Choosing the right personal item is crucial. It’s not just a bag… it’s your travel sidekick, your under-the-seat MVP, and the one thing standing between you and total chaos at 30,000 feet.
Have you ever stared at airline baggage rules and thought, “What exactly is a carry-on, and why is my ‘personal item’ suddenly a math problem?” 😂
Let’s break it down!
🧳 Carry-on: goes in the overhead bin. (suitcase, duffle bag, a bigger backpack)
🎒 Personal item: it’s smaller than a carry-on and MUST fit under the seat in front of you. (tote bag, backpack, laptop bag, crossbody bag)
If you can’t shove it under the seat, it’s not a personal item. And no, you can’t just balance a giant tote on your lap and hope the flight attendant doesn’t notice.
What’s allowed?
Airlines usually allow one personal item and one carry-on per traveler, but size and weight limits vary, so always check your airline’s policy to avoid any surprises.
These rules vary vastly depending on the airline and the continent you’re in. I’ve flown budget airlines in Asia where they literally have someone weighting and measuring your personal item as you board your flight! If you don’ pass the ‘test’ they swipe your credit card 💳
How to choose the perfect personal item for YOU?
Because your personal item is the bag that stays with you at all times, it needs to be functional, organized, and of course meet airline requirements.
Not all personal items are built the same, and depending on your travel style, destination, or type of trip your ideal personal item might change. Here’s a rundown of some fantastic options for women travelers and how they fit different needs:
1️⃣ Tote Bags:
Perfect for fashion-forward travelers who want function and style. A good tote is spacious, easy to access, and can transition from plane to dinner effortlessly.
- Pros: Roomy, easy to pack and unpack, and super chic.
- Cons: If it doesn’t have a zipper, things might spill under the seat. They’re also not great to carry for everyday explorations. So if you’re going somewhere on vacation, you might need to pack an extra bag.
2️⃣ Backpacks:
A favorite among moms, adventure seekers, and *some* overpackers. Backpacks keep your hands free, distribute weight evenly, and often come with plenty of pockets for organization.
- Pros: Comfortable to carry, great for organization, and versatile for sightseeing.
- Cons: Harder to access quickly, and can feel bulky if overloaded.
3️⃣ Weekender or Duffle Bags:
These under-seat duffels or small weekender bags are spacious yet compact. They’re ideal for women who like to bring “just in case” items without committing to a carry-on suitcase. Weekenders are great options for shorter *weekend* trips.
- Pros: Large interior space, perfect for clothing, shoes, or extras.
- Cons: Heavier to carry without wheels and sometimes less organized.
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4️⃣ Crossbody Bags:
Small, sleek, and perfect for the minimalist or traveler who wants to stay light. A crossbody bag keeps essentials close while staying out of the way.
- Pros: Lightweight, easy to carry, and secure.
- Cons: Limited space for larger items like a tablet or water bottle.
👉🏻 this is the one I have. It goes well with everything!
5️⃣ Rolling Under-Seat Bags or Laptop Bags:
For travelers who want maximum space while technically sticking to the “personal item” rules, these rolling bags can be lifesavers.
- Pros: Spacious, easy to roll, and great for avoiding shoulder strain.
- Cons: Bulky to store under the seat and might not fit on some airlines. Also, if you’re traveling with carry-on as well, it might be hard to handle both at once.
6️⃣ Diaper Bags:
Traveling with kids? A diaper bag doubles as a personal item. Modern designs include compartments for everything from bottles to snacks to emergency wipes. This is not my expertise LOL but they are very popular with the mamas!
- Pros: Lots of compartments, durable, and multipurpose.
- Cons: They can get bulky and heavy, awkward to carry and they sometimes end up not fitting under the seat.
How to Pack Your Personal Item Efficiently
The answer here is layers! Keep in mind that this advice only applies for bigger personal items.
- Bottom Layer: Things you probably won’t use during your flight. Think of toiletries, a notebook, emergency packing cube, or whatever random things you stuffed in there that you don’t think you’ll use during your flight!
- Middle Layer: This layer holds things you’ll likely need but not as often as your top-layer items. Think of charging cables, a power bank, tablet, a book, etc.
- Top Layer: It’s for all the essentials you’ll need during the flight. Like headphones, a water bottle, an extra layer, etc.
- Pockets: these are my favorite! I use interior and exterior pockets for small items like keys, lip balm, a pen, tampons, extra snacks, hand and face moisturizer, my inhaler, etc.
What do I travel with?
You would be surprised, but I break the rules. Someone actually called me out on this one the other day 🙊.
I travel with 3 items: a 20′ carry-on, a backpack and a small crossbody bag. Which is technically not allowed. But I do leave space inside my backpack just in case I have to put my crossbody bag away (which has happened).
The reason why I do this is because I need the backpack for all my tech stuff, but I’ve learned that it’s hard to reach for my basic items. That’s why I added this small crossbody bag.
If you’re going to do the same, you do need to leave space inside either your carry-on or your backpack to put the crossbody bag away if you’re asked to do so.
That’s it from me today my traveling friends. If you have any questions, just leave a comment below!
XO,
Aimara
PS: remember to watch my entire packing process here! You will learn how to pack light in under 30 minutes!
About The Author:
Hi, my name is Aimara and I am the voice behind Ways of Style. I was born and raised in Venezuela until the age of 27 when I moved to Chicago, and 2 years later I met my best friend and husband. We now travel full time and live out of a carry-on bag, so believe me, I know a thing or two about how to maximize every single piece I own.
I love creating new looks, and looking cute while I’m traveling. And in this blog, I try to share all my outfits, even if I don’t have the best photos ;) My goal is to help you maximize every piece you have in your closet and to encourage you to live with less things.
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