Most airlines’ checked baggage limits include 62" total for L+W+H if you do not want to pay oversize fees. How strictly that is enforced may vary.
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Wow, I didn’t check any other airlines as I’ve flown with that 28” (with wheels and handle 30.5”) all over the U.S. and international with U.S. airlines. I guess it’s just Lufthansa that measures everything - FB groups and cruise groups are reporting that Lufthansa is kicking bags out or charging expensive fees over over sized bags. The other large luggage bags I’ve checked also are too large. Why would U.S. have the same restrictions if all luggage is too big?
Maybe baggage size limits are like speed limits in terms of how strictly they are enforced.
I.e. it is common for baggage companies to make bags that are an inch or few over, because of lax enforcement, just like how many drivers drive 5-10mph over the speed limit.
Lufthansa is not the only airline with strict enforcement. Flair makes everyone put their personal item and carry-on in the sizer. Cathay Pacific once wanted to weigh my carry-on, but let me take it anyway when it was 1kg over the 7kg limit (it was a backpack, no wheels).
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Have you considered getting a 25 inch bag and then using compression packing cubes? Those things are a godsend. Not just a regular packing cube a compression packing cube you’d be surprised how much you can fit in a suitcase.
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But don’t forget about weight. Compacted clothes weigh the same as non-compacted clothes, so don’t pack double!
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Personally, my largest suitcase is only 24”. I am petite and wouldn’t be able to maneuver a 28’“ bag, especially picking it up from the baggage carousel. I use compression bags extensively. https://www.amazon.com/Hibag-Compression-12-Pack-Suitcase-12-Travel/dp/B07PLHBVZQ?th=1
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True, but scaling down from a 28” bag to a 25” bag will still likely have the same contents. Looks like Luftansa allows 50#, and up to 70# for an upcharge.
I flew Lufthansa from the U.S. to Europe as a complete “newbie” to international travel. I never researched bag size and didn’t have to fit any bags into sizers. I carried on a CalPak Luka duffel and a small wheeled carry on. I checked my large bag. Flew back on Lufthansa with the same bags. Maybe I got lucky.
The checked bag I have is this one. The compartment is 25” but with the wheels its 27”, but it meets airline guidelines (total 62”) 25 Inch Suitcase - Medium Check-In Spinner | Travelpro Maxlite 5
Its pretty light too.
That is my medium size bag. This is a 3 week fall (cool-cold) trip with no ship self laundry. May do some in a town or have the ship do a few pieces but my set is 28/25/20 interior dimensions. I wanted to take 2 carry on (had to purchase 2 new ones), 1 medium (it works), and 1 large (will not work) I will have to buy another (or borrow from neighbor) medium since none of the large seem to work. As you can tell, just a bit frustrated with this airline when apparently no others seem to measure them to the strictness of Lufthansa, including checked baggage.
My take on Lufthansa is that Germans are rule followers. Why have a rule if you don’t follow it? 
I’m married to a rule following man of German heritage!
We are flying Lufthansa for our cruise in November.
I find that with packing cubes my 24” suitcase weighs close to #50. I do have a 28”, I think I’m unlikely to use it. The last time we flew to Europe, the 28 was just so large and got so heavy. I went out at the last minute and bought another 24” so I’ve never actually used the 28”. I should get rid of it, today I got it out and the zipper seems to be broken. Great for a bag I’ve never actually used! 
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I like that bag! I know that hard sided bags are trendy but I like a soft sided bag.
I had a carry on travel pro like that one. When I flew out to my daughter’s in the spring, the wheels decided not to work. I got 15 good years out of that bag
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I have the Travelpro carry on and its great. BUT I won’t be taking it on the plane for my international trip. I have a Swiss gear bag that’s smaller and easier to handle, and holds enough. And my personal item is a very small duffle. DH and I will check one 24 inch suitcase. If we need more space, we will probably check my Travelpro carry on.
We are very light packers…plus will have access to laundry facilities all the time we are gone.
Samsonite makes some very light carry-ons but they are not sold in the US. 3 years ago, I bought a Samsonite D’lite carryon in Vienna that weighs less than 5lbs. Perhaps when you are in Europe, you can look into those. They have a new model called Re-lite, but it looks exactly like my D’lite.
Outside the US, carry-on limits like 7kg are common, so having a bag that consumes much of that limit when empty is not a good choice.
In the US, carry-on weight limits are not so common.
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That is my medium size bag. This is a 3 week fall (cool-cold) trip with no ship self laundry and may do some in a town or have the ship do a few pieces but my set is 28/25/20 interior dimensions. I wanted to take 2 carry on (had to purchase 2 new ones), 1 medium (it works), and 1 large (will have to buy another (or borrow from neighbor) medium since none of the large seem to work.
None of the issues I’m having with bags is related to weight, that I can control. It’s dimensions and Lufthansa measures them including wheels and handle (down) and if it is oversize you have to change it out or pay the overage (it is expensive).
I can tell you from experience that Air France, KLM, Swiss and SAS are all just as strict on baggage size and weight. The only European airline I can think of that isn’t as strict is British Airways.
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They weighed my carry-on at Asian Airlines as well. I was never concerned about the size of my suitcase since my largest is 24”.
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One thing I do when traveling in the cold weather months is to pack lightweight base layers (very thin short and long sleeve shirts, as well as bottom layers depending on temps) that are easily washed and dry overnight even using a sink to wash. That allows me to get more wears out of sweaters and heavier layers without having to wash those as often.
I’m a huge proponent of a capsule wardrobe when traveling. Everything complementing one another so I have maximum flexibility in minimum packing. Also swear by Breezio laundry sheets. Lightweight, easy to pack and clean clothes really well.
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