The edit • January 2017
Six cases that will stand out on the baggage carousel
Luggage is one of the most important purchases you’ll make for any trip: it needs to be practical and robust, but should also be stylish. Grace Cook, fashion assistant at the Financial Times, picks the cases guaranteed to make an impression at the airport
Best for… flashpackers
Forget the 60-litre rucksack, La Portegna’s Benson Holdall (£400) is the ultimate companion for grown-up backpackers. It’s robust and roomy, and the waterproof canvas bag packs flat to take up minimal space. Created to keep shirts crease-free, it has internal compartments and the clever flap opening makes everything accessible. It can also be monogrammed – the ultimate symbol of carousel envy.
Best for… luxury lovers
Lined with a striking print, the House of Hackney Globe-Trotter Palmeral Suitcase (£1,255) comes in fun colours, including Air Force blue, orange and cream. For ease of use, it also has wheels, extendable trolley handles and elegant, buckle-fastening straps. It may seem pricey, but this is a real investment piece: it takes 10 days to handcraft in Hertfordshire, England.
Best for… frequent flyers in training
Samsonite’s luggage is renowned for being lightweight and manoeuvrable, and this Minnie Mouse Disney Ultimate case (from £99), with its 360-degree wheel mechanism, means even the smallest of tots can pull it along. There’s a plethora of characters to choose from, including Minnie Mouse and Darth Vader, and each range comes in an array of sizes.
Best for… weekend warriors
Large enough to carry all your weekend must-haves, but small enough to fit in the overhead locker, the unisex Anderson Tote from Aspinal (£595) is perfect for either hand or hold. It comes with handles and a strap for ease of wear, and the outer and inner compartments ensure tech and toiletries are kept separate. The tote also looks less like luggage than most travel bags do, so can be incorporated into your daytime work wardrobe.
Best for… business travellers
The super-slick, lightweight design of the A28 Suitcase from Raden ($395) looks straight out of the space age, with a charging USB port next to the trolley handle. The ergonomic handle also connects to your smartphone to act as a weight indicator, ensuring you never go over your luggage allowance. The most sophisticated case on the market.
Best for… day trippers
Canadian brand Want Les Essentiels has created the perfect plane bag, the Hartsfield Holdall (£330). Understated in design, this simple black tote – made from durable canvas and with a zip fastening – can fit in as much or as little as you like. A detachable shoulder strap is useful for freeing up hands when boarding, while the internal pockets ensure travel documents and tech are easily accessible. Its ability to double up as a stylish gym bag when you’re back home is a bonus.
This article has been tagged Fashion + Style, Travel Tips