Jet Set: The Stylish Man’s Guide To Luggage

Travelling can be a stressful endeavour at the best of times. Early starts, endless passport-control queues, labyrinth-like terminal buildings and delayed flights are just a few of the obstacles to contend with.

With this much to worry about, why let a sub-par suitcase or bag cause problems, too? Here, we examine men’s luggage in depth, including where to shop and what to look for in the perfect travel companion.

The Ultimate Luggage Collection

From checked baggage to something for the weekend, these are the pieces of luggage no frequent flyer should be without.

Carry-On/Cabin Case

If you spend a lot of time airborne, whether for business or pleasure, it pays to be able to get through an airport as swiftly as possible. A carry-on case will help facilitate this.

Simply fill it with essentials for a few days away and stride directly to departures, bypassing the giant, snaking queue for the check-in desk.

Hard-Sided Suitcase

Of course, in a perfect world, we wouldn’t have to check any bags at all. But if the trip is longer than a few days, a large suitcase is a necessity—and the hard-sided case is our receptacle of choice. It’s durable, it protects valuables from clumsy baggage handlers, and if you buy right, it will look the part, too.

Whether you prefer the slick modernism of an aluminium case or the sophistication of a luxury trunk, there’s something for every type of gent.

Weekend Bag

Yes, we call it a weekend bag, but it’s really so much more. This mid-sized vessel will see you right for short jaunts away but also have you covered for the gym, a change of clothes for post-office frivolities and the odd overnight work trip.

It should be large enough to house a few outfit changes, your essential grooming kit, a pair of sneakers (or two) and pretty much anything else you might need to tackle a couple of days on the road. Opt for canvas construction if you need something that can withstand a beating or a timeless leather option for something more refined.

Laptop Case

Laptops aren’t cheap, nor are they exactly bulletproof. When travelling with something that fragile and that valuable, it makes sense to protect it. A stylish laptop case is, therefore, a must-have for the modern globetrotting gent.

These rectangular receptacles range from low-profile, zip-up sleeves to full-scale messenger bags. If you intend to cart your computer in your weekender or cabin case, a simple sleeve may be all that’s necessary.

Look out for black leather variations, perfectly suited to the corporate workplace.

Dopp Kit

A dopp kit is the all-in-one solution when it comes to grooming on the go. No frequent traveller should be without one.

Whether canvas, nylon or leather, a well-stocked wash bag should include shaving gear, a toothbrush, nail clippers and anything else you might need to keep your personal hygiene in check on the fly. Look for wipe-clean internal linings for those inevitable spillages.

Buying Considerations

Security

We fill suitcases with our most prized possessions only to hand them over to a stranger, letting them out of our sight for hours or even days at a time. A sturdy combination lock can help restore peace of mind.

Some brands, like Rimowa, employ a key and a combi-lock to keep things twice as secure. Look out for these and other security features when shopping for your next piece of baggage—you can never be too careful.

Hardware

Aside from looking at fabrics and construction, a good way to denote the quality of a bag or case is to inspect its hardware. Straps, handles, locks, zips and such should be sturdy, robust and free of flaws, with additional reinforcing at stress points.

Take extra care to examine things like the casters on a suitcase or the type of metal used for a weekend bag’s buckles – these are the small but important details that determine whether a piece of luggage will last you 20 years or 20 minutes.

Ever had your suitcase handle break while sprinting to catch your connecting flight? Not fun.

Construction

Next to hardware, construction and fabrication are dead giveaways of quality (or lack thereof). Materials should be premium if reflected in the price.

Look for soft leather, thick canvas and high-grade metals and ensure not a stitch is out of place. Don’t forget to check inside, too.

Storage And Organisation

What will your new bag or case be primarily used for? Carrying work documents and a laptop? Hauling sweaty gym gear around? Transporting your finest clothes and shoes on vacation?

Whatever it is, pick a design with pockets and compartments that match its intended use. Some holdalls, for example, come equipped with a separate compartment for storing gym trainers, while many suitcases and carry-ons now offer storage solutions for your tech, integrated suit carriers and even detachable laundry bags.

Key Luggage Brands For Stylish Travellers

From Louis Vuitton’s iconic monogram prints to Rimowa’s robust metal trunks, here are the brands you should consider when sourcing high-end luggage.

Db

When it first launched, Db was called Douchebags, which to be honest, we thought was hysterical. Now grown-up and abbreviated, the brand still does impressive, technical luggage with an eye on adventure. It was started by a professional skier, after all.

It creates bags of all kinds, including some designed specifically for skiing, surfing, skating and photography. There’s a functional ethos across the collection, with each bag designed to solve problems, while improving durability, mobility and the amount of gear you can safely stow in your luggage.

Shop now at Db

Carl Friedrik

Over the past decade, Carl Friedrik has been forging a reputation amongst men in the know as the go-to label for slick, minimalist bags. Founded by brothers Niklas and Mattis Oppermann, their output largely consists of contemporary leather luggage – including weekenders, briefcases, messengers, backpacks and passport covers – but they have recently branched out into shell cases.

Although we have a soft spot for the classic Trunk, which harks back to the golden age of the Jet Set, the Carry-On is our pick of the range. A heritage-inspired case crafted from lightweight polycarbonate, it’s reinforced with a rigid aluminium lock frame and Italian leather detailing.

But that’s not all. Compression straps on each side ensure your garments stay put, while a separating pad with two zipped compartments for smaller items ensures nothing falls out when opening and closing the case. Optional extras include monogramming for that personal touch, and a removable power bank so your devices never run out of juice.

Makes packing for a trip a pleasure rather than a chore.

Shop now at Carl Friedrik

Mismo

Danish bagmaker Mismo has quickly built a reputation among those in the know for the most stylish weekenders you’ll find on the market. But it’s not all good looks and no substance.

The brand’s luggage is crafted from a premium canvas fabric originally developed for the Italian military, so you can rest assured that these bags can take any beating a baggage handler may inflict. They’re also thoroughly treated to protect against the elements and come complete with bridle leather handles and detailing for a luxurious finish.

Mismo’s bags sit at the upper end of the pricing spectrum, but the level of craftsmanship and quality means they are well worth the investment.

Shop now at Mismo

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton has long been synonymous with luxurious luggage. Now one of the most respected luxury brands on the planet, the French company began life crafting trunks and cases for the Parisian elite.

Today, you don’t have to be a French aristocrat to get your hands on one of their cases, but it certainly helps. LV luggage comes with higher price tags, but make the investment and you’ll be rewarded with truly magnificent craftsmanship, the finest materials and a piece of luggage that will likely be passed down for generations, long after you’ve checked it in for the final time.

Shop now at Louis Vuitton

Globe-Trotter

Globe-Trotter’s hard trunks are famously sturdy. So sturdy, in fact, that the iconic brand once proved their robustness by having an elephant stand on one. They’re also incredibly lightweight – something you’ll no doubt be glad of when hauling it around the airport.

This trademark build quality has seen Globe-Trotter become the luggage provider of choice for some of the most famous names of the last 100 years – Winston Churchill and the late Queen Elizabeth to name just two. If you’re looking for a well-built design that harks back to the golden days of the Jet Set, look no further.

Shop now at Globe-Trotter

Away

Having burst onto the market in 2015, Away is a relative newcomer in the world of high-end luggage. Still, what it lacks in heritage, it more than compensates for in quality and good looks.

The New York-based label is known for its simple yet efficient, mid-priced bags, which offer travellers everything they need to take to the skies—and nothing they don’t. These cases will stand the test of time while setting you back less than the cost of your flight.

For premium builds on a budget, Away is one of the best.

Shop now at Away

Rimowa

German luggage label Rimowa is well over 100 years old. Historically, it produced bags and cases using all sorts of materials, but when a fire burned down its factory in the 1930s, all that was left was aluminium.

The resulting metal cases have become a design hallmark as iconic as LV’s monogram. A Rimowa suitcase is instantly recognisable, and its aluminium construction makes it one of the sturdiest vessels money can buy. There are also plenty of polycarbonate options for those who want something a little different, with no sacrifice in quality.

Shop now at Rimowa

The North Face

All-weather brand The North Face makes hardy clothing and gear designed to go the distance with you. That includes its large selection of luggage, which spans from traditional hard-shell suitcases to holdalls and backpacks designed more for the great outdoors than airport conveyor belts.

Across the board, you’ll find smart storage features, like padded compartments, drink holders and comfortable shoulder straps. And like the brand’s apparel, North Face luggage has an urban quality that means it looks great in the outback or the inner city.

Shop now at The North Face

TUMI

US luggage brand Tumi is the kind of luxury specialist whose expertise is evident from the first time you roll up to the airport.

Its cases are almost overdesigned – stuffed with innovations like ballistic materials that won’t rip and wheels and handles that are solid but smooth and easy to use. Every bag Tumi produces undergoes around 30 tests to prove their durability, including a tumbler that throws the luggage around 125 times.

The collection is extensive, from different-sized suitcases to specialist bags and briefcases to hands-free options like cross-body bags. Looks-wise, Tumi leans luxury but solid, with a small number of colours and metallic finishes to choose from.

Shop now at TUMI

HORIZN STUDIOS

It has partnerships with Soho House, BMW and Design Hotels, which tells you something about the kind of luggage Horizn Studios produces. Stylish and well-made, the brand makes suitcases and bags with the kind of specs usually associated with electronics.

Ballistic nylon, recycled materials and clever innovations with the handles and wheels will pique your interest. What may seal the deal on some of the range is that you can get an integrated portable charger for your phone and tablets that stows discreetly under the suitcases’ top handle.

Shop now at Horizn Studios