The Times: The best luxury luggage to buy now

The rule of thumb with luggage is that it should be as fancy as the trip you’re planning — whether you’re jetting off for some sun, heading to a new city, or getting away for a weekend staycation.

• All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue

That’s bad news for the battered backpack that never quite recovered from those years of youthful adventure, and the faithful suitcase that lost a wheel somewhere en route. But it’s good news for luxury cases by the likes of Globe-Trotter and Gucci, which have been crafting luggage for over 100 years, and by newer names including German-engineered Horizn Studios and quiet luxury luggage label Carl Friedrik. 

For those with a taste for the extraordinary, vintage Louis Vuitton trunks remain the ultimate collector’s item, with some fetching more than £200,000. One notable example, a polka dot collaboration with the celebrated Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, sold for £204,600 in December 2023.

If you’re after luxury luggage on a level with your five-star holiday, you’ve come to the right place.

Best hard-shell suitcases

FPM Milano bank light spinner 53 front pocket cabin suitcase

FPM is the Ferrari of the luggage world. Like the legendary sports car, the Italian brand prides itself on craftsmanship and expertise. While the chunky designs, with their oversized butterfly clasps and luxurious leather handles, take their inspiration from traditional trunks, high-tech upgrades such as reinforced corners and slot pockets add a modern edge.

Floyd check-in suitcase

Founded by Germans Bernd Georgi and Horst Kern, Floyd suitcases add a flash of colour to the baggage carousel. Available in an array of bold shades inspired by the bohemian culture of 1970s Venice Beach, the signature hard-shell suitcases all feature the polyurethane wheels found on skateboards for a smooth and silent airport experience.

Bottega Veneta Odyssey cabin suitcase

The Bottega Veneta Odyssey cabin case might look robust and weighty, but the polycarbonate design is actually surprisingly light. It’s also utterly distinctive, with Bottega’s signature 3D Intreccio design reimagined as a woven pattern across the whole body of the case.

Horizn Studios H5 essential Wura edition

Anything but a boring old suitcase, the H5 Essential Wura is a limited edition of 100 pieces from latest luggage brand Horizn Studios — known for its German-engineered lightweight cases — and the Nigerian-American artist Wura-Natasha Ogunji. Each case features a beautiful hand-painted figure inspired by life in the colourful and vibrant city of Lagos, where Ogunji currently resides. All proceeds go to the Rolling Safespace charity, which offers sanctuary to women fleeing unsafe environments.

Best carry-on suitcases

Carl Friedrik The Carry On X

The hard-shell front pocket with a sleeve for your laptop and travel documents is just one practical feature of this aluminium case from London-based Carl Fredrick: it can also fit up to five days’ worth of essentials inside and has a lock closure and 360-degree spinner wheels for ease of movement. The new dark olive and chocolate colourway also wins serious style points, however, and can be matched with additional hand luggage from the brand’s bestselling Sonder collection, which includes a versatile backpack, a suave briefcase and a sporty holdall

Gucci Porter cabin plus trolley (Made by FPM Milano)

For anyone used to soft-shell suitcases, a hard-sided trolley like Gucci’s chic aluminium iteration made my FPM Milano will be a game changer, protecting your things through many, many trips. With subtle details like the tonal GG motif and signature Ancora red leather handles, it’s also unmistakably Gucci.

Rimowa original cabin

Made in Cologne, Germany, since 1898, Rimowa’s iconic luggage is instantly recognisable today thanks to its silver finish and signature grooves. This anodised aluminum cabin case features Rimowa’s patented multi-wheel system, as well as security locks and internal dividers to keep your precious possessions organised. Yes, it’s an investment, but it will last decades and only look better with age.

Dior and Rimowa carry-on case

Already sold on Rimowa’s iconic suitcases? Allow us to tempt you further with this limited-edition collaboration with Dior. In 2019, Kim Jones, the artistic director of Dior’s menswear, unveiled a bespoke collection featuring the Rimowa Original Cabin and Trunk showcasing Dior’s Oblique design and signature motif. Just don’t expect to see this objet d’art on the baggage carousel.

Anya Hindmarch short-haul suitcase

You can count on Anya Hindmarch to take a playful approach to the most mundane of items, and that includes the humble cabin suitcase. With its spacious external pockets — each handily labelled for technology, cables and liquids — this hyper-organised model will make negotiating security queues at airports a doddle. The same level of meticulous organisation continues inside, with designated slots for first aid, laundry, clothes and accessories. In a way, the case acts as your own personal packer, ensuring you fill all the pockets and never forget anything again.

Louis Vuitton horizon 55 suitcase

This exquisite case from luxury luggage brand Louis Vuitton comes with reinforced corners and compact wheels. While the distinctive monogram is true to LV’s traditional repertoire, the bold pop of red — reflected in both the exterior trim and the lining — adds a contemporary edge.

Best leather suitcases

Aspinal of London Connaught cabin suitcase

Nothing says luxury luggage quite like Aspinal of London’s handcrafted leather cases. Made from black Saffiano leather, this sleek carry-on is the ideal companion on work trips or special weekends away and the silk mix-lined interior in vibrant red only enhances its allure.

Best luggage sets

Antler expandable cabin suitcase set

Antler is one of the most trusted names in the luggage business and a perennial favourite among frequent flyers. This trio of cabin, medium and large cases all feature the brand’s expandable design and hardshell finish, as well as Silent Glide 360 spinner wheels and a bespoke comfort-grip handle. The best part? The three cases are cleverly designed to nest neatly inside each other (Russian doll-style) for easy storage between holidays.

Best luggage trunk

Gucci Savoy large shoe trunk

Celebrating the Golden Age of Travel, this momentous shoe trunk from Gucci is an ode to the years Guccio Gucci spent at The Savoy in the late 1800s. While still heavily inspired by the signature travel cases of the time, it has been given a contemporary twist with its beige and ebony monogrammed canvas and statement stripes.

Globe-Trotter Centenary XL trunk

This gargantuan trunk from heritage luggage label Globe-Trotter was originally designed for cabins in steamer ships and trains. Thankfully the brand has updated it with the modern traveller in mind, transforming it into a case with the addition of four wheels. It still has the largest capacity of all Globe-Trotter designs — a whopping 117 litres — so there’s no need to pack light. The vegetable-tanned bull leather corners and straps, marmalade orange body and polished brass hardware all make this an imitable piece.

Monos Aluminum trunk

Monos is known for combining timeless luggage with an understated aesthetic and the Aluminum Collection is its best offering yet. There are four styles to choose from, including a large check-in and compact carry-on, all crafted from anonised and electroplated aluminium with a sleek brushed finish. If you’re yet to perfect the art of packing light, this trunk should be your first choice, especially for longer journeys. With its deep central compartments, it has plenty of room for bulkier items and the zipperless frame takes all the fuss out of packing. Simply secure your belongings in place with the latch locks and enjoy the feel of the ergonomic handle as your waltz through those airport doors.

Read the Article: https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/luxury/article/best-luxury-luggage-times-luxury-r2tz7hvsv