Disclosure: stacieflinner.com uses affiliate links and Paravel gifted me luggage in exchange for my honest review. Read the disclaimer here.
I just got back from three weeks in Europe and these two Paravel bags pictured have been my constant companions. I’ve been a long-time fan of Paravel luggage starting my collection with their crossbody capsule and stowaway case last year (original blog post from 2018 here). I love the old world style of their pieces done up in Italian leather and stain-resistant canvas which harken back to the golden age of travel while still feeling completely modern.
Canvas duffels and bags certainly aren’t a new concept, but Paravel has re-engineered their rigorous cotton material to be water and spill-resistant which keeps the light colored fabric looking fabulous even during week after week on the road. I always prefer to travel with carry-on luggage because I often make lots of hops on a trip (7 flights in 3 weeks!), and don’t like waiting at baggage claim (or worrying about my bags reaching my destination!) The bags are lightweight and accented with just enough leather to be beautiful without weighing you down. I also appreciate that while most luggage companies are incorporating new technology like battery packs and USB chargers into their designs, Paravel is staying true to the classics. I plan on owning these bags for 10-15 years, and know that the electronic features popular today will become outdated and useless long before this luggage wears out. Additionally, their styles are perfect whether you love design-y destinations like Hotel Mama on Mallorca (first set of pictures with the graphic tiled floor) or more romantic settings like Les Rosees boutique hotel in Provence (the yellow floral room at the bottom of this post!).They’re also work well for men or women so your significant other can borrow them – assuming you let them! : ) If you want them all to yourself you can have them monogrammed with your initials or a whimsical motif from their art collection. Whatever your vibe Paravel’s bags are excellent travel companions!
I’m such a sucker for a matching set of luggage and I currently own the Weekender, the Grand Tour Duffle, the Stowaway and the Crossbody Capsule all pictured and linked below. I love traveling with the Crossbody Capsule + Stowaway for overnight trips to my parents’ house or destinations near San Francisco, and the Weekender + Grand Tour Duffle for longer trips. Scroll down to see everything I fit in a Weekender and a Grand Tour during my 3 weeks in Europe!
Clothing:
- 1 cashmere sweater
- 1 perfect denim jacket
- 1 fleece turtleneck
- 4 tops (including this, this, this and this)
- 1 pair of shorts
- 3 pairs of pants (this pair of white denim, linen-y trousers and these jeans)
- 6 dresses (including this, this, this, this, and bought this and this in France)
- 3 skirts (including this, this, and this)
- 1 bikini (top and bottom) and 3 malliots (including this, this and this)
- 3 pairs of shoes (including these sandals, these espadrilles and these heels)
- 1 belt (similar)
- 1 clutch
- 1 straw bag
- 1 straw hat
Other:
- a 17″ laptop
- my camera and lenses
- toiletries in this bag
- flatiron
Thank you to Paravel for partnering on this post!
xx, SF
this luggage is so chic, and i am SO impressed with how little you packed for three weeks! i just arrived in europe for three weeks myself and i brought much much more, haha. your packing skills never cease to amaze me.
Author
Haha you are the sweetest Diana! Thankfully I was able to wash several items while staying with friends, and don’t mind rewearing outfits since I always bring my favorite things while traveling – it certainly helps keep luggage to a minimum! Have the best time in Europe – I wish I was still there now! xx Stacie
I love the ‘old world’ look of this luggage and I’ve just ordered the Weekender and Grand Tour.
I got back to Australia last week from a 3 week holiday in the UK and I regretted the large suitcase and small cabin bag I had to lug around on public transport and cram into our hire car 🙁
I’m hoping the Paravel luggage will make future trips easier.
I’m amazed at how much you were able to fit into these bags. Did you use Packing Cubes?
Kelly
Author
Hi Kelly! I know exactly what you mean about lugging large suitcases – my husband and I each had a large checked bag + carry-on item on our year long world trip and it’s just too much stuff/heavy to manage if you’re moving around a lot! I didn’t use packing cubes, I just rolled each item tightly and the things I listed above fit really well. I always wore my heavier items (jeans, a sweater or fleece with a striped tee underneath, and the espadrilles) while on planes so they didn’t take up space in my bags, but I’m always cold on planes so it works well for me. I hope you love your new set and let me know what you think of everything when your bags arrive! xx Stacie
My luggage arrived (very quickly) and I’m impressed by the quality. They look just as gorgeous as your photos.
I can’t wait to go on a trip now 🙂
Author
I’m so happy to hear that Kelly!! Bon Voyage! xx SF
Were you able to carry both these pieces easily enough fully packed (would prefer to avoid roller-ing) and could you carry both on the plane in most circumstances?
Thanks!
Author
Hi Stefanie!
Yes, I carried both of them on the plane with me – absolutely stuffed! (Especially at the end of the trip when I had a few souvenirs in there as well. 🙂 I never had to check either of them on any of the 7 flights of my trip. The Weekender fits under the seat in front of you and the Grand Tour fits in the overhead bin, even on budget carriers. I had all my camera equipment in the Weekender which made it heavier than usual, but I find that airlines don’t weigh your carryons if you’ve got a duffle. I guess they assume if I can carry it myself it couldn’t be more than 10 kg. Haha. Hope that helps! xx, SF