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Moreso than any of the items you’ll pack for your holiday, your suitcase is here to stay. To travel smart is to select a case from one of the best luggage brands—because a well-made, thoughtfully designed case can last you for decades. I’ve seen Rimowa’s passed down several generations, and they seem to get even better with age—dings, stickers, and all.
Investing in quality luggage only makes getting there all the better. A lightweight steel case might mean you can pack a bit extra and avoid an overweight baggage fee. An eye-catching rollaboard from Calpak in a cheerful color will ensure no one else mistakes their luggage for yours. The nostalgic set, meanwhile, will delight in leather-trimmed cases from Steamline, Globe-Trotter, and T Anthony; you may be boarding a plane, but your case will transport you right to the Orient Express. If you’re traveling in some fashion that doesn’t require a TSA Agent to handle your luggage, why not opt for an extra-luxe option? Louis Vuitton and Gucci both make some lovely sets worthy of the private jet on which you may or may not be flying. Shop Vogue’s edit of the best luggage brands below.
The Best Luggage Brands, According to Vogue:
Co-founded by Indré Rockefeller (a Vogue alumni) and Andy Krantz in 2016, Paravel is one of the few luggage brands that is as stylish as it is sustainable. Take, for example, its Aviator case—its shell is made of a recycled polycarbonate material, the lining is woven with fibers sourced from recycled plastic water bottles, the handle is composed of recycled aircraft-grade aluminum, and it all zips together with a recycled zipper. In addition to luggage, look to the brand for Dopp kits, packing cubes, and all variety of travel accessories inspired by Rockefeller and Krantz’s jet-set habits.
If you’re looking for heritage, quality, and craftsmanship, Rimowa is the brand for you. Founded in 1898 in Cologne, Germany, the label is now helmed by Alexandre Arnault after joining LVMH in 2017. With cases crafted almost entirely of lightweight but sturdy aluminum and a patented multi-wheel system, Rimowa caters to the no-nonsense traveler looking for slick functionality. And as of late, the company is finding ways to infuse a bit of fashion into its heritage designs; recent collaborations include Off-White, Supreme, Daniel Arsham, and Dior, and most recently, Rimowa released a collection of translucent, dayglo polycarbonate cases dubbed the Neon collection.
Though Away has only been around for seven years, the New York-based brand has left its mark on the world—just visit any airport to see for yourself. Though Away was initially founded on its luggage’s ability to recharge your iPhones, the brand has expanded into a full range of suitcases—batteries not always included! You really can’t go wrong with any of the products offered by this direct-to-consumer brand which names everything in the most helpful of ways: The Carry-On, The Bigger Carry-On, etc.
Even fans of the brand might not realize that Béis has a starry founder—actor Shay Mitchell launched the brand in 2018 with the goal of making travel products that hit the shopping sweet spot of ultra-chic and affordable. Beloved for the tan and beige offerings of neutral PolyCarbonate hard case rollaboards, Béis appeals to minimalists, but it also doesn’t leave lovers of color behind–the main hardcase rollaboard is also offered in citron green, clementine orange hues, and more. Best of all, each piece comes with a lifetime warranty.
Globe-Trotter may look as though its riffing off of old-fashion luggage wares, but really, its dipping into its own archive for design inspiration. Founded in Germany in 1897, the company eventually moved to the U.K. in 1932, where its been producing leather-based luggage for almost a century. Everything is produced by hand, and famous Globe-Trotter owners include Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth.
Founded in Los Angeles in 1989, Calpak sets itself apart with stylish luggage at a great price point. Known for slick hard-case bags, Calpak’s designs have a playfulness to them. In 2016, the brand offered an assortment of faux-marble luggage and it’s also collaborated with hairstylist Jen Atkin on a lovely case in the perfect shade of red—great for spotting on the baggage carousel.
Before Nicolas Ghesquière, and way before Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton was a maker of travel trunks. In 1854, Mr. Louis Vuitton had the novel idea to make travel trunks flat and rectangular (previously, they featured rounded tops) so that they could be easily stacked—the rest is history. Anyone who has caught Vuitton’s roving exhibitions dedicated to travel, Volez, Voyagez, Voguez, knows the extent of the maison’s dedication to the art of travel. Today, the brand continues to craft some of the finest pieces of luggage. Most often, these bags are splashed in Vuitton’s monogrammed or Damier Ebene canvas textiles.
Born in 2005, Steamline luggage was founded on nostalgia for the bygone heyday of travel. Think safari-ready leather travel trunks but with all the bells and whistles of a modern-day case. Its range of luggage includes vintage-esque rollaboards and a lovely collection of hat-box-shaped cross-bodies and cosmetics cases.
Named after Peru’s national symbol (a ceremonial, decorative knife), Tumi was founded in New Jersey in 1975. Since, the brand has prided itself on technology-first design, most notably their black ballistic nylon travel bags. Durability and functionality are at the core of their design principles, and the company caters to all your travel needs.
Little has changed about the way Bric’s crafts its signature leather collections since the company was founded in 1952 by Mario Briccola. Today, the leather goods are still produced at family-run factories in Como. Even the label’s hard polycarbonate cases feature leather trim details to honor Bric’s artisanal heritage.
Most all of July, an Australian-based brand, is customizable. Bubble leathers and bold-colored graphic monograms can help to set your case apart from your fellow passengers. Plus, this brand is perfect for those carry-on-only packers who want to get the most out of their single bag; July touts its latest release as being the lightest carry-on on the market.
Created by one of the founders of Tumi, Roam is a brand of luggage that cares about the personality of travelers. Most all of its products are customizable with the ability to mix and match colors—why pick just one? Plus, all of Roam’s luggage is made in the U.S.
There’s a photo of Marilyn Monroe boarding an airplane and looking the picture of jet-set glamour. In her hand is a case by T Anthony, and it’s the brand’s heritage that keeps its loyal customers coming back. Since its founding in 1948, the iconic New York luggage maker has prided itself on its ethically and responsibly designed wares.
For those travelers headed to destinations more rugged than a resort, L.L. Bean has got you covered. From ski-friendly bags to waterproof duffles, the label offers a range of function-first luggage.
Need a place to store your laptop while you’re in the tundra? Consider a bag from Patagonia’s Black Hole collection, which bill itself as stubbornly tough and weatherproof. These and more nature-proof items can be found within Patagonia’s range of outdoorsy luggage.
The nostalgic set who don’t want to carry leather-strapped hatboxes might find what they’re looking for in Floyd, a brand dedicated to skateboarding and Venice Beach culture of the 1970s. Founded in 1996 by two Munich-based creatives, the brand aims to bring the groove back to flying, or so they say on their website. Retro-hued lightweight, impact-resistant Makrolon polycarbonate cases can be paired with interchangeable skate-board-inspired wheels. Inside, multiple interior compartments ensure there’s a place for everything and each piece of luggage comes with a nylon dust bag that doubles as a laundry bag.
Having just launched a new campaign starring Bad Bunny and Kendall Jenner, Gucci’s signature monogramming meets its timeless silhouettes for an iconic luggage collection. For polished and poised travel, the Savoy line incorporates heritage-infused design elements to evoke a nostalgic elegance.
Personalize your luggage with Mark & Graham, a brand practically synonymous with monogramming. Between the lightweight design and leather detailing, careful craftsmanship has gone into ensuring these bags stand the test of time. But in case they don’t, they come with a limited lifetime warranty, so you can grow old with your luggage.