There’s more to travelling in style than just aesthetics. Good luggage has to perform as well: it should make our journey easier by allowing us to carry things in a way which makes sense, uses available space intelligently, and allows quick access to essentials throughout the journey. Many brands focus too hard on pretty exterior and fall short on the interior, the part we actually use.
Luckily, there are some who consider the everyday practicality of their designs just as much as the sporadic Instagram-ability. Here we present 4 British brands just as invested in use as in looks, with hard-wearing, great-looking luggage for just about every occasion. Each represents a solid investment in stylish travel for years to come.
Carl Friedrik Aluminium Check In
The Aluminium Check-In by Carl Friedrik
From the outside, these cases by design-led luggage specialist Carl Friedrik look every inch the sleek, retro-inspired aluminium luggage we all want to be seen wheeling through the airport.
The grooves along the body and thick, riveted corners are genuinely iconic; the contrast tone soft leather accents create visual interest which sets yours apart from all the others on the carousel. But it’s on the inside that the considered details make the difference: a built-in compression system helps to maximise the usability of the space while zip pockets keep smaller items neatly separated.
The tonal lining and use of brushed aluminium for the compression clip means the inner looks as good as the outer, but it’s the usability which makes packing and unpacking a breeze. This is already a contemporary classic.
£795 at carlfriedrik.com
The Globetrotter Restoration Edit
The Restoration Edit by Globetrotter
The design of these cases hasn’t really changed much for more than 100 years, which is impressive in itself, but Globetrotter’s recent commitment to restoring their older works underlines the sheer durability of the style. Each piece has been carefully repaired and renewed and is now presented with new interior lining and exterior detailing.
The signature Vulcanised Fibreboard which makes them so hard-wearing is still central to both the contemporary and Restored collections, along with the wonderfully vintage thick leather belting wrapped around the body to add extra security.
The combination of strength and lightness is extraordinary, and if you’re a fan of a more refined era of travel, these cases will fit right in with you. Truly great design should, and in this case clearly does, last a lifetime.
From £1,095 at globetrotter.com
Bennett Winch The Supply Tote
The Supply Tote by Bennett Winch
Most of us use a tote bag on a regular basis. Most of them are basically just one big space which our stuff rattles around in, not too well protected from the elements and a bit of a nightmare to find quickly when needed. Bennett Winch have applied some thought and common sense to theirs, reshaping the interior of an almost ubiquitous everyday bag to improve the usability enormously.
The nylon construction makes it tough, and light; there’s a dedicated bottle sleeve to keep your beverage for the day upright and close to hand. A waterproof packet to one side keeps your phone and keys and wallet safe and dry, but grabbable in an instant, and a removable waterproof zip pouch allows you to separate wet gear from dry if needed. We all have a drawer full of random totes at home; now we can have one which is genuinely functional.
£495 at bennettwinch.com
The Arterton Briefcase
The Briefcase by Arterton
Life in The City has changed a lot over the years, but there’s still plenty of call for a daily briefcase. The Arterton version goes beyond the simple ‘bag-for-your-documents’ though, with clever additions to the main central compartment.
Construction is in cotton canvas with leather accents, meaning the bag is lighter than a traditional full-leather version but retains the soft hand-feel of leather handles. Canvas bellow pockets on one side expand to store extra items as needed before flattening again when not in use, and also hide a discreet pass-through compartment to carry a wet umbrella without putting it in the bag.
Pouches and zip pockets inside once again keep small items easily and a clever leather band around the back acts to secure it over the handles of any rolling suitcase when used for travel. As with all the pieces here, little touches make a huge difference.
£890 at arterton.co.uk
