Embarking on a weekend escape, whether a cozy romantic interlude or an adventurous jaunt with friends, should be exciting, not stressful. The right weekend travel bag is your first step towards a seamless and enjoyable trip. Forget cumbersome luggage; a thoughtfully chosen weekender bag blends portability with ample space, making packing effortless and travel a breeze.
At travels.edu.vn, our experts have rigorously assessed a wide array of Weekend Travel Bags to curate a list of top performers. We’ve gone beyond surface-level reviews, subjecting over 70 weekender bags to stringent lab tests and real-world travel scenarios over the past few years. Our evaluations focus on key aspects: portability – how easily the bag moves with you; durability – its resilience to wear and tear; design – smart features and aesthetic appeal; and overall value.
Our comprehensive lab testing involves meticulous examination of organization, capacity, and standout features. We push these bags to their limits, packing them full, carrying them for extended periods, and even simulating the rough handling of travel to assess their durability. The Travel + Leisure team further extends this testing, taking these weekend travel bags on actual trips for up to six months, providing long-term insights into their performance.
Based on our extensive testing, we present our definitive guide to the 11 best weekend travel bags, catering to every type of getaway and traveler need.
Our Top Picks for Weekend Travel Bags
Best Overall Weekend Travel Bag:
Away Everywhere Bag at Away Travel $245
Best Personal Item Weekend Travel Bag:
July Carry All Weekender at July.com
Best Expandable Weekend Travel Bag:
Longchamp Le Pliage Expandable Travel Bag at Amazon
Best Water-resistant Weekend Travel Bag:
Monos Metro Duffel at Monos.com
Best Style Weekend Travel Bag:
MZ Wallace Nik at Mzwallace.com
Best Colors Weekend Travel Bag:
Calpak Luka Duffel Bag at Calpaktravel.com
Best Budget Weekend Travel Bag:
HYC00 Travel Duffel Bag at Amazon $17
Best Weekend Travel Bag for Outdoors:
Peak Design Travel Duffel at Amazon $140
Best Organization Weekend Travel Bag:
Béis The Commuter Duffel at Nordstrom $138
Best Machine Washable Weekend Travel Bag:
SALE
Vera Bradley Weekender Travel Bag at Amazon $77 $65
Best Overall Weekend Travel Bag
Away Everywhere Bag
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PHOTO: Away
Why We Love It: The Away Everywhere Bag effortlessly blends sleek aesthetics with generous space, accommodating clothing for a four to five-day trip with ease. Its intelligent, minimalist design promotes organized packing, making it our top pick for overall weekend travel bags.
What to Consider: Adjusting the shoulder strap can be a bit finicky.
The Away Large Everywhere Bag stands out as the best overall weekender due to its thoughtfully designed minimalist structure, facilitating effortless and organized packing. This clamshell-style duffel opens wide for easy access and boasts enough room for almost a week’s worth of clothing and dedicated pockets for all your travel necessities. The interior features a main compartment spacious enough for bulkier items such as clothes and shoes, while the inside of the opening flap is equipped with three zippered mesh pockets, perfect for storing smaller items like undergarments or accessories, keeping them neatly separated.
We particularly appreciated the exterior padded laptop pocket, which comfortably fits not just one, but potentially two laptops, offering excellent protection and accessibility for tech on the go. In our rigorous durability tests, the bag showed no signs of damage when thrown from a table multiple times, affirming the robustness of its water-resistant nylon material and sturdy construction, promising longevity even with frequent use. While we noted minor difficulty in adjusting the shoulder strap, both the strap and the leather top handles are generously padded, ensuring comfortable carrying whether you prefer to hold it in your hand or wear it on your shoulder.
Available in a sophisticated palette of five matte colors, including classic black and elegant salt white, the Away duffel bag caters to diverse styles. For longer journeys, it features a built-in trolley sleeve, allowing seamless integration with rolling luggage. Whether you’re traveling for business or leisure, the Away Large Everywhere Bag emerges as a functional and stylish travel companion, perfectly suited for your next adventure.
The Details: 20.9 x 11.8 x 9.4 inches | 3.8 pounds | Material: Nylon and Leather
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Best Personal Item Weekend Travel Bag
July Carry All Weekender
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PHOTO: July
Why We Love It: The July Carry All Weekender is perfectly sized to fit comfortably under most airplane seats, making it an ideal personal item for air travel.
What to Consider: Additional pockets for enhanced organization would be beneficial.
The July Weekender is the quintessential smaller bag, designed to serve as the perfect personal item on flights when paired with a carry-on. Despite its compact size, it lives up to its name, truly capable of “carrying all” your essentials for trips of varying lengths, from a laptop up to 16 inches to a comfortable travel blanket. In our tests, this minimalist nylon bag efficiently held enough clothing for a two-night getaway, proving its capacity for short trips. The inclusion of a designated laptop pocket allowed us to securely pack tech alongside clothing, maximizing space utilization.
While we observed that a few more pockets would enhance its organizational capabilities, the bag’s smaller footprint contributes to its ease of packing and carrying. After six months of consistent use, our testing editor, Jackie Cucco, affirmed its sturdiness and durability as a reliable personal item. The July Carry All Weekender is an excellent choice for travelers prioritizing a lightweight, streamlined bag that adheres to personal item size restrictions without sacrificing essential packing space.
The Details: 18 x 10.5 x 8.5 inches | 2.2 pounds | Material: Twill Nylon | Laptop Pocket: Fits up to 16-inch laptop
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Best Expandable Weekend Travel Bag
Longchamp Le Pliage Expandable Travel Bag
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PHOTO: Longchamp
View on Amazon | $285 at Nordstrom | View on Longchamp.com
Why We Love It: The Longchamp Le Pliage Expandable Travel Bag features an ingenious expandable zipper, allowing you to adjust its capacity as needed, offering unmatched versatility for weekend trips.
What to Consider: Internal organization is minimal, with only two small slip pockets.
The Longchamp Le Pliage collection is widely celebrated, and this expandable weekend travel bag is a standout within the range. Initially appearing as a classic Longchamp tote, it conceals a clever expandable zipper that adds an extra 20 liters of packing space, boosting its total capacity to an impressive 70 liters when fully expanded. With the expandable feature unzipped, we effortlessly packed clothing and accessories for a four-day trip. Its versatility extends beyond weekend getaways; the bag’s compact size is also perfect for daily commutes to the office or as a personal item for air travel, mirroring the dimensions of a standard canvas tote bag.
Constructed from lightweight polyamide canvas, the bag is comfortable to carry using either the leather tote straps or the detachable shoulder strap. The only drawback is the limited internal organization; the absence of pockets necessitates the use of packing cubes or pouches to keep belongings organized while traveling. Despite this, the Longchamp Le Pliage Expandable Travel Bag remains a top choice for those needing adaptable space and iconic style in their weekend travel gear.
The Details: 17.7 x 13.8 x 9.1 inches | 1.56 pounds | Material: Recycled Polyamide Canvas, Leather
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Best Water-resistant Weekend Travel Bag
Monos Metro Duffel
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PHOTO: Nordstrom
Why We Love It: The Monos Metro Duffel stands out for its lightweight feel, even when fully packed, combined with comfortable straps for easy carrying, making it ideal for weekend travels in varying weather conditions.
What to Consider: The bag’s narrow opening can make packing and retrieving items somewhat challenging.
The Monos Metro Duffel is a remarkably compact weekend travel bag that impressed us with its surprisingly spacious interior, accommodating all items on our standard packing list during tests. While it filled up nearly to capacity, it remained impressively lightweight and easy to carry, thanks to its well-designed shoulder strap and top handles. Despite its generous space, the duffel’s narrow opening presents a slight inconvenience when packing or when needing to quickly access items inside.
A standout feature is the detachable toiletry bag, which securely latches onto the front. Although attaching and detaching it required a bit of effort, its secure fit provides reassurance during travel. In our durability assessments, the bag withstood tossing and handling without scratching, and the detachable strap remained firmly in place. While a component holding the strap detached after a few months of use, Monos promptly provided a replacement under their two-year warranty, and the new bag has performed reliably on subsequent trips. The duffel includes a large zippered pocket opposite the detachable pouch and several internal pockets for water bottles and smaller items, along with a dedicated laptop sleeve. Its water-resistant construction is a major advantage, offering peace of mind in wet weather conditions.
The Details: 16.3 x 11.2 x 7.2 inches | 3 pounds | Material: Water-resistant Nylon
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Best Style Weekend Travel Bag
MZ Wallace Nik
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PHOTO: MZ Wallace
Why We Love It: The MZ Wallace Nik Duffel Bag is celebrated for its sleek and effortlessly stylish quilted material, elevating the aesthetic of weekend travel bags.
What to Consider: The non-padded, removable shoulder strap could offer more comfort during extended carry.
MZ Wallace is renowned for its fashionable bags crafted from signature puffer quilted fabric, and the Nik weekender is a testament to their stylish yet functional design ethos. This bag boasts an impressive 16 pockets both inside and out, including specialized compartments for technology and water bottles, making organization a breeze. We were particularly impressed with its organizational features and its capacity to hold enough clothing for a weekend escape. However, after three months of testing, we found it best suited for shorter trips of one to two nights; while the pockets are exceptional, packing for longer durations might be restrictive.
The material is remarkably lightweight, and the tote straps are comfortable for prolonged carrying. However, the removable shoulder strap could be improved with padding for enhanced comfort. For heavier loads, the bag includes a convenient pass-through luggage sleeve for effortless portability atop a rolling suitcase. The MZ Wallace Nik Duffel is the perfect choice for style-conscious travelers who value both fashion and function in their weekend travel bags.
The Details: 16.93 x 12.2 x 7.09 inches | 2.1 pounds | Material: REC Oxford, Leather | Laptop Pocket: Fits up to 16-inch laptop
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Best Colors Weekend Travel Bag
Calpak Luka Duffel Bag
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PHOTO: Calpak
View on Calpaktravel.com | $158 at The Container Store
Why We Love It: The Calpak Luka Duffel Bag is a standout for its extensive range of color options, from neutrals to bolds, allowing travelers to express their personal style through their weekend travel bags.
What to Consider: The shoulder straps are more comfortable than the crossbody strap; the latter is less comfortable for prolonged use.
Calpak is celebrated for its stylish and colorful luggage collections, and the Luka Duffel bag perfectly embodies this vibrant aesthetic. Boasting an impressive 20 color options, from playful bubble gum pink to understated neutral oatmeal, this puffer-style duffel offers an unparalleled opportunity to inject personality into your luggage ensemble. Beyond its captivating colors, the Luka Duffel excelled in our tests, earning high marks for its spacious interior, capable of accommodating essentials for a two to three-day trip. It features nine practical pockets for organizing items like socks, undergarments, and tech gadgets, along with a trolley sleeve and a dedicated shoe pocket – features that resonated strongly with our editors.
We also appreciated its ease of maintenance, remaining clean and odor-free even after three months of continuous testing. The lightweight puffer polyester material makes the bag effortless to carry, although we found the shoulder tote straps more comfortable than the removable crossbody strap, which was slightly less comfortable over extended periods. The Calpak Luka Duffel is an excellent choice for travelers seeking weekend travel bags that combine functionality with a splash of color and style.
The Details: 16 x 12 x 8 inches | 2.1 pounds | Material: Polyester
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Best Budget Weekend Travel Bag
HYC00 Travel Duffel Bag
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PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It: The HYC00 Travel Duffel Bag is praised for its remarkably comfortable straps, making it easy to carry over the shoulder or by the top handles, especially considering its budget-friendly price.
What to Consider: Its smaller size is best suited for shorter weekend trips, limiting packing capacity for longer getaways.
The HYC00 Travel Duffel Bag is a testament to affordable functionality, packing in all the essential pockets and compartments needed for efficient weekend packing. Its interior comfortably accommodates two pairs of pants, four shirts, shoes, and a toiletry bag, with a bit of extra space for a few more items. Weighing just 1.3 pounds, this lightweight bag is a joy to carry, enhanced by comfortable shoulder straps and top tote handles. The design includes three internal pockets, including a wet pocket for swimwear, and external features such as compression buckles and a front zippered pocket for quick access to essentials.
After six months of regular use, we appreciated the fabric’s easy-to-clean nature, effortlessly wiping away stains and dirt. Constructed from water-resistant nylon with plastic-lined pockets, cleaning spills, both inside and out, is remarkably simple. Available in over a dozen colors, including soft pink and olive green, the HYC00 Travel Duffel Bag offers exceptional value for budget-conscious travelers seeking reliable weekend travel bags.
The Details: 21.7 x 10.6 x 7.09 inches | 1.3 pounds | Material: Water-resistant Nylon
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Best Weekend Travel Bag for Outdoors
Peak Design Travel Duffel
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PHOTO: Peak Design
$140 at Amazon | $98 at REI | View on Peakdesign.com
Why We Love It: Crafted from weatherproof nylon canvas with a waterproof lining and zippers, the Peak Design Travel Duffel 35L ensures your belongings stay protected in any outdoor conditions, making it ideal for adventurous weekend trips.
What to Consider: The straps could benefit from additional padding for enhanced comfort during longer carries.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the Peak Design Travel Duffel 35L is the ultimate weekend companion, perfectly suited for camping, glamping, or road trips. Constructed from robust weatherproof nylon canvas, this duffel features a waterproof bottom lining and weatherproof zippers, offering superior protection against the elements. In durability tests, the bag maintained its shape and hardware integrity after rough handling, and the high-quality weather-resistant materials impressed us. The bag’s aesthetic leans towards an athletic, outdoorsy style, reminiscent of hiking backpacks rather than polished luggage.
The main compartment provides ample space for weekend essentials, complemented by two internal mesh pockets and four external pockets for additional storage. It includes detachable, padded shoulder straps that can convert to backpack straps, offering versatile carrying options. While the straps are comfortable once adjusted, we felt that extra padding would further enhance comfort. Overall, the Peak Design Travel Duffel 35L represents excellent value for those seeking a lightweight, weatherproof, and durable bag designed to withstand outdoor adventures.
The Details: 22 x 14 x 10 inches | 2 pounds | Material: Recycled 600D Nylon Canvas with Leather Accents
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Best Organization Weekend Travel Bag
Béis The Commuter Duffel
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PHOTO: BÉIS
$138 at Nordstrom | View on Beis
Why We Love It: Béis The Commuter Duffel excels in organization, featuring numerous pockets and compartments that make packing and accessing your items incredibly efficient during weekend travels.
What to Consider: With a 24-liter capacity, it is on the smaller side compared to other weekend travel bags, which might limit packing space for some.
Finding a weekend travel bag with the perfect balance of pockets and compartments can be challenging, but Béis has masterfully addressed this with The Commuter Duffel. This 24-liter bag is designed with a variety of pockets and storage solutions for weekend essentials, including a laptop, shoes, clothing, a toiletry bag, and even a lighted travel makeup mirror. Its thoughtful design ensures everything is within easy reach and neatly organized. While it’s among the smaller weekend travel bags, we found it comfortably accommodated our two-day packing list with room to spare.
After six months of testing, the trolley sleeve proved durable and effective, and both the tote handles and padded shoulder strap remained comfortable. Despite its lighter color, the bag showed no signs of staining or scuffing, highlighting its resilience. Durable and intelligently designed, Béis The Commuter Duffel is a reliable travel companion for those who prioritize organization in their weekend travel bags.
The Details: 21.5 x 12 x 9 inches | 3.15 pounds | Material: Nylon, PU, Polyester | Laptop Pocket: Fits up to 15-inch laptop
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Best Machine Washable Weekend Travel Bag
Vera Bradley Weekender Travel Bag
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PHOTO: Amazon
$77 $65 at Amazon | $135 at Walmart | View on Belk.com
Why We Love It: The Vera Bradley Weekender Travel Bag is machine washable, a highly desirable feature for maintaining cleanliness and freshness over time, setting it apart from other weekend travel bags.
What to Consider: It is smaller for a weekender and may not be the most comfortable for carrying heavy loads for extended periods.
The Vera Bradley Weekender Travel Bag offers a minimalist design in nine unique colors, from olive green to rouge rose. Beyond its appealing aesthetics, this weekender performed admirably in our tests. It provides sufficient space for clothing for a two to three-day trip, though it reached capacity after packing two pairs of pants, four shirts, a jacket, shoes, and a toiletry bag, leaving no extra room. Organization is well-addressed with five internal mesh pockets, two external zipper pockets, and slip pockets on each end.
Durability tests showed no scuffing or scraping, and after six months of regular use, the bag remained in excellent condition. The standout feature is its machine-washable cotton fabric, a significant advantage for prolonging the bag’s life and maintaining hygiene. For travelers prioritizing easy maintenance and a balance of style and function in their weekend travel bags, the Vera Bradley Weekender is an excellent choice.
The Details: 18.5 x 12.5 x 7.5 inches | Material: 100% Cotton with 50% Recycled Cotton
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Other Weekend Travel Bags We Liked
Over years of testing, numerous weekend travel bags have caught our attention. While some secured top spots, others, despite appealing qualities, missed our main list due to certain limitations.
Rains Bag: We valued its complete waterproof construction, yet the unpadded strap made it uncomfortable for extended wear, and it lacked both internal and external pockets.
Cuyana Large Travel Bag: The luxurious and robust material impressed us, but the handles felt somewhat thin and flimsy. For a bag nearing $350, long-term durability is a key expectation.
Etronik Large Overnight Weekender: This spacious, water-resistant bag includes a shoe compartment and a bonus travel pouch, offering great value at $50. However, the very lightweight material raised concerns about its long-term durability.
Travel + Leisure
Our Testing Process for Weekend Travel Bags
We’ve rigorously tested over 70 weekend travel bags and duffel bags through numerous lab assessments to consistently update our recommendations for the best weekend travel bags available. To ensure fair comparisons, we employ a standardized methodology, evaluating each bag on capacity, design, portability, durability, and overall value.
Our testing begins with packing each bag with either two or four days’ worth of items, depending on its size, using a curated packing list that includes essentials like pants, shirts, jackets, shoes, laptops, and toiletry bags. Bags scoring high in capacity tests are noted for their generous space, accommodating all listed items with room to spare. We then assess design, scrutinizing pocket and compartment placements, both inside and out, and evaluating zipper functionality.
Portability is tested by carrying each packed bag using shoulder straps and tote handles, rating comfort and weight distribution. Durability is challenged by throwing or dropping each weekender bag from table height three to five times, checking for scuffs, marks, and any internal damage. Following lab tests, we distribute the bags to our T+L team members for real-world travel trials, gathering insights on their performance in diverse travel scenarios.
Travel + Leisure
Tips for Buying a Weekend Travel Bag
Consider Your Trip Types
Choosing the right weekend travel bag hinges on your typical travel needs. For business trips, consider bags with built-in suiters or shoe compartments, or garment bags convertible to weekenders. For formal events like weekend weddings, a quad-fold garment bag, such as the Monaco Garment Duffel from the Dagne Dover Luggage Edit collection, prevents garment wrinkling. Size is crucial; weekend travel bags vary, lacking a universal standard. For air travel, prioritize features like trolley sleeves, laptop sleeves, water bottle holders, and easily accessible pockets for chargers and wallets.
Think About Size Needs
Whether you pack minimally or extensively, weekend travel bag size is paramount. Larger bags may require overhead bin placement, while underseat luggage or personal items offer alternatives, supplementing larger carry-ons. Personal items, though smaller, can suffice for weekend essentials. Organizational features also matter; larger bags often include pockets, shoe compartments, and packing cubes. Select a size and organizational structure that aligns with your travel habits and needs.
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Prioritize Durable Materials
Weekend travel bags come in materials like polyester, leather, canvas, nylon, and cotton, with varying durability. For outdoor or camping trips, weatherproof nylon or water-resistant materials like polyester or coated cotton are advisable. Check manufacturer specifications for water resistance or weatherproofing. Material choice impacts longevity and protection, especially for adventurous weekend getaways.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Weekend Travel Bags
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Can a weekend travel bag serve as a personal item on flights?
- This depends on airline personal item size restrictions. Most weekend travel bags are carry-on approved for overhead bins. Always verify specific airline luggage dimensions on their website. If a weekender fits under the seat, it can be considered a personal item.
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How should you efficiently pack a weekend travel bag?
- Some weekend travel bags include built-in organizers for shoes or suits. Arrange items in main compartments to assess fit, then optimize space by rolling clothes or using packing cubes. Adapt packing strategies to maximize space and organization.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure for Weekend Travel Bag Reviews
T+L writer Anna Popp, a core member of our testing team, authors most of our tested articles and actively participates in travel product evaluations. Having assessed numerous travel bags over three years, including several featured here, Anna’s deep luggage expertise and meticulous testing notes form the backbone of our weekend travel bag recommendations.
The 11 Best Rolling Duffel Bags, Tested and Reviewed
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Updated by Anne Taylor and Asia London Palomba, and Edited by Jasmine Grant, ensuring our content remains current and expertly reviewed.
