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More so than any of the travel accessories a trip requires, a lot hinges on the suitcase. To travel smart is to invest in the best luxury luggage brands—because a well-made bag can last for decades. As Vogue’s senior living writer Elise Taylor can attest, the whole experience is a balancing act. “There’s always such a fine line with luggage for me,” she says. “I’m not a ‘luxury’ traveler. I fly economy and take public transportation daily…but I travel enough that I have to have a suitcase that lasts.”
Vogue’s Favorite Luxury Luggage Brands:
Featured in this article
Frequent flyer or not, the staying power of a high-quality suitcase is what sets the very best luggage brands apart from the rest. Depending on the style of your getaways, you may find it’s worth splurging on a high-end carry-on bag that fits neatly into overhead compartments and train cabins; or maybe the concept of traveling light is a foreign one, and a spacious checked case is more worth your money. Perhaps all you really need is a weekender bag that can easily fit your pared-back travel essentials.
Materials also matter in high-end suitcases: A lightweight steel case might mean you can pack a bit extra and avoid an overweight baggage fee. The eye-catching rollaboards from Béis and Arlo Skye in cheerful colors will ensure no one else mistakes their luggage for yours. And the nostalgia-inclined will delight in leather-trimmed cases from Steamline, Globe-Trotter, and T. Anthony.
Ahead, Vogue breaks down the best luxury luggage brands for travelers, from heritage designer luggage labels to buzz-worthy direct-to-consumer brands.
Best Basics: Away
Though Away has only been around for 10 years, the New York-based brand has left its mark on the world—just visit any airport to see for yourself. The company was initially founded on its luggage’s ability to recharge your iPhones, but the brand has since expanded into a full range of suitcases—batteries not always included! You can’t go wrong with any of the products offered by Away, which names each piece of luggage in the most helpful and straightforward of ways: The Carry-On, The Bigger Carry-On, etc.
Best Features: Nobl
For the modern traveler who prizes convenience, Nobl has a suitcase for your every need. Most of its suitcases are expandable, and several of them include out-of-the-box features like a cup holder, a phone holder (and charger), and a hook for your bag. “Never in my life have I seen a piece of luggage with so many compartments,” says Elly Leavitt, lifestyle shopping editor. “I have the aluminum checked bag, which is the perfect size for longer trips and is surprisingly lightweight despite its hefty outer material. Inside, there are several pockets and an inner fabric divider that fastens to hooks on the side to keep your items from spilling into the other side.” With a sleek, generally contemporary aesthetic—though some of the items from the collection do come in fun colors, like baby pink and cornflower blue—you’ll find something to see you through many travel seasons to come.
Best Durability: Tumi
Named after Peru’s national symbol (a ceremonial, decorative knife), Tumi was founded in New Jersey in 1975. Since then, the brand has prided itself on technology-first design, most notably their black ballistic nylon travel bags (which are great if you’re someone who prefers softside luggage). Durability and functionality are at the core of their design principles, a quality that appeals to senior lifestyle writer Elise Taylor. “One year I broke three (yes, three!) weekender bags because I kept buying cheap ones I saw online. So I invested in Tumi’s carry-on.” Despite the hefty price tag, she’s a self-proclaimed happy customer. “It’s holding up remarkably well considering what I put it through—like overhead bin compartments it is way too big for (not the fault of the suitcase but rather because I’ve overstuffed it with random clothes), the cargo hold of Greek island ferries, and the chaotic luggage rack of the LAX-it bus.”
Best Fashion-Inspired Pieces: Béis
Founded by actress and entrepreneur Shay Mitchell, Béis is best-known for its colorful travel bags that blend form and function (as well as, most recently, a collaboration with Gap). From expandable interiors to hidden compartments in its weekender bags, there are plenty of smart features squeezed into each piece—all done in pretty colors like olive green and burgundy you’ll never lose at the baggage claim. “I really like the checked bag because its shell is lightweight and I’m able to pack more of my clothing in it,” says Kasey Busiel, Vogue’s shopping marketing and production manager. “I find it fits all my packing cubes nicely and the zippered compartment is great for keeping everything safely stowed away.”
Best Investment Luggage: Rimowa
If you’re looking for heritage, quality, and craftsmanship, Rimowa—founded in 1898—is the just the ticket. With cases crafted almost entirely of lightweight but sturdy aluminum and a patented multi-wheel system, Rimowa caters to the no-nonsense traveler looking for slick functionality. (Celebrity fans of the brand run the gamut, from Rihanna to Martha Stewart.) And as of late, the company is finding ways to infuse a bit of fashion into its heritage designs; recent collaborations include Off-White, Supreme, Daniel Arsham, and Dior, and most recently, Rimowa released a magnetic “luggage harness” that can be strapped over various suitcase sizes to streamline your tote bag and other hand-carry items.
Best Roomy Size: Antler
This British brand has been around since 1914, but underwent a rebrand in 2023; now, Antler focuses on functional, contemporary designs that still reflect the brand’s expert craftsmanship. “I’m a modern minimalist at heart, and the structure of this Antler suitcase really speaks to me,” says senior shopping writer Cortne Bonilla, who owns a sleek cream-colored piece from the label. “For the past few years, I’ve abandoned all my other suitcases for the large Antler—it fits literally everything, from a fashion girl’s chronic over-packing of unnecessary looks, to supplies for my two dogs, and gifts for my mom.” Plus, each suitcase comes with a lifetime warranty.
Best Vintage Charm: Steamline Luggage
Born in 2005, Steamline Luggage was founded on nostalgia for the bygone heyday of travel. (Think safari-ready leather travel trunks but with all the bells and whistles of a modern-day case.) Its range of luggage includes vintage-esque rollaboards and a lovely collection of hat-box-shaped cross-bodies and cosmetics cases.
Best Minimalist Style: July
Nearly everything from July, an Australian-based brand, is customizable. Bubble leathers and bold-colored graphic monograms can help to set your case apart from your fellow passengers. This brand is particularly perfect for those carry-on-only packers who want to get the most out of their single bag; July celebrates its latest release as being the lightest carry-on on the market.
Best Celeb-Favorite: Gucci
With star-studded campaigns starring the likes of Ryan Gosling plus Bad Bunny and Kendall Jenner, Gucci’s heritage as a luggage atelier enters a new era. For polished and poised travel, the Savoy line is a favorite—the trolley’s GG Supreme canvas was inspired by an archival design from the 1930s and translates beautifully to the collection of covetable suitcases.
Best Leather Goods: Bric’s
Little has changed about the way Bric’s crafts its signature leather collections since the company was founded in 1952 by Mario Briccola. Today, the Italian leather goods are still produced at family-run factories in Como. Even the label’s hard polycarbonate cases feature leather trim details to honor Bric’s artisanal heritage.
Best Expandable Carry-Ons: Arlo Skye
Arlo Skye has been around since 2016, first launching with a sleek aluminum case. Since then, it’s expanded into a tight selection of different sizes, including a splashy collaboration with Dusen Dusen: “This lemon-colored carry-on has been with me on weekslong trips around the Greek islands and weekend jaunts upstate alike—the exterior front pocket that expands out is seriously such a game-changer for sneaking back extra souvenirs,” says Leavitt.
Best Customizable: Roam
Created by one of the founders of Tumi, Roam leans on the personality of travelers to determine its assortment. The majority of its products are customizable, with the ability to mix and match colors. Bonus: All of Roam’s luggage is crafted in the U.S.
Best Contemporary Style: Floyd
The nostalgic set who don’t want to carry leather-strapped hat boxes might find what they’re looking for in Floyd, a brand dedicated to skateboarding and Venice Beach culture of the 1970s. Founded in 2019 by two Munich-based creatives, the brand brings the groove back to flying with its retro-hued Makrolon polycarbonate cases that can be paired with interchangeable wheels (inspired by those of skateboards, of course).
Best Designer Bag: Louis Vuitton
Before Nicolas Ghesquière, and way before Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton was a maker of travel trunks. In 1854, Mr. Louis Vuitton had the novel idea to make trunks flat and rectangular (previously, they featured rounded tops) so that they could be easily stacked—the rest is history. Anyone who has caught Vuitton’s roving exhibitions dedicated to travel, Volez, Voyagez, Voguez, knows the extent of the maison’s dedication to the art of travel. Today, the brand continues to craft some of the finest luxury travel items, from duffel bags to hardside luggage. Most often, these bags are splashed in Vuitton’s monogram for a subtle print.
Best Affordable Designs: Calpak
Founded in Los Angeles in 1989, Calpak sets itself apart with stylish luggage at a great price point. Best known for slick hard-case bags with clean lines and simple, timeless colors, Calpak also offers plenty for the design maximalist: In 2016, the brand offered an assortment of faux-marble luggage and it also collaborated with hairstylist Jen Atkin on a case in a distinct shade of red—excellent for spotting on the baggage carousel.
Best Heritage Pieces: T. Anthony
There’s an iconic photograph showing Marilyn Monroe boarding an airplane, looking ever the portrait of wanderlust glamour. In her hand is a case by T. Anthony, and it’s the brand’s heritage that keeps its loyal customers coming back. Since the label’s founding in 1948, the iconic New York luggage maker has prided itself on its ethically and responsibly designed wares.
Best Old-School Glamour: Globe-Trotter
Globe-Trotter may look as though it’s riffing off of old-fashion luggage wares, but really, it’s dipping into its own archive for design inspiration. Founded in Germany in 1897, the company eventually moved to the U.K. in 1932, where its been producing leather-based luggage by hand for almost a century. Famous Globe-Trotter owners of yore include Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth, with contemporary celebrity customers including Kate Moss and Angelina Jolie.
Everything You Should Know
How we chose these luxury luggage brands
Leaning on our deep understanding of luxury and the factors that justify an investment (including elevated materials, practical details, and strong design), we curated a list that prioritizes both form and function. The final edit highlights designers with a longstanding reputation, as well as newcomers who have established themselves as worthy additions to the travel industry.
What size suitcase should I buy?
The right size suitcase depends on the length and type of journey you’re embarking on. A carry-on is always useful to have for quick trips (or for frequent fliers who hate waiting at the luggage carousel). Additionally, a large checked luggage will ensure you’re always prepared no matter the occasion.
Are hard shell suitcases better than soft?
Whether you choose a hard shell suitcase or soft is more a matter of preference than better versus worse. Hard shell suitcases offer more protection and are easier to clean, while soft shells are more flexible and typically include an exterior pocket.
Should I use a luggage cover?
This practical layer that wraps around your luggage can help protect against the scuffs, scratches, and bad weather it encounters from its journey to and from the airplane. If you’re determined to keep the exterior of your luggage in pristine condition, a cover might be a good idea. (Tip: Go for a clear luggage cover, like Calpak’s, so you can maintain the original look of your suitcase.)
