Stylish carry-on bags to maximise your luggage allowance
If I can travel with just carry-on luggage, so can you. Admittedly Fashion Month presents a challenge, especially in winter, but the rest of the time? Simple – and far less stressful than waiting at a carousel when the baggage handlers have spontaneously gone on strike.
After many years, I’ve learnt you never need as many clothes as you think. I used to take 10 pairs of shoes to a fortnight of shows. Now, in summer, it’s three: one pair of flatforms (the patent wedges I wear below are remarkably stable); one pair of closed-toe heels in case of rain; one pair of sandals. In winter I can get by with two pairs of boots, one mid-height, one clumpy.
If you wear separates, one skirt or pair of trousers per three tops is a good working ratio. If you’re strictly dresses or jumpsuits, switch things up with belts, scarves and jewellery. Stuff swimwear and socks into nooks and crannies (good for padding shoes which, for hygiene’s sake and to prevent scratching, should be in cloth bags).
From left clockwise: Monogram luggage tag, ￡13, Zazzle; Baby Buttercup travel blowdryer, ￡85, Drybar; Solar The Protective Creme SPF50, ￡33, Dior; Packing cubes, ￡19.99 for three, Nere; Travel make-up bag, ￡16, Space NK.
Decant lotions – it’s worth the effort – and buy sun cream after you’ve cleared security. You might not have the choice you’d have from home, but do you really want to check in solely for your SPF? Boots’ Soltan Protect & Moisturise SPF30 gets many raves (￡3.89 for 200ml), but for something more luxe for your face, most airports stock Dior Solar. If you really need a hairdryer, Drybar’s Baby Buttercup is impressively powerful.
As for cases, cult luggage brand Away now offers three carry-on options. Generous airlines permit its larger ones, plus a holdall for your hat, along with your transparent cosmetics bag. Its much imitated cases are worth the extra, if you have it. Mine have taken a pounding in the six years I’ve had them and are good as new. The compression pad is amazingly effective for fitting more in. Away also does an expandable carry-on, the Flex, which needs to go in the hold when fully extended.
From left: Flex carry-on case (3.7kg), ￡275, Away; Hard trolley suitcase (2.9kg), ￡179.95, Muji; Clifton cabin case (2.8kg), ￡170, Antler
I’ve also trialled Muji’s slightly cheaper version and I like it, especially with a set of Muji packing cubes. These have become hugely popular over the past couple of years, partly because they keep everything from falling out if your case gets opened suddenly. Devise a system that’s right for you and you feel more organised. I transfer them from my case to the wardrobe and keep everything in them, apart from items that need hanging. It makes packing to go home much faster and diminishes the chances of leaving things behind. The Telegraph’s globe-trotting styling team swears by Antler. Like all the options here, it’s light and has four wheels for easy steering.
Australian brand Nere has gone from zero to AUD $100 million turnover since launching in 2022. A big factor in its success is tempting colours, from navy and khaki to mint and purple. It also does a cute line in matching vanity cases, beloved by make-up artists and a nifty way to maximise overhead and under-the-seat luggage allowance.
Lisa wears: Cotton blend tank, ￡89, Jigsaw, Cotton culottes, ￡165, Toast, Leather and suede shoes, ￡335, Terry de Havilland, Reed and leather bag, ￡336, Heimat Atlantica, Gold vermeil earrings, ￡125, Monica Vinader, Acetate sunglasses, ￡290, Victoria Beckham, Leather belt, ￡125, The Fold, Carry-on suitcase, ￡119, Nere
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