If you’ve been in an airport at any point during the last decade (and we’re guessing you have if you’re reading this), then you’re familiar with Dagne Dover’s ubiquitous Dakota backpack. Made out of squishy, durable neoprene and available in a kaleidoscope of trendy colors ranging from a mauve-y Dune to the chartreuse Piña, the pack has garnered legions of fans not only for its sporty-yet-chic design, but its clever features like a luggage sleeve and an included shoe bag.
In recent years, the Dakota has become my favorite travel companion, which made me even more excited to test out the brand’s first-ever line of rolling luggage, which launched on June 21. The collection, dubbed The Luggage Edit, includes two sizes of checked rolling luggage (28.5" and 25"), two carry-ons (23.5" and 20.5"), four sizes of packing cubes, and two types of garment bags, all available in four colorways—(Onyx, Dark Moss, Warm Dust, and Ash). Similar to the cult-favorite backpacks, these pieces are engineered to help you travel smarter, while still turning heads in the terminal.
“For years people have been asking us, ‘When are you going to come out with luggage?’” says Dagne Dover CEO and co-founder Melissa Mash. “They want something that’s modern—that feels like our generation—but also has the functionality that accounts for all the things they’re traveling with. They haven’t seen that yet for luggage, so I think that’s going to be a big piece of the appeal of our bags.” One telling example? Dagne Dover’s garment bag extends out to a generous 67" length, which means it can accommodate a long dress (hello wedding season!) without the train getting scrunched up at the bottom.
All in, the process from initial ideation to completion took about three years. “We knew it would require a lot of R and D, market research, focus grouping, surveying, and then also just testing the product ourselves,” says Jessy Dover, chief creative officer and co-founder. The brand’s fastidious attention to detail has paid off: The new pieces are not only extremely user-friendly, but, well, super cute, too. Read on to hear what I love most about a few new pieces in the collection, after taking them on a nearly weeklong trip to the Franciacorta region of Italy as well as a long-weekend jaunt to Hotel Le Toiny in St. Barths.
Discover Dagne Dover's new collection:
Dagne Dover Smaller Sydney Checked Rolling Luggage
The brand’s rolling luggage is divided into two categories, checked and carry-on, but all of the pieces feature the same ultra-durable and water-resistant exterior made with recycled 900 D poly fabric. Each carry-on and checked suitcase also features padded handles that make lugging them out of overhead bins far more comfortable, zippers that allow you to open it from the front or clamshell-style, and the smoothest 360-degree wheels I’ve ever used. The Sydney’s 28.5" and 25" models can easily fit a week’s worth of clothes or more—especially when you pair them with the coordinating packing cubes. These larger sizes can also accommodate a pet carrier on top and have a zippered expander for when you inevitably return with more than what you packed.
Capacity: 66L (25" bag); 95L (28.5" bag)
Price: $675 (25" bag); $725 (28.5" bag)
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Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-On Rolling Luggage
The smaller Seattle carry-ons are ideal for long weekend trips. I recently tested out the 23.5" carry-on for a trip to Italy’s Franciacorta region, and not only did it easily fit all of my day and night outfits, it also got a few admiring stares in the Milan airport as well. I love the amount of pockets in this model (similar to Dagne Dover’s Dakota backpack), from the padded tech sleeve you can access from the front of the bag, to the slim zippered pocket in the back that’s great for stashing your passport or license on the go. One caveat: I tested this bag in the Warm Dust color (think a dusty rose), and when I needed to check the bag while on a Tradewind flight to St. Barths, it did come back with noticeable scuff marks. You might want to opt for darker shades like Carbon if you’d rather not see as much wear and tear.
Capacity: 41L (23.5" bag); 33L (20.5" bag)
Price: $625 (23.5" bag); $595 (20.5" bag)
Dagne Dover Roma Packing Cubes
I love a coordinated moment, so the fact that these packing cubes can be color-matched to your luggage fills my type-A heart with joy. Made out of cushiony, recycled Air Mesh, the cubes come in four different sizes, with the largest holding bulkier pieces like sweatshirts and packable jackets, while the smallest is perfect for underwear or storing all of your electronic cords. One particularly smart touch is the customizable labels on the front, which means it’s easy to figure out what’s inside each one.
Size: 2-19L
Price: $30-$45
Dagne Dover Capri Garment Bag
If you’re looking for something a little sturdier than the plastic bag the department store gave you, the Capri garment bag is a game-changer. It easily fits four outfits, and as mentioned above, is long enough for floor-length formalwear. Four smaller zip pockets are great for storing jewelry or cufflinks, and there are also two designated pockets for shoes—which means you can truly pack your whole outfit in one of these without anything getting misplaced. This also might be the first garment bag I’ve tried that includes a luggage sleeve, allowing me to navigate through the airport hands-free. Downsides? I found the metal buckles on this bag to be a little harder to unclasp than your standard plastic variety, and it took me a minute to figure out how to fold it back up properly (though maybe that says more about my spatial skills than anything else).
Capacity: 25L
Dagne Dover Monaco Garment Duffel
Unlike the Capri garment bag above, the Monaco can also double as a weekender, which means you’re really getting two bags for the price of one. You can easily fit everything you need for a long weekend getaway in here, but I also like using it as a gym-to-work bag. It comes equipped with a designated padded computer pouch and a shoe bag that can be used for dirty clothes. Unlike other garment duffels I’ve tested previously, which are often a bit flimsy and lean more into garment bag territory than duffel, this model is far sturdier. I especially love the strong zipper, which easily unzips the bag to lie flat, and the convertible straps for both long and short carry.
Capacity: 46L
The verdict:
The luggage space—particularly when it comes to rolling bags—has certainly been flooded with “disruptive” direct-to-consumer brands in the last few years. So it’s legitimate to ask why we need another entry into the category, and what Dagne Dover is offering that’s different from the carry-on you already have stashed at home. For me, the major reason why I’ll be swapping these bags into my travel rotation is their ability to help me organize better: The many pockets and ways of accessing compartments in the bags has helped me pack (and unpack) smarter and faster. And as someone who’s on the road at least once every three to four weeks, that’s worth the higher price tag.
Shop more of our favorite Dagne Dover pieces:
Dagne Dover Dakota Backpack
Dagne Dover Landon Carryall
Dagne Dover Hunter toiletry bag
Dagne Dover Mila toiletry organizer
Dagne Dover Ace fanny pack
Dagne Dover Micah neoprene crossbody
