From the plain jet black pick to the logomaniac Symbole patterned number, the handful of suitcases we’ve selected from Prada’s online shelves cater to the needs of departure lounge wallflowers to Insta-focused travellers alike. Whatever your airport aesthetic, we’ve got you covered.
Best luggage brands for style
There’s something about leather luggage that presents superior luxury. Our top choice for a high-quality range of beautifully crafted bags is Harber London, perhaps the most sophisticated top-end bags around. It’s giving James Dean on the back of a Triumph motorbike, heading along the French Riviera, right? A reasonably new player in the international luggage game, Harber was created in 2012 to provide commuters with deluxe leather laptop sleeves, and after more than a decade, it now makes some of our favourite weekend bags, commuter rucksacks and accessories.
Each item on Harber’s website is lovingly hand-crafted in Spain using 100 per cent full-grain leather, highlighting the dedication to the drip that the brand maintains. And while many products in the roster, like the gorgeous roll top backpack, are completely leather (aside from the military-grade buckles), others incorporate durable, water-resistant fabrics to make it significantly more robust. The brand gives you a year warranty as standard and ships worldwide.
One of the most imperious luggage makers in the game, Rimowa has been cruising to sunnier climes since 1898, and really hit its stride a century ago by creating the world’s first aluminium suitcase way back in 1930. Although it’s also moved into polycarbonate wares of late, the Cologne-based brand has seen its status elevated via several hypey collaborations with the likes of Supreme, Off-White and Anti Social Social Club. In other words, it’s followed exactly the new luxury same playbook as its LMVH stablemates in Fendi, Givenchy and, of course, Louis Vuitton.
There’s no better place to start with Rimowa than its Original Check-In suitcase, if only because it’s one of the most desirable pieces of luggage in existence. For those in need of something a little more understated, its Essential Cabin and Essential Sleeve Cabin Plus (with an external laptop sleeve, naturally) are both as sturdy as they are suave.
In what might be the most bizarre origin story for a company name, Tumi’s moniker comes from a type of Peruvian ceremonial knife used in the sacrifices of ancient South American rituals. Every day’s a school day, right? In modern times, it’s become a world-class luxe luggage brand beloved by pan-European flight hoppers and high-end holidaymakers alike.
Tumi’s 19 Degree Aluminum carry-on suitcase is the style-centric luggage pick that ensures turned heads at baggage claim. Famous hands that have grasped the handle include Renee Rapp and Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min. The immediate appeal is obvious: a vibrant, silver-hued, smart case that’s set apart from its competition by its sturdy, streamlined silhouette and rippled outer shell.
Paravel
Sustainability should always factor in when travelling. While you can’t help but contribute to greenhouse gases if you fly, getting around the world with some luggage that mitigates at least a little bit of the burden on Mother Earth is a good start, which is why we love Paravel’s carbon-neutral range. Every piece of luggage from the brand is sustainably made, whether utilising recycled plastic bottles or ensuring the delivery of your product impacts the world as little as possible. Impressive, no doubt, but the bags themselves are actually pretty handsome in their own right, offering plenty of versatility for your travels. We love the Main Line Duffel, which is a smart, sophisticated shoulder bag complete with a wealth of internal pockets and a suitable level of stylish class for any jet-setter.
Away
How could we collate a rundown of the best brands to wield as you swan through the airport without including Away? A brand close to our hearts, the New York travel company has an exceptional list of suitcases, carry-on and backpacks to get you through your next journey in style. Why? Because each bag is expertly crafted and comes in a range of beautiful pastel colours that are subtle, sophisticated and still enough to grab the attention of your check-in agent.
