Updated August 8, 2024

Have you found a perfect purse for your travels? If so, congratulations! If you’ve experimented with anti-theft purses that are too heavy or struggled with others that are missing important features, maybe it’s time to create your own. Designing the perfect travel purse, for me, was an attempt to create a small, lightweight purse that I could wear door to door on travel days.

Designing the perfect travel purse

I’d had too many frustrating experiences with ill-conceived strategies for carrying travel documents and negotiating airport security. One benefit though, was that they offered ideas on what features were missing and what I’d like to see in a design.

I  had plenty of ideas, but neither the talent nor the skills to bring them to fruition. Thankfully, I found someone in the community with both the creativity and willingness to take on the project.

Desirable features

I shared my thoughts on what my perfect travel purse might look like:

• a purse that could double as a organizer for travel documents and related essentials
• chic enough to double as an evening purse
• adjustable strap to allow it to be worn crossbody so as to remain hands-free
• small enough that I could protect it with one hand
• packable, to fit in my personal carry-on/daypack during security screening
• large enough to accommodate essentials (e.g., itinerary, boarding passes, travel wallet, iPhone, cash, passport, trusted traveller card, laminated emergency contact information card, and printed destination address
• three or four internal zippered pockets to deter pickpockets
• a colour such as black that would be versatile enough to wear with any outfit

The advantage of consulting a professional is that she knows her craft. I had no sooner finished describing these features, when Carmen offered some suggestions.

• Grabbing a copy of the itinerary and boarding passes I’d brought, Carmen asked what I thought about a plastic window on the front (or back) of the purse. Brilliant!! Boarding passes could be lined up in order of flight segments. Information on the next flight would always be visible without having to remove the boarding pass. Checking flight, gate numbers, and boarding times could be quickly and easily accomplished on the fly.
• To deal in an organized way with loose change, Carmen suggested a tiny removable coin purse attached to a plastic O-ring with an internal strap.
• For the transition to evening purse, would I appreciate a short removable wrist strap? Of course, the shoulder strap would also be removable.
• How about one or two zippered pockets on the outside of the purse?
• Would I prefer fabric or leather? Did I have a preference for the type and colour of fabric for the lining?

The ideas flowed, and the various contents destined for my perfect travel purse were measured.

A few days later, I couldn’t have been more pleased with the results. Carmen had created one of my favourite and most used travel aids.

My packable travel purse

1. Lightweight

It’s light and functional. Empty, it weighs just 6.5 ounces (185 grams) and measures 8.5 by 6 by 1.5 inches (21.5 by 15 by 3.8 centimetres). The soft and supple black leather exterior is complemented by a light grey satin lining. The choice of materials adds a touch of style to what could have been a fairly ordinary accessory.

2. Wearable

On each trip, I wear it from door to door, taking it off only to pass through airport security. It fits in the top of my personal item. There’s no need to leave anything exposed in the trays on the conveyor belt during screening. It’s so comfortable, I don’t bother removing it during the flight or at any other time before reaching my destination. I figure the purse and its contents are safer worn diagonally across my body than stowed in my personal item. Essential items are within easy reach at all times.

3. Zippered compartments

Two of the three zippered pockets in the internal compartment accommodate my iPhone and wallet. My passport sleeve and plastic currency pouch fit comfortably in the third. As the entire internal compartment closes with another zipper, a pickpocket would need to negotiate two zippers to reach any one of these things. Depending on the weather and the destination, it’s small enough to wear under a jacket for additional security and protection.

It has enough room for a few other items regularly reached for during a flight or when out and about (e.g., hand sanitizer, lotion, antiseptic wipes, lip balm, soap leaves, tissues, tablet towels, reading glasses, pen to complete customs and immigration forms).

When using it as a day or evening purse, the zippered back pockets are just the right size for a transit card or room key.

Conclusion

The purse has worked so well on various trips that a slightly larger version has been created to accommodate an iPad mini. My updated packable travel purse remains one of my favourite travel accessories.

If you’re looking for a handmade travel purse, the online marketplace Etsy has a large selection.

If you found this post helpful, please share it by selecting one or more social media buttons. Have you ever designed or created your own travel purse? If you’ve published a post or pictures, please provide a link in the comments. Thank you.

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