Arrive in style with these 15 carry-on tote bags
While flight delays, weather warnings, and interrupted plans are out of your control, one thing you can have ownership of is finding the perfect carry-on tote bag to make travel feel like more of a breeze.
The ideal carry-on tote makes packing both your valuable and overflow items easy and streamlined. The New York City-based stylist Caitlin Burke is one frequent flier who likes to look put-together while on the go. "I was searching for a while to find a carry-on handbag, something oversized and luxe, but not too precious for all the inevitable wear and tear," she says. "A good travel tote must be able to be carried on the shoulder, and ideally has a big open compartment, with no complicated closures. I like something non-structured that you can squeeze a lot into and can fit under your seat with ease. I don't want to be worrying about crushing the bag or maintaining its structure while travelling."
Burke's search led her to the Bottega Veneta Hop bag, which she takes with her alongside her trusted Away and Tumi hardshell cases. "I love that the large Hop bag, and the leather, only gets better with stretch and age, so you can really beat it up. It fits everything you need and looks chic too," she says. One thing she'll never do again? Bring a vintage carry-on bag that was only intended to be handheld.
Whether you prioritise pockets, need space for a laptop, or want an option that can take you straight to the beach, our curated edit of carry-on tote bags, crafted from leather, suede, nylon, raffia and canvas, will suit your travel needs.
Bottega Veneta
"I like something that wears well; that you don't have to worry about scratching or staining," Burke says. "I can't say enough good things about Bottega's leather. All of my intrecciato bags only get better with age and wear."
This Bottega Veneta Hop bag also boasts a wide and sturdy strap to make lugging your belongings more comfortable on your shoulder, while a magnetic closure keeps them secure.
Materials: Leather
Size: Height 9.5 inches / width 21.5 inches / depth 5 inches
Colours: Pinecone, lunar, sterling, fondant, olive oil
Hunting Season
Seasons come and go, but a Hunting Season bag is forever. This roomy holdall is ideal for an overnight getaway, featuring an attachable shoulder strap for hands-free carrying. Inside, you'll find two internal slip pockets to keep valuables safe, while the zip fastening that runs along the top will give you the ultimate peace of mind while travelling.
Materials: Canvas, leather
Size: Height 28.5cm / width 49cm / depth 24cm
Colours: Beige, brown
Cuyana
The sustainably minded brand Cuyana is about marrying simple, beautiful design with made-to-last quality. For business travel, its System tote is a popular choice, thanks to its ability to fit most 16" laptops and its structured flat base. Better yet, the sleek leather bag will conveniently slip over the handle of your carry-on suitcase.
Materials: Leather
Size: Height 11 inches / width 19 inches / depth 5.5 inches
Colours: Black, dark olive
Béis
The Weekender from Shay Mitchell's travel brand Béis is a favourite among people on the go, and with a price-tag that's less than an average bus or train ticket these days, you'll get lots of bang for your buck. The water-repellent bag is comprised of a spacious main compartment and an additional one underneath for things like shoes or toiletries. It also comes with an adjustable crossbody strap, and it attaches with ease onto the candles of a suitcase thanks to an exterior sleeve.
Materials: Poly canvas, vegan leather, nylon
Size: Height 10.5 inches / width 20.8 inches / depth 8 inches
Colours: Black, beige, pink, grey, olive, navy, maple white
DeMellier
No matter how far you're going, the Tokyo tote is your perfect travel companion. Crafted in responsibly sourced cow leather, this bag is also guaranteed to last as DeMellier offers services to repair, refresh, and improve over time. There are two slip pockets and one internal zipped pocket inside, along with a magnetic fastening to keep your belongings snug. Editor's note: due to the slim straps, this bag is better suited for carrying lighter items on board.
Materials: Leather
Size: Height 10.6 inches / width 18 inches / depth 6 inches
Colours: Tan, neutral, black
Paravel
Whatever is on the agenda once you reach your destination, Paravel's multi-purpose and customisable Cabana tote tends to step up to the mark. The durable canvas, perfectly suited for beach days, sight-seeing, picnics,and road trips, is made from recycled bottles. The Cabana also boasts an impressive four pockets between the interior and exterior.
Materials: EcoCraft Canvas®
Size: Height 14.5 inches / width 7.5 inches / length 23.75 inches
Colours: Domino black, marlin, shandy, paloma
Away
"Away is so ubiquitous, but it's become popular for a reason," Burke says about one of her go-to brands for professional and personal travel. The ultra lightweight and waterproof Everywhere bag weighs just 2.25 lbs, but can pack away an impressive amount, including a 16" laptop and a water bottle in a secure separate pocket. Approved by airlines to meet the "personal item" requirement, it's ideal for those who like to maximise their carry-on luggage potential for trips away.
Materials: Nylon, leather
Size: Height 16.3 inches / width 7.3 inches
Colours: Black, navy, blue, olive, sea green, cloud grey, salt white, sorbet, clay
Naghedi
Sara Naghedi launched her New York City-based brand to fill the gap between style and function, at an attainable price point. The Jetsetter, as the name implies, travels effortlessly and elegantly with you. Light as a feather and featuring a main compartment and a zip closure, one of the other reasons we love it is that the handwoven neoprene is handy to wipe down and keep clean in-between use. It also doubles as a great gym or baby bag.
Materials: Vegan leather, neoprene
Size: Height 13 inches / width 22 inches / depth 9 inches
Colours: Cashmere, mink, ecru, shell pink, olive, onyx, ink blue
Toteme
Looking for a winter weekender? This bag screams cosy getaway, with its soft, wool flannel construction in navy and grey hues. Featuring the brand's now-famous T-lock fastening and study leather straps and trims, it's ideal for quick escapes as it can comfortably fit a laptop and change of clothes.
Materials: Wool, leather
Size: Height 11.8 inches / width 19.7 inches / depth 7.9 inches
Colours: Navy, dark grey
Khaite
Doesn't the mere sight of Khaite's sumptuously designed and roomy Lotus tote make you want to book a chic excursion? The scarf-inspired construction drapes effortlessly and it's lightweight to carry, for those times when you want to breeze onto the plane in style with just the essentials in tow. A rounded base adds stability, and its timeless design ensures you'll have nods of approval from your seat-mates during the flight.
Materials: Leather, suede, raffia
Size: Height 15.5 inches / width 8.5 inches / length 22 inches
Colours: Black honey, black leather, brown suede, ivory, green, rouge noir
Prada
As classic now as it has been throughout the decades, this efficient and streamlined Prada tote is a modernised re-edition of an archive design. Now rendered in Re-Nylon, a regenerated material that's better for the planet and made to stand the test of time, this large carryall with leather handles has two pockets to keep your belongings organised. Its sleek and simple design, convenient size, and heavy-duty fabric ensure it's an option you'll reach for time and time again when heading to the airport.
Materials: Re-Nylon, leather
Size: Height 31 cm / width 43 cm / length 15 cm
Colours: Cork beige, navy black
Jacquemus
A carry-on that can take you straight to the pool or beach? Look no further than Jacquemus' asymmetrical leather-trimmed tote in faux raffia pierced with gold hardware. The bag has a magnetic closure to keep things secure while on the go, as well as a zipped interior pocket, and a structured flat base for when you need to set it down. Once at your destination, it's stylish enough to be your everyday accessory to hold your swimwear, sunscreen and book of choice.
Materials: Nylon, leather, and cotton
Size: Height 16 inches / width 19.3 inches / depth 8.7 inches
Colours: Tan
VeeCollective
Nylon is an ideal choice for travelling as it's sturdy, substantial, comfortable to carry, and won't show wear and tear. The Berlin-based B Corp-certified brand VeeCollective is elevating everyday nylon bags to new covetable heights thanks to its extensive offering of sizes, shades, and finishes, all in 100 per cent recycled and vegan fabrics. Discover your new feather-light travel companion, which includes a 16" laptop sleeve, detachable shoulder strap, compartments, pockets, and a bonus nylon pouch, right this way...
Materials: Nylon, vegan leather
Size: Height 13.77 inches / width 21.65 inches / depth 7.87 inches
Colours: Black, moss, deep sea, sand
Loewe
Loewe's anagram logo has steadily become an in-demand signifier of good taste and style. This large basket tote from the ongoing Paula's Ibiza line is a must-have for those who like one beach-ready bag that can do it all when traveling. The oversized tote is handwoven from sturdy, sun-dried palm fibre by Colombian female artisans and features leather straps for extra support.
Materials: Iraca palm, leather
Size: Height 9.6 inches / width 18 inches / depth 6.3 inches
Colours: Tan
Métier
Head off on your getaway in style with this supple, slouchy tote from Métier; a larger version of its adored Market bag. For extra marks, it features a detachable pouch that becomes a separate shoulder bag while on your travels, too.
Materials: Leather, suede
Size: Height 12.6 inches / width 14. inches / depth 6.3 inches
Colours: Black, brown
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