Luxury check in luggage shopping by penshop.co.uk: What started out as a war orphan’s one-man bridle and harness-making shop now produces some of the world’s most sought-after designer handbags, led by the Birkin. The high price tags and strong resale value make them the top handbag investment piece. The exclusive nature and timeless designs have helped cement Hermès bags are some of the most covetable designs available today. The Kelly: Designed as a luxury handbag and designated ‘for the princesses of the world’, and named after a real-life princess and owner, Grace of Monaco (née Grace Kelly). The Constance: The perfect everyday shoulder bag, the Hermès Constance is an ideal, compact choice. Read extra info at https://www.penshop.co.uk/pens/leather-bags.
The PenShop team has tested more than 650 pieces of luggage in our New York City testing lab, including carry-on bags and larger checked suitcases. To evaluate performance, each model was packed up, rolled around through an obstacle course to see how smooth the wheels rolled, whacked with a baseball bat to see how easily it dented, shoved off a table to test durability, and hoisted into overhead compartments to check portability (for carry-ons only). We paid special attention to details like organizational features, weight, handle heights, and whether the bags sustained any damage or wear and tear. For this roundup, we hand-selected our favorite luxury luggage pieces that performed well during testing, and we continue to use each winning bag in real-life travels for an ongoing testing period of at least six months. We will also update this article as we test more luxury bags worth recommending.
Many may be names you are already familiar with; forever staples from Chanel, Gucci and Dior, but you will also find new styles from heritage brands, alongside new names to know in the world of designer handbags, in this round-up. These are the accessories that are actually worth investing in, whether you are treating yourself or looking for a very special gift, in the market for an evening bag or are after a tote that’s perfect for the office. These are designer names you can trust. We love this small Kaia bag from YSL, which is sure to become a treasured piece in your wardrobe. It feels as classic as they come. It’s not difficult to see why Dior’s Saddle bag remains so popular: the style – which first appeared on the catwalk in 1999, became an ‘It’ bag in the Noughties, and has been a staple ever since – is the perfect way to elevate any day or night ensemble.
If you ask us, the Bric’s Positano Check-in is the perfect medium-size suitcase to check. We effortlessly fit everything on our list with room to spare and didn’t even need to use the expander, which adds 1.6 inches to the depth. And since it’s only 8 pounds when empty, you shouldn’t have much trouble staying under the 50-pound weight limit to avoid an additional fee for checked baggage. The hardside shell has a flexible feel with some extra give that bounced back during our durability tests, it didn’t sustain any dents, and it comes with a luggage cover. It’s backed by a limited lifetime warranty, too. Though more pockets would be nice, this suitcase has some convenient organizational features. We liked how the zippered compartment kept everything contained, while the buckled panel divider secured our belongings on the other side. There’s also a garment hook for hanging a suit or dress. The suitcase comes in four greenish/blue colors inspired by the Italian coast, though that may not fit the tastes of some travelers who prefer a more neutral bag color.
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.