22 most stylish camera bags for women

Find the best camera bags for women in this post. These bags are both stylish and practical, and I’ve handpicked them based on design, quality, and type.

A good camera bag is an absolute necessity. Your camera costs a lot of money, so it deserves a nice home. 

For me, it’s not enough that the camera bag is practical and carries all my camera gear. It needs to be chic as well because I double it as a handbag. If you feel the same way, you’ve come to the right place!

Let’s take a look at the very best, most stylish camera bags for women.

Read next: The best camera for travel photography

How to choose the best travel camera bag

First, you have to figure out what kind of travel camera bag you want. This is what to look for:

Bag or backpack

This is your first big question, and only you can decide: do you want a shoulder bag or a travel camera backpack?

Camera shoulder bags are more common, and you can carry one while also having another backpack full of clothes and essentials on your back. If you’re going to be backpacking, a shoulder bag is the most sensible option.

But if your camera is your main carry luggage or if you’re going hiking, then maybe invest in a camera backpack instead.

The best camera backpack for travel keeps your hands free, allows you to be more mobile, and can usually fit a few other essentials in as well.

Texture

Your choices are soft or hard, and my advice here is to ALWAYS choose a hard one. You’re trying to protect your camera and lenses after all, right?

A soft travel camera is only going to carry them and maybe keep them dry. But if it’s dropped or knocked, that could be the end of your camera (oh, horror!).

A hard camera bag will ensure that your camera remains safe.

Quick (but secure) access

You want to have quick access to your camera for those fleeting photo opportunities, like that dolphin that just surfaced or a passing train for example.

That means having a camera bag that allows quick and easy access, but one that also doesn’t risk damage to your camera in the process. This is where a shoulder bag definitely has the edge over a camera backpack.

Capacity

As I mentioned, a good travel camera backpack will have a little extra room for other items like your phone and purse; maybe even a Kindle or tablet.

A good camera bag should do the same thing. A camera bag can easily double as a handbag or day bag – something that keeps your camera safe but can also be used for your daily haul.

Your camera, after all, is just one more essential accessory and you don’t want to have to have two bags for no reason.

Padding

Like having a hard rather than a soft bag, having one with padding is also essential. The best camera bags for women are ones that are comfortable no matter how long you carry them.

So, naturally, you want one with soft, strong padding.

Material

Think very hard about what material you decide on for your camera travel case, whether it be a shoulder bag or a camera backpack.

Having one that’s waterproof is absolutely essential, and that means one that’s leather or waxed canvas.

Regular canvas gets dirty easily and isn’t waterproof so is best avoided. Also, a leather camera bag is always a stylish choice.

Low key

The best camera bag is a low-key camera bag. You don’t want something that invites someone to steal it.

Of course, a stylish camera bag is preferable, but not something so bling that it makes you a target when you’re traveling.

Nobody wants that. So consider toeing that line between stylish and low-key very carefully.

Read next: How to take amazing travel photos

Camera bags for women – best brands

When you’re looking for the best camera bags for women, these are some brands to look for:

• ONA
• LO & Sons
• GATTA
• Kamrette
• Kelly Moore

ONA

Ona has the finest camera bags around (in my opinion). That means hand-crafted original designs using the finest waxed leather and other top-quality materials. They’re gorgeous, and practical, but also very expensive.

LO & Sons

These are stylish and sleek camera bags for women. Most of them have a style that disguises their camera bags as handbags and purses, meaning you can carry your camera and lenses and they’ll match your look when you’re out in the city.

GATTA 

The Gatta camera bags toe that line between being stylish and practical. They’re amazingly well-made, very in vogue, and crafted with security in mind. They keep your camera safe and look amazing as they do it.

Kamrette

Kamrette camera bags for women come in a range of styles: messenger bags, backpacks, and tote bags. They’re leather, they’re well made, they’re very pretty, and they’re practical! Everything you need in a good camera bag.

Kelly Moore

These are classic, vintage-looking camera bags that ooze a timeless look. Handcrafted and designed with a long life in mind. They’re big, sturdy, and very chic leather camera bags.

The messenger bag

A messenger bag is the most stylish camera bag. Period. They’re also the best choice if you’re looking for a leather camera bag. They drape over your shoulder and are less practical for things like hiking, but they definitely look the best and are the most popular camera case option.

The backpack

Not considered a fashion camera bag but it is certainly a practical one!

Camera bags for women should be practical as well as stylish. Camera backpacks keep your hands free and are best if you’re going hiking, swimming, or embarking on other sporty or extreme adventures.

The tote bag

Similar to the camera messenger bag, a tote is a camera sling bag that you drape over your shoulder or hold by your side. It’s not as secure as a messenger bag or a camera backpack, but it’s the best camera bag for the fashion-conscious.

The cross-body

Essentially a messenger bag without the fashion and more of the function. A cross-body bag is a secure camera case that you can drape over yourself to keep your camera extra secure.

The camera bag purse

A small bag for a small camera. It’s not useful as a DSLR camera bag, but it’s an excellent women’s bag for a smaller camera, like a mirrorless or point-and-shoot camera.

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