Leather messenger bags shop from Penshop UK: Prada’s story began with two brothers: Mario and Martino Prada. The house was founded in 1913 as a leather goods shop. Today, Prada is recognized worldwide for its sleek and contemporary designs. Prada Galleria Bag: Made from Prada’s signature Saffiano leather. Prada Re-Edition Bag: The signature Nylon bags, launched in the late ’80s but synonymous with ‘90s fashion. Yves Saint-Laurent founded his eponymous Parisian label in 1961. Saint Laurent is credited with making ready-to-wear fashion in vogue. Loulou Bag: Boasting chevron quilting, this bag is a marriage of a sleek details with a laid-back silhouette. Christian Dior founded his namesake Parisian brand in 1946, with a desire to return beauty and joy to women after the solemn era of WWII. The brand continues to deliver exquisite style to this day. Find additional info at https://www.penshop.co.uk/pens/luxury-luggage/luxury-check-in-luggage.
This trunk-style suitcase from Carl Friedrik is slightly taller and narrower than most checked luggage. While the Hartmann Reserve Trunk has a 50/50 partition, this one has an 80/20 divide, which is great for irregularly shaped or bulky items that wouldn’t necessarily fit in a regular suitcase. We found it impressively spacious, fitting all items on our packing list with room to spare, so it would also be perfect for a long-haul trip. We appreciated all the organizational features, including the collapsible dividers, zippered compartments, and compression straps. It comes with three removable packing cubes, too. It has three latches to close it instead of zippers, which add a sleek look. While this trunk is somewhat heavy when empty, it’s not cumbersome or bulky. That said, we thought it was easier to maneuver on two wheels than four when we rolled it straight up beside us rather than pulling it behind us. The handle only had one height, likely due to the height of the trunk, and it did stick when we pushed it almost all the way down, though we still think it felt sturdy enough to support the bag. All things considered, we think this suitcase would be ideal for longer trips on account of the spacious capacity and packability.
How do I choose a designer bag? If you are thinking of splurging on a new designer bag, then it is definitely worth considering a style that will stand the test of time, rather than just a one-season wonder that will eventually end up gathering dust at the back of your wardrobe. For this, the best option is either to look to the classics – some of which may have had a modern makeover, but are still very much trend-free – or to snap up designs that have an endless elegance about them (think timeless colours, seasonless silhouettes and trusty fabrics). When it comes to affordable designer handbags, APC is a great name to know. The label’s Half Moon bag is a real classic, but we also love this Grace style, which is perfect for day-to-day use.
One side of the trunk has three built-in dividers that you can snap into place or remove if you are carrying something large and would prefer one big, open cabin. After using the compartments to organize your clothing, you can zip that half of the suitcase shut, and use the two large, waterproof pockets on the divider for smaller items or toiletries. We loved how you can fit the included packing cubes into the jumbo pouch, and then buckle them in with the leather straps so that nothing inside can shift around during transit — it’s all locked into place inside the spacious trunk. During our long-term testing period after our initial lab test, we took this suitcase on a 10-day trip to South Korea with more than enough space for shopping trips and gifts for family and friends. After checking the bag, we found a small dent on one of the corners and the decorative leather trim cracked a little, but neither affected luggage performance.
Clocking in at under $300, the Calpak Ambeur Medium is a relatively affordable suitcase with high-quality features: It expands up to two inches for extra packing room, for example, and has easy-to-maneuver dual spinner wheels. One of our testers notes, “It’s super lightweight and so roomy, and as a chronic over-packer, I never have an issue fitting everything I need.” There are also four zippered interior compartments (although no exterior pockets), plus a cross compression strap to make sure belongings remain in place, even when transported over bumpy cobblestone streets. “It has a compact design and wheels effortlessly, so I never feel like I’m lugging an enormous bag through the airport,” she adds. Of the suitcases on this list, the Ambeur Medium features some of the most comfortable grip handles made with a rubber lining that won’t hurt your hands as you’re lugging heavy baggage around town.