5.7.18 10

My Favorite Carry-On (+ How I Keep It White)

Who else is team carry-on?

I can’t remember the last time I took a full-size suitcase on a trip or checked a bag ahead of a flight. I love the freedom that a carry-on gives you since you can walk right off the plane once you’ve reached your destination. I also love the peace of mind flying with one gives me since it’s less likely to get lost. Barring a delayed or canceled flight, the worst news I can receive at the terminal is that I’m going to have to gate-check my bag since it takes away those two benefits—ugh!

As a different kind of travel post today, I thought I would share a bit about my favorite carry-on— the Delsey Chatelet 21-inch hard side spinner carry-on in the color champagne—in case you’re in the market.

I actually received this popular bag (I’m sure you’ve seen it before if you follow a lot of bloggers!) for my birthday this year, and have taken it on nearly every trip since. Prior to switching to the Delsey Chatelet, I used a classic black Samsonite that was super functional, but frankly, just wasn’t as pretty! I did keep the Samsonite, because even though both carry-ons are 21″, I think the Samsonite can fit more. The Delsey zips down the middle, so there are two equal-sized pockets, whereas the Samsonite zips toward the front, meaning there is one large pocket. I took the Samsonite with me to New Orleans since I was there for five days and needed more outfit options, but the Delsey works great for any trips shorter than that.

delsey chatelet 21 inch carry on

delsey chatelet 21 inch carry on

In addition to being highly ~Instagrammable, the Delsey is extremely practical. Even though it’s a hard case, it’s still extremely lightweight and easy for me to lift in the overhead compartments by myself even when it’s packed full. I also love that the wheels smoothly spin 360-degrees and that there’s a brake, so that when I’m sitting at the airport bar or at the gate, my bag isn’t rolling around. It also has a built-in TSA-approved lock if that’s important to you—I never use it since I only carry-on, and since they have a key, I don’t really see the point.

If you’re nervous about getting a white suitcase for fear that it will get really dirty quickly—fear not! Mine gets beat around a lot on the typical trip and has survived several instances where I’ve had to gate-check it and seen them throw it roughly onto the luggage carts or conveyor belt onto the plane. Whenever I get home from a trip, I wipe it down with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and it’s as good as new! The hard shell case is really durable, and I’ve never experienced a situation where it actually scratched so deep that the white was chipped.

delsey chatelet 21 inch carry on

delsey chatelet 21 inch carry on

If you’re looking for something larger than the 21″ Delsey Chatelet carry-on, there’s also a 24″ Delsey Chatelet suitcase and a 28″ Delsey Chatelet suitcase. I can’t recommend this luggage line enough! I’d love to know what you’re favorite carry-on is—let me know in the comments below.

PS. My luggage tag is available here.

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10 Comments

  1. I love how chic this bag is! I’d love to see everything you can fit in/how to organize it because if my trips are more than two days I have to check my bags lol!

    Published 5.7.18
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Thank you so much! I will definitely add that to the post ideas list :]

      Published 5.11.18
      Reply
  2. What a beautiful bag!! I love it. Very Instagramable.
    And seriously, Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are ah-mazing! They work on everything!

    Published 5.7.18
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Thank you so much! And YES! They are the best.

      Published 5.11.18
      Reply
  3. Rachel wrote:

    Hooray for finding a fab suitcase! I splurged on an Away suitcase at the end of last year and am really loving it. I’ve been meaning to get some of those magic erasers though – I’ve heard so many great things about them!

    Published 5.20.18
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Ah! I’ve heard so many good things about Away suitcases, too!

      Published 5.23.18
      Reply
  4. Diana wrote:

    I’m really loving this Delsey luggage in the champagne color. But I see that the wheels and lock on your luggage has change color to a yellowish? Can you verify that? How long did you had it before it change color? Where and how do you store it?
    Thanks

    Published 3.26.22
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      These photos were taken less than a year after I got this luggage — I think mine has always been this way; it’s something I’d never noticed before and it doesn’t bother me!

      Published 3.27.22
      Reply
  5. Cathy D wrote:

    I too love this luggage. I’ve had the 21” & 28” bags for about a year and a half, and just purchased the 24” to complete the set. I can’t recommend it enough!!! And now, since finding your post, I’ll be cleaning the older bags, and will have an entire set that looks brand new. Thank you!!

    Published 7.18.23
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Yay! I am so glad it was helpful – I’ve had mine for years and it still looks like new thanks to this hack!

      Published 8.15.23
      Reply