The MZ Wallace Large Metro Tote Is Your New Go-To Travel Bag

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When we're packing for a trip, my husband counts how many days we'll be there, and then packs exactly that number of shirts. Four days? Four shirts. A week? Seven shirts. I could never pack like that, though I deeply aspire to be someone who travels light. When I commit to bringing just a carry on, inevitably, I cannot fit everything I want to bring in my suitcase. Enter the personal item of every overpacker's dream: the MZ Wallace Large Metro Tote.

For years, I had borrowed (er, stolen) my mom's medium-sized MZ Wallace tote. I adored the quilted fabric, the clever use of pockets, and how, despite the amount of items I put in it, it never broke. Ahead of a big trip to Japan, I decided it was well past time to buy myself a tote of my own, and I decided to go for the the large version. And I am here to tell you, dear readers: It's so worth it.

There are six interior pockets, plus it comes with three detachable pouches. (I like keeping disposable masks in one, snacks and granola bars in another, and all my chargers in the third.) It has a handy-dandy luggage sleeve, for you to plop the bag on top of your carry on as you wheel it through the airport, and numerous external pockets for easy access to your wallet, passport, phone, and the like. It zips at the top—a key feature of any travel bag (who is traveling with an open tote in this day and age?! I just wanna talk). And, if you want to transition it to an overnight bag, it comes with a detachable, adjustable nylon crossbody strap. This bag can do it all.

On that aforementioned trip to Japan, it fit (take a deep breath with me): Three paperback books, my kindle, my laptop, my chargers, a neck pillow, snacks, a cosmetic bag, a small travel jewelry box, my AirPods Max, my smaller purse (filled with my wallet, passport, and travel documents), two sets of glasses (reading, sun)...and I still had room for more! With some gentle smushing, it fit underneath the seat in front of me. The padded shoulder straps make it easy to carry, and I have used it on many more trips since. On some weekend trips, it's the only bag I pack in.

And while it may seem very large—some may say ludicrously capacious—the quilted, matte black fabric is chic, and can stand wear and tear. If you're not willing to go for the large size, it comes in smaller versions:

Medium Metro Tote Deluxe

Small Metro Tote Deluxe

So, as we head into holiday travel, if you're looking to last-minute upgrade your tote: Look no further than this MZ Wallace bag. You won't regret it, I promise.

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