Abstract: A flexible folding garment bag having a detachable cowl is described. The cowl covers the open upper ends of the front panels of the bag and is provided with an interior compartment and means for hanging the cowl in either a vertical or horizontal orientation while removed from. Alternatively, the cowl can be attached to the rear of the bag or folded to expose the closure means on the front of the bag.

Abstract: A travel bag is formed from a rectangular, pliable fabric container to which is attached a carrying and suspension system including a single handle connected to a support plate adjacent the upper wall of the container. When the bag is lifted by its handle, a significant portion of the lifting force is transmitted to horizontally extending straps, sewn along their lengths to the sidewalls of the container, via vertically extending straps bearing on the support plate and anchored to the horizontal straps. The carrying and suspension system thus distributes lifting stress across the widths of the container sidewalls, thereby eliminating localized, vertical stress areas along the sidewalls. The side and end walls of the container are nonreinforced and the vertical straps may be adjusted to vertically and horizontally compress the container against objects therein to restrain them from shifting within the container when it is only partially loaded.