I spend, as I’m sure a majority of Square Mile readers do, a significant amount of time travelling. Whether it’s part of an assignment or simply because I want to be, I’m away from home at least twice a month, sometimes more.
I’ve learnt many things in the course of those travels, but few have made more of a difference to the experience – especially in airports – than the realisation that your appearance when travelling matters.
Show a little sartorial respect to the journey and airline staff show a little more back; networks can be built in lounges when you have raised the bar from tracksuit bottoms and neck pillows – and don’t get me started on the number of times you bump into a client.
I’m not advocating full formal wear for overnight long haul, but putting the same effort into your travelling aesthetic as you do to every other style aspect of your life will pay dividends, and this doesn’t just mean your clothes – it’s your luggage as well.
Excellent luggage covers two bases – it looks good and it functions well. If it’s beautiful but nothing fits, it’s wrong; if it has pockets for every eventuality but looks raggedy and chaotic it’s just as bad. Luggage should be discreet, sturdy, and elegant: when it is the impression given of the user is that of a seasoned traveller; a cosmopolitan globetrotter who should of course be entrusted to handle that new contract, or take that last available upgrade spot.
Here, then, are the brands you should look out for when investing in your next piece of luggage.
Suitcases
Rimowa
When it comes to style it’s difficult to look past aluminium luggage, and Rimowa are the masters of the genre.
More than 100 years ago, it launched its first range of aluminium trunks, with the now-iconic groves being added in the 1950s.
Nowadays not much has changed in the style, save for technological upgrades having been made over the years to things like the wheels and telescopic handle, but the general aesthetic of the modern version is pretty true to the original.
New colourways like Emerald Green add a contemporary twist, but the classic silver is pretty much unbeatable. It should always be noted that aluminium luggage will always take a beating sooner or later on your travels – especially when checked in to the care of airport baggage handlers – but these should be seen as badges of honour to wear with pride, not something to lament.
The dents and scratches will only add to the mystique of your ‘global vagabond’ appeal.
Rimowa Original range from £1,070 for cabin size at rimowa.com
Globe-Trotter
Another brand which has been making iconic luggage for more than 100 years is England’s own Globe-Trotter. The extraordinary qualities of Vulcanised Fibreboard were first used by the company in 1897, and the style of its luggage has not changed since then.
Don’t be fooled by the lightweight of the case, it’s actually remarkably strong and secure, and the elegant leather detailing and contrast corners give a retro look which will certainly catch eyes.
Globe-Trotter has established partnerships over the years with many other luxury brands, with names from Gucci to Aston Martin appearing on exclusive versions of its luggage, and while it has kept up with tastes and trends through these collaborations and by experimenting with colours, the core aesthetic remains true to what its founder first created and what has over the years been carried by Churchill, Bond, and The Queen (though she probably had someone do the actual carrying for her).
If you want to combine heritage English appearance with supreme performance then this is the brand for you.
Globe-Trotter Original range from £1,195 at globe-trotter.com or at its home in Burlington Arcade.
Carl Friedrik
You may recognise Carl Friedrik luggage as having been wheeled around by the characters on Succession. The brand is a comparative youngster next to the others on this list but has already cemented itself as a firm favourite amongst stylish travellers thanks to the sleek look of its polycarbonate shells.
The trademark leather accents make the brand’s work instantly recognisable – which will help on the luggage carousel when checking items in – and that shell will resist showing the miles you take it on far more than an aluminium piece.
The telescopic handle ratchets to the exact height you want it to, making it extra comfortable to steer through a terminal, and the addition of a cream colourway allows you to stand out from all the other boring navy and black cases out there.
One for the modern traveller – or legacy media tycoon.
Carl Friedrik Core range from £325 at carlfriedrik.com or at their Regent Street flagship.
Antler
I was recently on a press trip with another journalist whose hand luggage I admired in the airport – she informed me it was from Antler, and was the best she’d ever owned.
Coming from someone who essentially travels for a living that was high praise indeed. Its Icon Stripe was the case in question – the polycarbonate shell made it lightweight but sturdy, the wheels put up with a decent amount of punishment from the dodgy terrain in the country we were visiting (and, she informed me, many others like it), and the interior used intelligent compression strap systems to help squeeze an extra day or so of packing into a relatively small suitcase.
So small, in fact, you’ll be able to easily deal with even the most slender of airline cabin restrictions.
Antler Icon Strip hand luggage from £175 at antler.co.uk.
Bags
Of course, suitcases aren’t the only form of luggage the stylish traveller should consider. A good hand-held bag, made of quality material and employing an intelligent use of space, can pair with cabin-sized cases to remove the need for checked bags, and some can even do the whole trip on their own.
Aspinal of London
Boston Duffle Travel Bag
A solid leather weekend bag should be in the arsenal of most travellers. The best ones are rugged, discreet, and roomy enough to take care of a two-to-four day trip with ease, depending on your plans when you get there.
The Boston Duffle by Aspinal of London is a fine example of the style, with elegant-yet-durable black pebble leather, luxurious silk lining, and a comfortable handle.
Probably the best endorsement I can give it is that I use one myself – I’ve taken it all over the world in the past eight years or so and can confirm it fits under the seat on most airlines (even the budget ones – don’t let them bully you into checking it), has space inside for plenty of outfit options for long weekends, and is tough enough to still look great after several years of pretty rough treatment by a somewhat clumsy owner.
Quite possibly best-in-class.
Aspinal Boston Duffle Travel Bag from £795 at aspinaloflondon.com.
Arterton
Briefcase
The genius of the Arterton Briefcase lies in the identification of two annoying-but-often-overlooked problems and the simplicity with which it solves them.
Carrying a briefcase while rolling your luggage can be cumbersome – the briefcase has a subtle leather band around it which will slip over any luggage handle and secure it in place, keeping your hands free for passport checks and cab-hailing.
The bellow pockets on the opposite side will expand to fit more bulky items but lay flat to maintain the smart silhouette when not in use, but what lies behind them is even more useful – an external compartment through which you can slide an umbrella – dry or wet – without dampening the contents of the bag and again keeping your hands free.
The material used is a hard-wearing canvas, with soft leather used for the handles and embellishments, and the main compartment will fit all the equipment you need (laptop, chargers, etc.) to remain connected while on the move.
Arterton Briefcase from £870 at arterton.co.uk or from their Princes Arcade showroom.
Bennett Winch
Trifold
At first glance this may look like a simple suit carrier, but it’s actually much more.
The Bennett Winch Trifold has been created to enable suits to be packed in a way which does not result in them being shockingly creased on arrival (hanging them in the hotel bathroom with the shower on to ‘steam’ them does not work) by gently rolling the suits inside as opposed to folding them.
The internal hanger hook allows for a comfortable carry using a dedicated handle or shoulder strap, instead of just the hook from the hanger poking out the top, and a slip pouch at the back also allows the Trifold to slot neatly onto the telescopic handle of your main luggage.
There’s a small pocket for electronics and documents to make the airport journey easier, and the nylon construction of the outer layer will even keep your suits dry if you get caught in a downpour.
This may well be essential kit for the business traveller.
Bennett Winch Trifold from £750 at bennettwinch.com or at their Savile Row base.
Grams(28)
Leather Backpack
Everything designed by Grams(28) is intended to look after the essential technology we all now carry while travelling, and look good doing it.
Its Stealth Backpack comes in a gorgeous Italian black pebble leather, meaning it looks ultra-sharp, but the wonder of this piece is in the extraordinary attention to detail inside.
At the back is a separate slot to keep a 16-inch laptop, making it accessible for security checks and in-lounge working; the main compartment is customisable using removable dividers so your camera equipment and other technology can be secured no matter what their size or shape.
Internal pockets in this front section are lined with microfibre, in case you happen to be carrying gear which is susceptible to scratching, and there’s a hidden pocket behind the straps to secure your passport and other valuables.
This is one for the travelling tech-head.
Grams(28) Stealth Backpack from £799 at grams28.com
