Store your essentials with bags that are equally functional and stylish
In This Article
In This Article
So often, travel bags are either functional with lots of storage or they're stylish, but Dagne Dover bags achieve both. I would know because I have eight of them (technically nine, but more on that later).
Completely female-founded, Dagne Dover embodies the modern person on the go. Everyone needs a well-designed bag for whatever daily adventures they embark on, and these bags have a neutral, clean design that makes them a great option for all. I personally own every bag on this list and have tested them for up to two years.
Read on for my favorite Dagne Dover bags for work, vacation, and every day in between.
Packing cosmetics can be daunting because they’re prone to spills, don’t always fit in your bag, and can get disorganized quickly. If you're looking for a toiletry bag that solves these issues, this bag fits the bill.
The lining material will keep any spills from seeping into your clothes, the main chamber is quite spacious, and there are small compartments and additional pouches (in the large size) to organize different cosmetics. This has become my absolute favorite travel cosmetics bag because it's so compact yet spacious enough to pack with all your weekend necessities.
Size: S, L | Material: Neoprene or mesh | Colors: 9 | Compartments: 3
"I can stuff this toiletry bag with more than a week’s worth of skincare and beauty essentials, and there’s still room to spare. I never feel like I need to leave a product behind when I travel — it all magically fits."—Kayla Kitts, PEOPLE shopping editor
With seven adjustable compartments and four elastic loops to secure tall skinny items in place, this toiletry bag is an organizer’s dream. Dover says she wanted a cosmetic bag that could stand up by itself on a countertop yet pack well, too.
I particularly like this cosmetic bag when I'm traveling to weddings because it has the perfect storage solution for makeup brushes, dry shampoo, eyeliners, and other tall beauty products.
Editor's note: My bag has a limited edition print that's no longer available, but the Mila is still available in classic black and ivory shades.
Size: S, L | Material: Neoprene, mesh | Colors: 2 | Compartments: 7
“We started Dagne Dover because we needed bags we could carry from work to the gym and into the weekend that were organized, elevated, and performance-focused.”—Jessy Dover, Dagne Dover co-founder and chief creative officer
I've used this backpack as my work bag for about two years, but it's great as a carry-on item for plane rides or for short weekend trips, too. There are 11 pouches and zippered pockets — including several hidden ones that I use for my wallet, passport, and other valuables.
The neoprene material has held up well despite rainy commutes and rough handling during travel (the soft fabric only has one tiny scar). The inside is extremely spacious, yet still feels light to carry when filled. Bonus: Cushioned straps add to its overall comfort.
Size: S, M, L | Material: Neoprene, mesh | Colors: 8 | Compartments: 11 | Laptop Sleeve: Yes
Ideal for concerts, walking my dog, or even a night on the town, this fanny pack is small, sleek, and quite roomy. Besides the main pouch (for your phone and keys), there's also a zippered pocket and two card sleeves to store your ID and any cards you might need. One lives inside the pouch next to an elastic loop perfect for holding your favorite lipstick, and the other sits on the back side of the pouch facing your torso, so it’s more secure.
As a cautionary tale of this bag's value: I wore this pack so often the first summer I got it, I ended up with a thick strap tan line across my back. Worth it though!
Size: One size | Material: Neoprene | Colors: 12 | Compartments: 4
As the name implies, this bag actually can carry it all, making it the perfect carry-on or weekender, thanks to its roomy capacity and lightweight feel. There's a padded laptop sleeve as well as several internal pockets which I've found to fit shoes, outfits, and cosmetic bags. Plus, there's an external peek-a-boo pouch for accessible phone storage when traveling —a huge win so I don't have to dig through my bag. It also comes with a shoe bag and attachable zip pouch for convenience.
Made with the same neoprene as the backpack, this carry-all is water-resistant and easy to clean.
Size: XS, S, M, L, XL | Material: Neoprene, mesh | Colors: 12 (availability depends on size) | Compartments: 7
When you don’t feel like carrying an entire purse around, this phone sling is the best thing ever. I added the Mara Sling to my collection of Dagne Dover bags a few months back, and it's the one I always reach for when walking my dog. It has just enoug -
h space for my phone, keys, and Apple AirPods.
Despite its small size, there are still three compartments including the main pouch, a small section for cards inside, and an outside pocket for your phone should you need it to be more accessible.
Size: One size | Material: Neoprene or mesh | Colors: 12; 9 neoprene, 3 mesh | Compartments: 3
I used to have the Dakota Keychain (the backpack version of this mini bag), but it tragically fell off my dog's leash mid-walk and was lost to the streets of New York City. Alas, that bag is sold out now, but I was happy to find the Mila Keychain as an alternative.
It does have the same ring, so that makes me a little wary of attaching it to a leash again, but the size is perfect for storing poop bags, keys, AirPods, or anything else compact when you don't want to carry an actual bag. Of course, for non-dog-owners, it's just a cute mini bag to attach to any of your larger Dagne bags for extra storage.
Size: 1 | Material: Repreve recycled materials | Colors: 1, black (the beige is sold out now) | Compartments: 1
Living in an urban area, it's crucial to have sturdy, reusable bags for buying groceries and running other errands. I have grown very fond of the Dash Grocery Tote (so much so that I now have two). The mesh design makes it easy to clean — you can literally rinse it in the sink and it dries so fast.
It has a spacious inner chamber (only one pocket though) for holding a ton of groceries or whatever else you're shopping for. I wish the thick straps would stay on my shoulder better, but the design is more attractive than most reusable grocery bags, so it's not a dealbreaker.
Whether you opt for a water- and stain-resistant neoprene bag or an easy-to-clean mesh option, you can be assured the durability and quality is there. Plus, many of the bags are made sustainably without real leather or animal byproducts —instead using a material called Repreve, made from recycled water bottles to produce the linings, dust bags, and more. This material uses less water and energy than regular fiber and contributes less to greenhouse gasses.
"We’re always testing new performance fabrications and eco-conscious materials because we are here to make the best products in the most unique ways that don’t disregard the need for a more sustainable future," Dover says.
And bonus: All scraps go towards samples and excessive inventory, and returns are donated to local charities in Los Angeles to extend each bag’s life and usage.
With regard to everything mentioned above, to produce this kind of quality requires higher manufacturing costs — and that trickles down to you, the shopper, in the form of higher price tags. Neoprene, for instance, is essentially waterproof, buttery soft to the touch, and can even regulate temperature, but it's expensive to use. So, Dagne Dover isn't necessarily budget-friendly, but you're not paying for some designer-named item that you'll only use a few times. I consider these investment bags, and since I use them constantly, I think the price is justified.
As a shopping editor, I have two criteria for judging a bag: Does it look good, and does it work? I assessed my collection of Dagne Dover bags, weighing these two qualities and diving into the specifics of each.
The answers to all of these questions was a resounding yes.
Madison Yauger is a shopping editor who owns a huge collection of Dagne Dover bags, so she's a self-proclaimed expert when it comes to this brand. She's previously covered travel and fashion, including different work bags for women and laptop backpacks for travel.
For this story, she spoke to Jessy Dover, the co-founder and chief creative officer of Dagne Dover, and thoroughly tried each product via commutes, dog walks, airport travel, and more. She also spoke with other PEOPLE shopping editors about their experiences carrying Dagne Dover bags.
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