Give me a big bag and I will stuff it with so many items, three-fourths of which I don’t need. When faced with a small bag, I’m forced to strip down to the bare minimum, and to follow a certain plan. Plus, I don’t want to be the one holding up the line, scrounging for what I need at the very bottom of your self-created abyss.

This kind of discipline holds true especially at the airport. You always want to be sure that your passport, ticket, and boarding pass, phone, and other immediate essentials are with you. You want to be able to get them in one clean motion. So apart from investing on your suitcase and your carry-one, always keep a small shoulder bag ready at your side.

Gucci Marmont Mini Bag

I like how this bag keeps its shape, perfect to keep those long boarding passing from getting wrinkled. Plus, you can use this once you land to upgrade any outfit, just look at how Sarah Lahbati does it with her green one. Such a lifesaver, right? Available at Shangri-La Mall.

Mansur Gavriel Saddle Leather Shoulder Bag

With two compartments and a sturdy structure, you can organize everything you need. Stick your cash and card in the inner pocket and even hide a mini-pouch for some makeup (or a sheet mask!) and medication if needed and you’ll be flying worry-free. Available at Homme et Femme, One Rockwell.

Dolce & Gabbana Small Sicily Shoulder Bag

If you really want some extra space in a bag or are the type who keeps the tickets for the rest of the family, aside from other small emergency necessities, the ease of this shoulder bag can help. Plus it comes in an array of colors so it won’t get lost in the sea of steel grey and somber travel hues. Available via Farfetch.

Loewe Puzzle Leather Top Handle Bag

This is another option if you want to carry a few other basic things in your bag without having to worry if they fit. Plus the zipper enclosure is perfect if you hate dealing with clasps. Available via Luisaviaroma.

Marc Jacobs The Mini Maverick Bag

If you need a bag that gets the job done, I guess you’ll be sold on this one that is tagged as an “equestrian-style shoulder bag that doesn’t horse around.” It has an exterior flap pocket for the small objects you need at a second’s notice and an inner-zipped pocket for the valuables you need to safeguard. Available online.

A.P.C. Albane Leather Shoulder Bag

This bag knows its business as it says, “The front pouch pocket is perfect for stowing your cardholder and lipstick.” The inner pocket can hold the rest like your phone. Plus, given it’s rectangular shape, you can file your papers and other needs accordingly. Available via Net-a-Porter.

Lipault Miss Plume Saddle Bag

This bag is a compact companion but is wide enough to hold all the essentials. It also has a shoulder strap so you can wear it as a cross body and a top handle, to hang from your arm as you reach for something. In a rose gold finish, it’ll pop against any airport outfit so you can get some plus points for your airport style also. Available at Samsonite, Power Plant Mall.

Art by Lara Intong

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