Deceptively Large Carry-on Bags

This isn’t just another roundup of “good carry-ons”—these are the bags we reach for when we need to maximize space with a personal item—the kind you can hide over your opposite shoulder as they scan your boarding pass and breeze through without getting gate-checked. Or, to borrow from Succession, they’re “ludicrously capacious”—far roomier than they appear, but still technically airline approved. Vehemently anti-backpack and partial to shoulder bags, we did include a few duffels that are malleable enough to fit under the seat in front of you and durable enough for the overhead bin. Most of these have been road-tested by us or one of our contributors (read more of their packing wisdom here), but if we missed a favorite of yours, let us know in the comments!

1. The Rue de Verneuil Traversée is one of Yolanda’s favorite carry-on bags—it has a trolley strap and expands/contracts with snaps. It’s a handbag or a carryall, depending on your needs, and it packs flat and weighs almost nothing. €400 (~$430) 
   
   
2. Passalacqua x Chez Dede Grand Sac – This might feel like a random addition because, yes, it’s hotel merch, but it has the right amount of pockets, a key ring, adjustable leather straps, and when it’s fully stuffed it can carry nearly as much as an Away hardshell case—but you’d never know it! Carly even lived out of it for a week-long trip to Massachusetts this summer (which was part of the inspiration for this story). It doesn’t zip shut if that is important to you. €590 (~$635) 
   
   
3. Paravel Rove Weekender – Their website says it fits 2-3 days of clothes plus a wash-kit and we believe them. It also has a removable shoulder strap, interior and exterior zip pockets, and a trolley sleeve. $370
   
   
4. “Without fail, I always bring my Perriand Weekend—it’s the perfect carry-on bag for me and with the Stowaway inside, I always have a smaller bag at hand.” —Melissa Morris, founder of Métier $5,250
   
   
5. LL Bean Boat & Tote with zip top – The price is right, and the travel patina just adds to the character. Bonus: you can throw them in the wash if they get really banged up. $54
   
   
6. “I usually travel with the Away Weekender on top of the suitcase and bring it empty so I can fill it with souvenirs on my return.” —Margherita Missoni, designer and founder of Maccapani $245
   
   
7. Béis Ultimate Travel Duffle – For a short trip, you could get away with just this brilliantly designed bag, which opens flat like a suitcase. Inside, it has a large zip section, a PVC-lined pocket for toiletries, a padded laptop sleeve, several magnetic or zip exterior pockets, a key strap and removable card holder, and of course, a trolley pass-through. This video of all its features sold us on it. $118
   
   
8. “My all-time-go-to luggage when traveling is our large nylon bag, the Nabelle Tote Bag. It’s not huge, but it fits what you need for a few days.” —Maja Dixdotter, creative director of By Malene Birger $400
   
   
9. “No matter the trip, I will always bring my trusty Rimowa suitcase stacked with my Cesta Canvas Tote on top. I designed this bag to be what I wanted in a carry-on. There is a leather slip pocket for your computer, a big zip pocket for miscellaneous bits and bobs, as well as pockets sized for a phone and for a passport. Plus, it fits perfectly on top of a carry-on roller suitcase.” —Erin Ryder, co-founder of Cesta Collective $750
   
   
10. Ralph Lauren Bellport Tote – Like the elegant, grown-up cousin of the LL Bean boat and tote, this durable double-lined canvas bag has Italian leather trim, three interior pockets, leather handles and a removable shoulder strap. $598
    
    
11. Alex Mill Weekend Tote – Expandable snap closures, an interior laptop-sized compartment and zip pocket, and double handles. It comes in really nice washed-canvas colors, and you can get it monogrammed if that’s your thing! $195
    
    
12. Clare V Le Zip Sac – Looks like a large handbag, but it doubles as a carry-on with a hidden trolley strap, shoulder strap and top handles. $495
    
    
13. Kule Over the Shoulder Tote and Striped Tote – Our associate editor Carly recently brought the short-handle striped tote on a trip to The Bahamas and it was perfect for the beach, hauling groceries, and sitting flat on top of her suitcase. The colors and stripes are so fun and it’s definitely bigger than the size limit of most airlines (especially on puddle jumpers), but it squished under the seat, and no one said anything. The only downside is that it doesn’t zip, so don’t book an exit row where your stuff might tumble out when you put it in the overhead bin. $198
    
    
14. The Large Bag from French brand L’Uniform has reinforcement feet to keep it protected on the airplane floor, leather grip handles, and exterior snap pouches. Plus, you can customize and monogram it. We’d trust any capacious bag designed by Jeanne Signoles, who shared her (over)packing secrets with us here. $1,050
    
    
15. Parker Thatch Jack Bag – The patina on this “broken-in” leather bag is so good, and the designer Irene breaks down just how much it can fit in this video. We’re sold! $898