row's black Agnes 15 and Smythson's black Norton bag are classic and understated. Lié Studio's dark brown Eva Weekend tote is softer, and Dries Van Noten's bead-embellished floral-jacquard bag is the one with personality.

Travel bags get more use than almost anything else you own, so think about how you actually travel before choosing one. If you take one thing away, let it be that the right size matters more than the label: it should fit a laptop, a sweater and your daily essentials without straining. Structured leather looks the smartest on arrival, while canvas and nylon are lighter to carry through long terminals. Suede is lovely but less forgiving in the rain. We would skip totes with no closure at all if you are heading somewhere busy. For longer trips, a weekend bag that fits in the overhead bin saves waiting at baggage claim.