I’ve a friend who does the whole one bag thing. Whenever we fly, she’s popping her backpack with the weekend’s gear neatly under her seat, smugly avoiding the baggage fee. Good for her – but I can’t relate. As Traveller’s shopping writer, I’ve tested hundreds of products over the last two years, so there’s a wealth of essentials I now won’t fly without. But when Anya Hindmarch’s short haul suitcase, a type A organiser’s dream in sheeny recycled black nylon, arrived at my desk, the amount of pocket retail estate alone was such that I wondered if I’d even need to bring another bag to the airport at all.
The carry-on case, one of three luggage pieces in the brand’s signature Labelled range, has seven external compartments, two inner ones and two additional slip pockets, finished with smart leather trims and shiny gold labels. I’m not complaining about the amount of stuff that I usually bring on holiday – I’ve a great water bottle, an amazing pair of headphones, and I love my Kindle, among all my other tried-and-tested favourites. However, where my friend’s underseat item is full of precisely-rolled outfits and a slimmed-down toiletry kit, mine tends to feature a heaving liquids bag, slew of tech and, often, another pair of shoes. Just in case. I refuse to pack less, but could this case at least help me to remain more organised while away?
Who is Anya Hindmarch?
Founded in London in 1987, Dame Anya Hindmarch has quietly expanded her brand globally with her organisationally-oriented bags and accessories and playful retail concepts. You’ll have seen this year’s ice cream pop-up on your social feeds, with its nostalgic tubs filled with scoops of unusual flavours including Irn Bru, pickled onion, olive oil and Hob Nob, just a few steps from the flagship Kensington store. “I have a nerdy fascination with organisation, from email inboxes down to sock drawers,” Anya says. “Being a planner makes me feel a bit geeky, but life without organisation is hard work.”
The brand’s Labelled range is its best-selling, all made from hardwearing recycled nylon and comprising a selection of travel bags, pouches and toiletry kits for every eventuality. Rather than taking a more technical approach like some of our other favourite luggage brands, Anya Hindmarch focuses on sustainability, creativity and craftsmanship. The I Am A Plastic Bag project, launched in 2020 to tackle post-consumer waste, challenges all you’d think about crunchy, eco-friendly design. Each ultra-smart tote has been crafted from 32 half-litre recycled plastic bottles, but looks as chic as any other designer handbag around.
Anya Hindmarch carry-on suitcase review
Anya is right that this highly organised suitcase makes life easier. Firstly, you’ll not forget anything important, as all the labelled sections literally remind you what to bring. And you can’t lose anything (no rummaging here) as everything will be in its rightful place. Plus, all the outer pockets keep things you’d usually have to squeeze inside your case, or in a second bag, within easy reach. This is also handy for the security scanners and passport control. Simply put: you don’t have to think. Charging cables? In the ‘Cables’ pocket. Laptop, headphones and Kindle? In the ‘Technology’ section. Liquids? Easily accessible in the ‘Liquids’ pouch. And your passport and boarding pass naturally slot into ‘Essentials’.
The biggest perk is that having all this external room means there’s plenty of additional internal space for everything else. Inside, there are two sections – one labelled for clothes and the other for laundry. This is a nice idea, but I was unconvinced that keeping half a suitcase free for dirty clothes was the best use of space, so instead I used the ‘laundry’ side for shoes, my hat and a crossbody bag, plus a small wash bag with waterless beauty products. My jewellery pouch and sleep mask went in the ‘accessories’ slip pocket.
With my newfound expert organisation skills, I ultimately had space for seven full outfits, plus swimwear and pyjamas for my three-night trip – unheard of for me to be able to fit in one case before. There was even one dress I didn’t wear, meaning my overpacking tendencies were happily sated without the need for a hold bag. Between this carry-on and an underseat bag, you could easily pack for a weeklong break without the need for a checked suitcase.
