Checking luggage can add a lot of extra cost to a trip, which is why it doesn’t make sense for a simple overnight and rarely even for a weekend outing. The key is finding the carry-on that does everything you need, and one of the things you need is to look great while you carry it. Otherwise, what’s the point in a bag that stays with you?
Carry-Ons in Every Color
The key to finding the right carry on suitcase is matching it to the color scheme you are already working with. This works best when you have a couple of options to rotate through, but if you choose the right color and you have consistent tastes, it is not hard to find a sweet spot that matches your bag to most of your outfits.
Otherwise, changing color and style together can be a great trick, and it is not too expensive to rotate between a roller, a backpack, and a tote. That gives you something a little different for every mode of transportation, too.
The Mini Roller
When you need to navigate airport terminals and train stations, carrying a bag can be a lot of extra strain. Luckily, rolling suitcases have been popular for decades, and the classic mini-roller carryon provides a standardized, efficient shape with the features you need to bring everything necessary for a weekend without slowing yourself down or adding extra fatigue to your trip. Combined with a tote that qualifies as a handbag, it’s a great way to make the most of your carry-on allowance.
Totes and Overnight Bags
If you’re only going to be gone for a night or two, a single overnight bag can usually provide everything you need. That makes it easy to travel light, and with the right style of bag, you can even travel discreetly. Travel totes like the Weekender bag blend in with larger-sized handbags to make it a little less obvious that you are just passing through to a casual passer-by.
Travel totes in smaller sizes can function as a handbag with an extra shoe compartment as well, especially if you only need one change of clothes and a toothbrush. If you are often called away on business and you do not need a lot other than your briefcase, a travel tote makes staying ready easy.
Choosing the Luggage for Your Next Trip
Understanding how to pack efficiently while being prepared for the journey is an art, and like any art, it takes a combination of practice and the right tools. Luggage sizes are standardized to make it easy for you to stay within the weight limits that have been standardized for checked and carry-on baggage. If you’re not sure whether you will need a checked bag, the key is having a luggage size chart that includes a rough estimate of how many days of travel each bag is meant to handle as a stand-alone.
When you understand how your bags are designed to work, it’s easier to choose the one that looks right, feels right, and covers all of your needs. Start studying today so you can make the most of your next luggage purchase.
