Perfect hand luggage

3 Nov

One of my biggest considerations whenever I go away is my carry-on bag. Last year I was bought a weekend bag for my birthday and I’ve found it absolutely indespensible on all my travels since – it’s large enough for clothes for the two of us for just a couple of nights away, but small enough to take on the plane for longer trips. Best of all, it’s effortlessly stylish, and always makes me feel excited about going away.

Here’s a few of my favourite bags at the moment that would be perfect for hand luggage:

I’m quite fond of quirky prints and bold colours, so this bag from Acccessorize (£65) is right up my street. Size-wise, it’s perfect, allowing you to fit plenty in, while still being comfy enough to carry around. The patterns alone will get you in the mood for a holiday long before you head off on honeymoon.

For a bit of boho chic, this gorgeous bag from Plumo (£69) is just perfect, and makes a great statement piece. Decorated in a combination of pewter, mirror and silver studwork, it has both handles and adjustable straps, which I always find really handy when I’m lugging a bag around airports. I love that it’s quirky, yet the muted colours make it a bit more sophisticated than the Accessorize option.

I’ll be absolutely honest – having jumped on the bandwagon a few years ago, I’m now a little bit underwhelmed by all things Cath Kidston, and find spending any more than a minute in their shops a bit of a twee overload. However, they do make good carry-on bags, and I was won over by this floral but not too flowery bag when I came across it on the John Lewis website (£65) – the bright red of the bag is a really gorgeous shade, and as it’s wipe-clean it’ll be easier to keep clean than a cloth bag.

Sometimes, though, you need a bag that’s a little bit more sophisticated and timeless. I’m a sucker for luggage that looks a little old-fashioned (though unfortunately my budget doesn’t usually allow for such luxuries), and this leather Barbour bag is just perfect. You can find it on the John Lewis website (£219) – it’s not cheap, but it will last you a long time, and is so classic that you don’t have to worry about it going out of style. Plus, it’s something that both of you could carry without worrying that it looks too girly/manly.