After accumulating over 100,000 Delta Miles, I've finally discovered the key to traveling with only a carry-on.

After accumulating over 100,000 Delta Miles, I've finally discovered the key to traveling with only a carry-on.

      I've traveled extensively this year—really a lot. I flew for 17 hours to Seoul and 10 hours to Athens. Additionally, I visited Milan (twice), Montreal, and Miami (also twice), along with several trips to and from Chicago, my hometown, for weddings, holidays, and hair appointments (yes, sometimes I fly home to get my hair done—blame the high prices in New York City and my talented long-time colorist). While I might not have reached Diamond Medallion status with Delta in 2025, I came quite close, and I picked up a few tips about traveling along the way.

      Firstly, I dislike flying with checked luggage. The anxiety I feel while waiting for the baggage carousel to turn without my beloved TUMI trunk isn’t worth the extra space. Plus, it makes navigating the five flights of stairs in my Upper West Side apartment challenging when I need to leave for an early 7 AM flight (my preferred flying time). There’s a certain sense of freedom that comes with just carrying a carry-on, as long as you know how to pack it properly, which I’ve become quite adept at this year. I know all the essentials for packing a carry-on that can accommodate even a two-week trip to Italy without needing to check a bag. And yes, I plan to share them. We don’t keep secrets at Who What Wear, and you likely knew that already.

      Keep scrolling to see all the luggage, totes, packing accessories, and in-flight must-haves that accompanied me on my journey of over 100,000 miles in 2025.

      **Luggage**

      **TUMI International Carry-On**

      I've had this suitcase for around four years, and it truly goes everywhere with me. Even on those rare occasions when I check a bag, I still bring this one to safeguard any particularly special or valuable items. Something about the hard-shell exterior reassures me that my prized belongings are protected, and I appreciate the easy-to-use locking system that offers extra peace of mind. It’s also visually appealing.

      **Away Travel The Bigger Carry-On: Aluminum Edition in Silver**

      This is another aluminum hard-shell carry-on suitcase that I highly recommend, especially if you’re looking for quality luggage without breaking the bank. It features an internal compression system to help maximize packing space and comes with a limited lifetime warranty covering damage to the shell, wheels, handles, and zippers.

      **Bags**

      **Bottega Veneta Andiamo in Black**

      Frequent travelers, listen up—this is the only bag you need for your trips. The Andiamo bag excels in navigating airports and busy city streets thanks to its multiple strap options, magnetic closure, and interior zip pockets. You can carry it by the top handle, as a shoulder bag, or crossbody without needing to attach or detach anything. It’s spacious enough to hold all your essentials, and the magnetic closure ensures that no one can rummage through your bag. The zip pockets inside provide extra security for items like your wallet and passport.

      **Longchamp Travel Bag Expandable**

      Ever been frustrated after shopping too much on a trip and needing to buy an unnecessary extra piece of luggage to bring everything home? This bag is your solution. I’ve had this expandable Longchamp bag since high school, bought at the airport in CDG Paris, and it’s still reliable. I use the smaller version as my "personal item" en route, and if I indulge in shopping, I can easily unzip it to reveal the larger version, which can be checked. Problem solved!

      **Accessories**

      **TUMI Small Madeline Cosmetic**

      This bag doesn’t only travel with me—it’s also with me daily at the gym, at work, and for every preview, presentation, dinner, and work-related party. It’s almost like a permanent accessory, making on-the-go preparations a breeze. It’s surprisingly compact when closed, which is a blessing when trying to fit it into an already full tote bag.

      **Away Travel The Insider Packing Cubes in Cherry Red**

      Two words: packing cubes! I don’t know how I managed without them. They make packing a significant amount of stuff, which I seem to do regularly, possible with just a carry-on suitcase. Personally, I use three in my carry-on: a large one for my clothes, a medium one for workout gear and undergarments, and a smaller one for medications, vitamins, protein bars, Tylenol, and the like.

      **Louis Vuitton Passport Cover**

      The best feature of this passport cover is the ability to get it stamped at local Louis Vuitton stores during your travels. It may not be the most practical item on this list, but it’s fun and very stylish.

      **Bose Quietcomfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones**

      The sound-canceling capability of these Bose headphones is outstanding, allowing me to relax on long flights without being disturbed by airplane

After accumulating over 100,000 Delta Miles, I've finally discovered the key to traveling with only a carry-on. After accumulating over 100,000 Delta Miles, I've finally discovered the key to traveling with only a carry-on. After accumulating over 100,000 Delta Miles, I've finally discovered the key to traveling with only a carry-on. After accumulating over 100,000 Delta Miles, I've finally discovered the key to traveling with only a carry-on. After accumulating over 100,000 Delta Miles, I've finally discovered the key to traveling with only a carry-on. After accumulating over 100,000 Delta Miles, I've finally discovered the key to traveling with only a carry-on. After accumulating over 100,000 Delta Miles, I've finally discovered the key to traveling with only a carry-on. After accumulating over 100,000 Delta Miles, I've finally discovered the key to traveling with only a carry-on. After accumulating over 100,000 Delta Miles, I've finally discovered the key to traveling with only a carry-on. After accumulating over 100,000 Delta Miles, I've finally discovered the key to traveling with only a carry-on. After accumulating over 100,000 Delta Miles, I've finally discovered the key to traveling with only a carry-on. After accumulating over 100,000 Delta Miles, I've finally discovered the key to traveling with only a carry-on.

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After accumulating over 100,000 Delta Miles, I've finally discovered the key to traveling with only a carry-on.

All the necessary packing items for traveling lightly.