I pride myself on being something of a pro when it comes to perfecting a travel wardrobe. I’m typically on a flight at least twice a month, so at this point, my airport and vacation outfits require little effort—I’ve got them down to a science. From maximizing space in my carry-on bag to scouring the boy’s department at Target for comfy airport sneakers, I take travel style, and efficiency, very seriously.
So imagine my surprise when I found something new worth adding into the rotation: a compact, lightweight purse that completely replaced my usual belt bag and still fit the essentials. I’m no stranger to July, the Australian luggage brand known for designing the world’s lightest carry-on; though I’m the carry-on queen, the brand’s vintage-style trunk, a check-in size bag, has been on my travel wish list for some time. However, it’s the brand’s Carry Me mini-case that’s proven to be a true workhorse on the road and at home.
During recent trips to London and Italy, the Carry Me bag came with me everywhere, from crowded walkways in Positano to gin-sipping London nights. I’m currently packing it for a seven-day Caribbean cruise.
The style of the bag is pretty functional with the hardshell polycarbonate being the star of the show. This makes the bag a year-round winner, whether I’m dealing with a beach day and want to keep sand away from my delicates (and charging ports!) or when trudging through snow or rain. It has the durability of a hard-shell suitcase, with the flexibility of a miniature bag.
I’m typically a warm weather girl, but I truly fell in love with the bag when I grabbed it before heading out on a rainy night to London’s Connaught Bar. It paired perfectly with an oversized shirt, dark leggings, and animal print booties. I didn’t have to worry about the bag getting soaked or the exterior being damaged. A wipe down was all the water-resistant shell needed. Also, the hardshell design felt way more elevated for a night out, compared to the classic belt bag, which is absolutely functional but not exactly chic.
The shell doesn’t offer flexibility like a fabric bag would, but the interior is still spacious enough for the essentials—my iPhone 13 Pro, a heavy duty portable charger that’s just as long as my phone, a slim wallet, and lip gloss.
The inside features two deep pockets; I find the zippered compartment to be the least utilized (other than my hotel keycard and lip gloss) as it’s a pretty tight space. But the elastic mesh pocket has great stretch and ended up being the secure home for my wallet and hand sanitizer. The shoulder strap is adjustable, and clips on to the metallic clasps on the bag . Removing the straps also turns the bag into a clutch, which is how I plan to carry it for a few nights on my upcoming cruise. The hardshell case is easy to carry in a single hand, and between the concealed zippers and no-frills design, it’s a suitable style companion for nights that require formalwear attire.
One of the most unique, yet simple, features of the July Carry Me bag is the snap closures on each side of the crossbody. This keeps the bag secure, but when fully unsnapped, allows it to open and lie completely flat. I wouldn’t undo the snaps while out and about (unless all of your goods are securely in one of the two pockets), but the unsnap feature does prove useful if you want a full view of your items while packing or unpacking.
The July Carry Me bag comes in a range of colors, including moss green, shadow lavender, clay, and neutrals like charcoal and navy (which tend to go in and out of stock)—and it’s the most versatile travel purse I own.
