I’ve traveled a lot this 12 months. Like, a lot a lot. I flew 17 hours to Seoul and 10 hours to Athens. I flew to Milan (twice), Montreal, and Miami (additionally twice), with a handful of journeys to and from Chicago, the place I grew up, for weddings, holidays, and dye jobs (sure, I generally fly residence to get my hair coloured—blame New York City pricing and my lifelong colorists’ very expert arms). I may not have reached Diamond Medallion standing on Delta in 2025, however I used to be shut, and alongside the approach, I discovered a factor or two about touring.
For starters, I hate flying with checked baggage. The panic I really feel each time I’ve to watch the baggage carousel flip with out my beloved TUMI trunk on it is not value the further house, plus, it makes it exceptionally tough to get down (and up) the 5 flights of stairs in my Upper West Side condominium when I’ve to catch an early 7 AM flight (my most well-liked flying time). There’s a sure freedom that comes with simply bringing a carry-on suitcase, that’s, so long as you know the way to pack it accurately, one thing I’ve develop into excellent at this 12 months. I do know all the carry-on packing necessities that you simply want to make even a two-week-long journey by Italy attainable with out checking a single bag. And sure, I’m going to share them. We do not gate-keep right here at Who What Wear, however you already knew that.
Keep scrolling for all the baggage, totes, packing equipment, and in-flight survival gadgets I introduced with me on all 100k+ miles of journey I launched into in 2025.
Luggage
tumi
International Carry-On
I’ve now had this suitcase for about 4 years, and it really does come in every single place with me. Even in these uncommon events the place I do test a bag, I fly with this one too, simply to defend any significantly particular or high-value gadgets. Something about the hard-shell exterior makes me really feel like my prized possessions are protected from injury, and I like to use the locking system, which is straightforward to use and provides me extra peace of thoughts. It’s fairly, too.
Away Travel
The Bigger Carry-On: Aluminum Edition in Silver
This is one other aluminum hard-shell carry-on suitcase that I extremely suggest, particularly if you’d like to spend a little much less however nonetheless need high-quality baggage that may defend your belongings all through your journey experiences. It has a compression system in-built on the inside to aid you match extra, plus, it comes with a restricted lifetime guarantee that covers any injury to the shell, wheels, handles, and zippers.
Bags
Bottega Veneta
Let’s go Black
Frequent flyers, belief me, that is the solely bag you can purchase to your travels. What makes the Andiamo bag so excellent for working by airports and busy metropolis streets alike is its a number of strap choices, magnetic closure, and inside zip pockets. You can carry it as a high deal with, a shoulder bag, and a crossbody with out having to connect and detach something. It’s roomy, so you do not have to preserve any necessities at residence or in your resort room, and the magnetic closure ensures that nobody can go digging inside your purse. The zip pockets inside add an additional layer of safety for issues like your pockets and passport.
Longchamp
Travel Bag Expandable
Ever been aggravated with your self for purchasing an excessive amount of on a journey and having to spend approach an excessive amount of on one other piece of bags that you do not even want simply to get the whole lot residence? Here’s your resolution. I’ve had this expandable Longchamp bag since highschool, once I purchased it in the airport at CDG in Paris, and it is nonetheless going sturdy. I exploit the small model on the approach to my vacation spot as my “personal item,” and if I store in any respect, I can simply unzip it to reveal the giant model, which I can test. Voila! Problem solved.
Accessories
tumi
Small Madeline Cosmetic
This bag does not simply include me on journeys. It comes with me day-after-day to the gymnasium, to work, and to each preview, presentation, dinner, and social gathering I attend for work. It’s mainly glued to my aspect, and makes preparing on the go really easy. When it is closed, it is by some means so compact, a miracle if you’re attempting to match it into an already stuffed tote bag.
Away Travel
The Insider Packing Cubes in Cherry Red
Two phrases: Packing cubes! I do not know what I did earlier than I found packing cubes. They make packing a lot of stuff, which I’ve by no means found out how to not do, attainable if you’re simply touring with a carry-on suitcase. Personally, I exploit three in my carry-on, one giant one which takes up one complete aspect that I put my precise garments in, one medium one for exercise garments and undergarments, after which a last smaller one for any medicine, nutritional vitamins, protein bars, Tylenol, and so forth.
Bose
Quietcomfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones
The soundproofing on these Bose headphones is subsequent degree, and permits me to loosen up on long-haul flights with out loud airplane noises holding me up all evening. They additionally keep charged endlessly and do not give me a headache like different over-ear headphones do.
CALPAK
Luka 14″ Padded Laptop Sleeve – Oatmeal
Don’t danger breaking your laptop computer throughout journey, particularly when you will have to take it out and in throughout safety. This padded laptop computer case is a recreation changer, and it fortunately does not take up a ton of house in your bag.
Peloton
Glass Water Bottle
Last however definitely not least is a water bottle. I can not spend one other $8 on a bottle of Smart Water at the airport—I refuse. Instead, I deliver this refillable possibility with me in every single place, usually asking a restaurant at the airport to give me some ice to preserve my water chilly all through the flight. Bonus factors if I bear in mind to pack a Liquid I.V. for the journey.