Leather Accessories

Washbags finish the kit. A holdall carries the clothes; the washbag keeps the toothpaste from finding them. Small as they are, these are the pieces that make the difference between a bag that works and a bag that works properly, and they follow the same rule as everything else in the range: waxed canvas outside, full-grain leather trim where it gets handled, and a build that survives being thrown in and out of luggage for years.

Washbag or dopp kit?

Both words appear in this collection and both describe the same thing. Washbag is the British word; dopp kit is the American one, taken from Charles Doppelt, the American who popularised the shape in the 1920s. The Hampstead Dopp Kit keeps the American name on a bag named for a London village, which feels about right for a brand that makes its bags in the British tradition. For a lighter load there is the Waxed Canvas Washbag, Small, sized for an overnight bag or a minimalist wash kit. The Chelsea Washbag sits in between as the everyday choice.

Finishing the travel kit

A washbag earns its place on any trip that involves a night away. It pairs naturally with a canvas and leather holdall for a weekend away or a weekender bag for the gym-and-train version of the same trip. If you are still working out what else goes in the bag, the UK city break packing list covers the full set.

Looking after it

The washbag has a harder life than any other bag you own: damp hands, spilled mouthwash, a permanent place at the bottom of a holdall. Wipe spills when they happen, let it air out between trips, and re-wax the canvas when it starts to look dry. That routine is in our waxed canvas care guide.

Washbag FAQs

Can I take it as cabin hand luggage?

The bag itself is no problem at security. The liquids inside are subject to the airport rules that apply wherever you are flying from, so keep toiletries within the allowed sizes and the washbag will sail through.

Which size should I choose?

If you pack light or travel with an overnight bag, the Small washbag is sized for you. If your routine runs to a full set of bottles and a razor and a toothbrush holder, go for the Hampstead Dopp Kit or the Chelsea Washbag, which give the wash kit more room to spread out.

Do the washbags match the rest of the range?

Yes, deliberately. They are made from the same waxed canvas and full-grain leather trim as the holdalls and weekenders, so a washbag sits naturally inside a matching bag or stands alone as a gift. If you are building a full kit, this is the piece that finishes it.

Why does my washbag smell damp, and what should I do?

Dampness usually comes from being packed away wet: a bottle that leaked or a damp sponge left inside. Wipe spills as they happen, leave the bag open to air out between trips, and let everything dry before it goes back in the holdall. If the canvas starts to look dry too, re-wax it. The whole routine is in our waxed canvas care guide.