clothes bag

plural clothes bags · alternative clothesbag · alternative clothes-bag

1. A sturdy bag for carrying and storing personal belongings, particularly those of military and naval personnel

   But after the little matter at the mess Billy Budd no more found himself in strange trouble at times about his hammock or his clothesbag or what not.

   1924, Herman Melville, chapter 12, in Billy Budd, London: Constable & Co.

   1 more example

   Many like the Loafer, who had come off without losing all that was concealed about their persons, transferred the remains to their clothes bags so soon as opportunity offered, and sadly regretted they had not at first secreted the whole of their last night's gleanings in this safe place, made sacred by the high word of honour of England's commissioned officers.

   1841, Josiah Cobb, chapter IX, in A Green Hand's Cruise, volume 1, Boston: Otis, Broaders & Co, page 134

2. A protective bag for transporting garments hung on a hanger

   I sit back on my heels, lost among Mother's cardigans and zippered clothes bags.

   2014, Barbara Stuber, chapter 36, in Girl in Reverse, New York: Simon & Schuster, page 295

   Synonyms: garment bag