My Luggage

The name of this blog is called “My Luggage Looks Good Here” so I would be remiss to not introduce you to the stars of this whole project.

It started with two pieces of luggage.

When the TUMI 19 Degree collection first came out in 2016, I immediately fell in love with the design. The aluminum collection was out of my price range, and I had reservations about the scratches it would take, so I opted for the earliest edition of the polycarbonate collection.

In Australia (like everything else here) these bags cost a bomb. Thankfully, my parents in California happened to live near a TUMI outlet and miraculously the store had the large and medium-sized polycarbonate in black during a holiday sale, so I purchased mine there.

At the time I had nowhere to go, but I was ready!

For me, having luggage that I love is a big deal. I’m not a designer handbag person, and frankly even the most quality suitcases cost less than an entry level luxury handbag.

As time has gone on I’ve added more pieces. I’m still a TUMI girl for sure but I appreciate all the other additions and chose them very carefully. I believe in choosing something for a lifetime or however long until it falls apart.

If you are thinking about creating your own luggage capsule collection, you can read about my thought process here.

You likely travel differently and have different needs, but this provides a pretty good set of basics.

So, here they are in the order of acquisition…

TUMI POLYCARBONATE 19 DEGREE IN BLACK- LARGE AND MEDIUM (2017)

These are the OGs of my luggage collection. Honestly, I chose these based mostly on how they looked. Prior to this I always had a top-open soft case and packed whichever bags I could get my hands on at a good price. But these changed how I packed forever.

These cases are quite slim, and they are center-open. What I like about this is that unless I’m carrying a case full of books I don’t usually go over any 23kg limits for international travel. I’ve done that once or twice.

As I mentioned before I purchased these in December 2017 at the San Francisco Premium Outlets in Livermore (shout out to the Saks Fifth Ave outlet and the sunglasses collection there, as well.)

These two cases make up the base of my overseas packing situation, but I usually only ever travel with the two cases when I’m going home and know I’ll be bringing a TON of stuff back that I can’t get in Australia.

The great thing about matching cases from a brand that really knows what they’re doing when it comes to luggage is that with the 4-wheeled cases you can place them back-to-back with the handles extended and push them so easily with one hand. Yes, you need a little extra gusto to get them over those tiny speed bumps on the curbs but it’s doable.

The large case I usually use for international flights that are a week or longer, while the medium case is usually for road trips or to check-in for a short weekend trip domestically.

TUMI BACKPACK (2018)

I purchased this at the now extinct TUMI store at Pacific Fair in the Gold Coast. The woman who worked there was so helpful. If you are in the market for a backpack especially, I suggest going to a store and ask the expert there what their thoughts are based on your needs and what you’re planning to do. The sales associate was very insightful about how different sized bags would look on my shorter frame.

This wasn’t initially intended as luggage. I purchased this as a somewhat professional bag to take with me to court appointments when I was getting divorced. I wanted to look polished but also bring light to the fact that I was still chasing around a toddler and needed both of my hands free.

I was pointed toward a smaller-sized backpack constructed with ballistic nylon that was still large enough to hold my laptop. The sales associate also helped me choose the monogram tag and told me I could bring in my 19 Degree TUMI suitcases purchased from another store to get the monogram plate.

For many years, this backpack acted as my sole carry-on and the fact that it has one of those sleeves that goes over a suitcase handle so well makes it amazing.

So, at this point I’m extremely team TUMI.

TUMI NYLON VOYAGEUR JUST IN CASE FOLDABLE TOTE (2018)

TUMI, again. When I find a good thing I like to stick to it. As I was thinking about how I could add to my luggage collection in a meaningful way I thought this would be a good tote bag. The main purpose of this bag was to use it as overflow if I picked up a few too many souvenirs or gifts while away.

Because it folds so neatly into its own pouch you can easily fit it into a suitcase and if you need to you put your soft items like clothing into it and keep the breakables in your hard case and check both in.

Also, it works as a good beach bag, gym bag, or shopping bag while you’re away. Having had it for several years I’ve found it very useful for a lot of different purposes. It also has a luggage handle sleeve, so it works as an easy carryon.

The Tumi Nylon Voyageur Just In Case Tote comes in many different colors but if you want black just know that it’s never on sale and that it’s usually hard to find in stock. I picked mine up at the London Heathrow store because I knew I might not see it in person again. So, I consider it one of my London souvenirs lol.

LOUIS VUITTON GAME ON KEEPALL BANDOULIERE 45 (2020)

Admittedly, this is where it gets kinda bougie, but for good reason.

This was a special purchase for me. At this point, travel was becoming a regular habit. In June 2020 all the court proceedings associated with my divorce officially ended and this was a purchase to commemorate the finalization of that four-year period of my life.

The luggage I had was so closely associated with my own freedom in general, so this felt like a natural way to commemorate it. Before this, I had only ever owned their small leather goods (my favorite being the men’s multiple wallets.)

By coincidence, my favorite motif is playing cards and the Game On collection Louis Vuitton were doing that season happened to coincide with this exact time, so it felt meant-to-be. It’s a classic silhouette, but with a point of difference. I mean, in the signature monogram pattern it’s the bag that Jay-Z and Beyonce use to haul their cash in the ’03 Bonnie and Clyde’ music video…a classic.

I use this when I’m going on a weekend trip somewhere on a plane and I don’t need many outfit choices.

Look, it’s not the most practical, but it gets the job done and I love it.

When I’m not travelling it feels like a piece of art in my living space.

LOUIS VUITTON PEGASE 55 ROLLING SUITCASE CARRYON (2022)

Another special purchase, the Louis Vuitton Pegase 55 Rolling Case was a gift to myself for my 40th birthday. That’s a pretty significant birthday, right?!

You may have noticed that up until this point I hadn’t yet had a true carryon. Yes, I used the backpack for a while and it worked well with a baby, but I started to get tired of wearing it on my back. Walking through the huge airports in places like Singapore or Dubai you get so over wearing something on your back.

Why not a TUMI rolling carryon?

I felt like the polycarbonate carryon would be too match-y and the aluminum are so expensive and so heavy. I had one sales associate tell me that they recommend people travel business class if they’re going to use the aluminum carry on. Huh?! I’m not buying a business class ticket for my suitcase.

The LV case is relatively lightweight compared to the TUMI versions and I liked that this is a timeless look that matches with everything.

Again, I consider this a lifetime purchase. I already know which one of my kids is going to inherit it.

I chose the case with the slim handle, as opposed to the wide handle because I prefer how the slimmer handle profile looks and I can also slip my carry-on over the sleeve. It’s an old-school two-wheel case so you have to tilt it to move. None of that bothers me though.

Also, this is a top-loading bag so you can use the little luggage valets in the hotel rooms when you have this case.

From a travel logistics perspective, when I’m going on a cheaper flight or worried about there not being enough cabin space for my bag in the top compartment, I always book more weight or an early bird seat so I can board earlier. There is just no way you would want to check in this bad boy.

So, it’s kind of precious in that way that you’ll want to make sure you’re never in a position to be forced to check it. Something to keep in mind.

RIMOWA CABIN LITE CARRYON AZURE BLUE

I swore I was a TUMI girl through and through, and I still am. But I couldn’t resist the blue colorway of this Rimowa. This purchase was motivated by an upcoming trip to Italy. I have only been to Italy once, but I vividly remember carrying my luggage at a lot of places.

I was adamant about bringing only a small case that I can handle and the TUMI backpack. Although I was wanting a carry-on size for the trains and to keep it close to me, I also wanted to be able to check-in this case and only use my backpack as the official carry-on.

As I mentioned before I would never want to check-in my LV case, so I thought maybe this was a good time to dip my toe into the RIMOWA pool.

I knew the polycarbonate ones would be much lighter than the TUMI versions I liked.

Plus, the color works back with the blue on my LV KEEPALL, I recently took both on a trip and was happy with how coordinated they were.

It did take me a while to get used to the Velcro straps and divider that keeps your item tightly packed to the side, as opposed to the simple zip compartment on the TUMI. But I think this feature is great and I see why it’s the luggage of choice for so many seasoned travelers.

LONGCHAMP LE PLIAGE GREEN BACKPACK- TOBACCO

Normally my purchases are very thought out and I take weeks if not months to decide and sit with the purchase. The Longchamp Le Pliage Green Backpack was basically an impulse buy.

On a flight to Korea, I saw a girl unpacking and using it on this long-haul flight next to me. She had little pouches in it for everything and it even fit her laptop despite how small it looked. I swear it was like Mary Poppins’ Carpet Bag with how much stuff she was taking out of there.

Seeing her use it in practice immediately sold me on the item.

Before boarding the flight back home, I purchased one from a Duty-Free shop. It is only one big space on the inside (aside from a small card pocket on the inside back underneath the flap) so I recommend using pouches for different things like the girl sitting next to me did.

Having used it a couple of times I can say it does hold up well but it’s tricky to use as an actual handbag when you get to your destination because it’s such a chore to zip and unzip the bag and do up the snap closure flap every time. Maybe I haven’t yet gotten the rhythm down.

For me it’s strictly an airplane bag at the moment.

BONUS: LIGHTWEIGHT JACKET WITH ROOMY ZIP POCKETS

Technically this isn’t luggage but it’s often an important part of my international packing situation.

In one pocket I have my wallet and phone, in another I have my passports. Because you usually need quick access to them and digging through a bag can be so stressful plus you run the risk of things falling out if you’re really rushed.

The key is to have roomy zip pockets so that you know things will not accidentally fall out.

Plus, when you go through security you don’t need to empty your pockets, you just take off the jacket and put it through the screening belt.

Also, if you are flying a budget airline that WEIGHS your carry-on you can put heavy chargers, electronics, and other items in your pocket just before they weigh it and then unload it all again into your bag after you get the tag on your bag showing it’s been on the scale already.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT BAG FOR YOU

I always took a lot of time choosing my luggage and considering what it would look like together and in different configurations. I’m clearly not a backpacker, and if you’re reading this you probably aren’t either. Part of why I spend on my luggage is because I consider it to be like furniture, It’s always hanging around different parts of my room. I like to see it.

It’s also an accessory that I use a lot. Even when I’m not actually travelling I like to pack well in advance and dream about trips. Sometimes I even hide Christmas presents in them.

Where to start: Creating Your Luggage Capsule Collection

The Matching Pair

If you’re looking to build a luggage wardrobe, I would start with the basics and add on as you need. The large and medium matching case is a good place to start.

Every brand will have a large and medium case. I got my son an Antler set, and my daughter has a Cal Pak. Be aware though that many ‘large’ suitcases are so easy to fill up and end up over the weight limit. For that reason, I got my son the medium and carry-on sizes.

Travel Considerations

I know this is gonna sound strange but does all your luggage fit in your car with the people you are traveling with? My cohort (me and my two kids) can fit in my sedan with ALL our luggage, and I thought about that when purchasing these bags.

Build As the Need Arises and with Longevity in Mind

Do you need something that can carry a laptop?

What kind of trips will you be taking?

Your luggage is an investment. I’ve seen cheaper brands or generic brands that have a great look but get completely trashed on the luggage carousel.

Not only is that a major headache but the thought of having to replace it feels wasteful to me. I’m not changing my luggage each season. These are things I intend to have for a lifetime or until they are totally worn out.

Hope some of these tips help you if you are looking for the perfect luggage. Would love to hear about your favorite luggage pieces. My luggage family is fairly set but I’m always on the lookout for what’s new on the packing front.