The best luxury luggage to buy now

It wasn’t too long ago when luggage largely fell into one of two distinct camps: purely functional and decidedly dreary, or supremely luxurious, if wildly impractical (if you’re lucky enough to own a Louis Vuitton trunk, you'll know they aren’t exactly made for stuffing into an overhead locker).

These days, however, the luxury luggage market is booming, with a host of new brands and old favourites delivering carry-on cases, luxe weekend bags and long-haul heroes that meld practical appeal with a refined aesthetic. Frequent travellers will love the new school of sleek, practical wheeled cases: Nere, already the number-one travel brand in Australia, crafts its vibrant designs with expandable sides, in-built locks and the smoothest silent wheels to ensure a seamless journey, while July’s Carry On Light, made from German polycarbonate, is the lightest suitcase in the world.

For something that feels as fun as it is functional, look to Crash Baggage’s pre-dented cases, or turn to Globe-Trotter for exquisite vintage-style luggage that pays homage to the golden age of travel. And for the ultimate investment? Meet Sterling Pacific: the brand taking craftsmanship to remarkable new heights.

Wherever you’re headed, we know just the thing.

The best luxury luggage brands to know now 

Paravel

Paravel's luggage is proof that sustainable practices don't have to come with a compromise on style. Offering the best of both worlds, the brand's hard-shell suitcases and brilliantly practical weekend bags are made with the planet in mind: look for the Negative Nylon® and Ecocraft Canvas® materials, which are both made using reclaimed plastic bottles, preventing them from ending up in landfill. Similarly impressive, the Aviator case was the world's first carbon-neutral suitcase.

And as for the design? Helpful details abound here: take the bestselling Grand Tour weekend bag. Big enough to fit a week's worth of clothing, it's finished with a removable shoulder strap, secure zipped compartments, easy-access external pockets and a two-way lockable zip. For an extra-special finish, the brand will even paint or embroider your initials on the front.  

Horizn Studios

German luggage brand Horizn Studios crafts suitcases in a more sustainable way than most. The new RE Series collection is the first in the world to be made almost entirely (97 per cent, to be precise) from recycled polycarbonate shell, diverting end-of-life products away from landfill. The production processes also involve 72 per cent less carbon emissions than a traditional suitcase, and the lining is 100 per cent recycled. 

The Vampire's Wife x Globe-Trotter 

This month, The Vampire’s Wife reveals a very special collaboration with Globe-Trotter, comprising a limited run of traditional trunks, vanity cases and jewellery boxes.

An ode to the golden age of travel, these are pieces for those who want even their most practical purchases to be a thing of beauty, with each old-Hollywood design arriving leather-trimmed and lined in plush velvet.

The cream and blood-red Wedding Collection is inspired by a treasured vanity case given to founder Susie Cave’s mother by her father, while the Black Collection is an ode to her husband, Nick Cave’s affinity for taking the most refined luggage on his global tours. Both are finished with gold brass hardware and the brand’s calling card, a bat, embossed on the luggage tag.  

Antler  

A long-trusted name, Antler makes a case for every travel situation, be it a quick overseas jaunt or a major trip. We love the classic Clifton, which is cleverly colourfast, meaning you won’t be left with shining silver scratches. The colour range runs from classic black to joy-inducing poppy, and the brand makes plenty of accessories to complete your travel line-up.

Crash Baggage  

Proof that luggage doesn’t have to be boring, Italian brand Crash Baggage’s polycarbonate cases come deliberately dented, straight off the shelf. Combined with a host of vibrant hues, the result is something you’ll never struggle to see on the luggage belt. 

Globe-Trotter

A true heritage brand, Globe-Trotter has been in the business of hand-crafting exquisite luggage since 1897, with everyone from Queen Elizabeth II to Kate Moss having carried one of its British-made cases. Masterfully combining its rich history with a modern sensibility, the brand is known for its high-fashion collaborations: past partners have included Gucci and Hermès.

Right now, we’re coveting the Centenary collection, which celebrates the brand’s biggest birthday with designs that pay homage to those elegant originals. These exquisite cases, made from the same vulcanised fibreboard as their predecessors, combine traditional touches – buckled straps, contrasting leather-wrapped corners – with modern practicalities, including carbon-steel locks and the smoothest base wheels. 

FPM Milano 

Fabbrica Pelletterie Milano (or FPM, to use its abbreviated moniker) has been crafting luxury luggage since the 1940s, and remains a family-run label today. The brand’s trademark Bank series pays homage to vintage travel trunks and involves meticulous artisanal detailing, from hundreds of hand-inserted rivets to leather-wrapped handles. The aluminium body is as sleek as it is strong, while the supersized butterfly clasps lend a hint of old-world drama.

Gucci

In a nod to its travel-centric beginnings, Gucci has created the ultimate luxury suitcase. Crafted by the artisans at FPM Milano, this collector's piece features all the practical details—from a telescopic handle to rounded edges, and neatly divided interior compartments—and is finished with the house's inimitable GG Supreme monogrammed canvas.  

Feature image credit: pixabay

This article originally appeared on harpersbazaar.com/uk in April 2024. 

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