Luggage.

[RWS]

For travel by car or train, Hartmann's belting-leather: old-fashioned, strong, American-made, and (to my eye, at least) beautiful in its simplicity. The one-suiter is small and compact enough to carry aboard an airplane; but for checked luggage in air travel, a cheap but fairly sturdy wheelled monster -- not, I hope, made in China.

[rjman]

Globe Trotter is a company that operates with the anonymity of the CIA. No address, no phone, won't deal with the public, and only a few dealers in London. I tried to have them fit the Trolley (ordered as "one off" per their label) with the integral leather straps and they declined on some illogical design basis. Rather like your tailor declining to make slacks with one pleat, insisting on double pleats.

They reputedly have opened a bespoke atelier. http://www.globe-trotterltd.com I suggest you contact them to see if they can make something up for you.

There is no longer any secret to getting upgraded on planes. Not wearing a suit, not having the right luggage, not a bright smile. Every article on those supposed tips leaves me rolling my eyes. One must either fly a lot or pay the price for a business- or first-class ticket. Airlines now typically will no longer allow you to use miles to upgrade most tickets unless you're flying at damned close to full-fare. Most check-in agents, particularly in the US, are too worried about losing their jobs to care if a traveler has nice luggage.

[tteplitzmd]

The only thing that gets you upgraded is full fare ticket and miles to business or first, and that is not always possible. I would not buy a suit or luggage based on any expectation of being "upgraded." That kind of thing went away years ago.

Globe-Trotter was not interested in my request for leaher straps on the trolley---and this was only 6 months ago. I tend to buy one every June when I am in London, and order several months in advance from Brown's. The Box always says "one off" ---brown's can sell you more color combinations than their web site shows, but the black, or certain other combinations are cheaper than the flagship Burlington Arcade shop models. That said, Browns can get you anything they make, but the factory is rather difficult in my experience as an owner of three of their cases.

As an aside, because I fear being forced to chedk the 21" trolley at times, I have affixed the key to the handle on a key ring, hoping that the security/baggage handlers will use the key to unlock the checked bag if need be, rather than deystroying the locked trolley. It absolutely will open up if checked, unless it is locked, so caveat emptor. As a carry on this is not an issue. I did purchase the cheap strapping belts to use in the event it is checked. The integal leather straps on the non trolley models would easily solve this problem, but the factory is not interested in my recommendation.

[stephen]

I use a wheeled Hartmann Wings. I find it attractive and practical. I've had it for six years of frequent travel and it's still in good condition. Plus, I've never seen another one like it; which makes it easy to spot on the carousel among a sea of ubiquitous black bags.

Stephen

[stbdtack]

Tumi, Tumi and more Tumi depending on the needs of the particular trip. I travel extensively -- flying well over 100,000 miles per year and have been doing so for the past 17 years. I'm still using my original Tumi 3-suit garment bag that I bought 10 years ago -- it has been overstuffed and put in checked luggage around the world many times. Ugly, perhaps, but very functional and DURABLE.

I carry a nice Swaine Adeney Brigg leather brief case when I'm in town but switch to my beat-up Tumi leather brief while traveling -- I always bring along a classy looking Swaine Adeney folio in order to look presentable at meetings on the road.

If you're a hard traveler you really need professional tools that will stand up to the rigors of modern transportation. Of course, if you have your own private rail car, infinitely more elegant solutions are available .

[TVD]

Well, I must say that my ten year old briddle hide bag is not doing 100,000 miles a year, but it stil looks acceptable after a lot of bad treatment. Also no chance that it would be erroneously picked up by anybody else from the conveyor belt.

God, I love that scene in "the pursuit of love" where the heroine is rescued because of the splendour of her necessaire. Good old days of elegance. When did you last see one of those...

Dunhill offered a number of stunning straw coloured (purple morocco lined) hand stitched cases this season. I would have happily mortgaged my future to buy them if there were a way to force airport luggage handlers to behave themselves. You know what a prestine suitcase is to them: a challenge! If they were worthy of it, I should suggest Christ Church meadows at dawn, but alas, that is only a solution appropriate for equals and betters.

[JMurphy]

Speaking of protective covers---I once represented a man who took his family (wife and four children) to Greece. As they were waiting at baggage claim they saw their luggage coming out. When they retrieved it they realized that someone had taken all of their clothing out of the Louis Vuitton luggage, inserted the clothing back into the canvas protective covers and made off with the luggage!

[Incroyable]

Speaking of protective covers---I once represented a man who took his family (wife and four children) to Greece. As they were waiting at baggage claim they saw their luggage coming out. When they retrieved it they realized that someone had taken all of their clothing out of the Louis Vuitton luggage, inserted the clothing back into the canvas protective covers and made off with the luggage!

I am not sure I understand this. How could they not tell the luggage was stolen if only the protective covers remained?

Was it the hard suitcases?

[Incroyable]

Globe-Trotter was not interested in my request for leaher straps on the trolley---and this was only 6 months ago. I tend to buy one every June when I am in London, and order several months in advance from Brown's. The Box always says "one off" ---brown's can sell you more color combinations than their web site shows, but the black, or certain other combinations are cheaper than the flagship Burlington Arcade shop models. That said, Browns can get you anything they make, but the factory is rather difficult in my experience as an owner of three of their cases.

I believe in order to get the leather straps on the trolley cases, etc. you have to purchase their Centenary collection luggage, which costs more.

Globetrotter also had a special edition of luggage with colorful linings by a Japanese artists. Apparently the firm is quite a cult maker in Japan.

[Incroyable]

[quote="Mark Seitelman"]It is interesting that when vintage Vuitton luggage goes on sale/auction, many people use it for either storage or furniture. It's too fragile for air travel.

A friend gave me the new Louis Vuitton history. It's a beautiful coffee table book. I'll look at it and dream.quote]

I suppose if one had small valises or such from Vuitton or Goyard it would be suitable for carry-on.

The steamer and wardrobe trunks are beautiful. perfect for bespoke suits. They also had shoe trunks.

[ThomasG]

As a young man I was given a set (four pieces) of Hartman leather belting luggage from my grandfathers estate. The set was in pristine condition but within a few years of moderate airline travel it was trashed. The last straw was a Florida trip where I flew into Ft.Lauderdale Airport, hopped a cab (luggage stored in the trunk) and drove through a heavy rainstorm to my home. On arrival, the driver opened the trunk to reveal my leather luggage floating in two feet of water. I was speechless and the driver said, "Ive got to get that leak fixed". I'm usually a generous tipper but.........................

I'm a Tumi man now, some leather carry ons but mostly ballistic nylon.

[andrei67]

I am loyal to Lancel (they even called today to invite to their party).
This affair began with the blue and tan canvas/ hide duffle, then upgraded to the suit carrier and an overnighter (plus scarves/ gloves and other trinkets for the better half )

[Robert Watkins]

I agree with TVD: I find wheeled luggage awkward and unattractive.

Crouch and Fitzgerald, back in the days when they supplied luggage to the carriage trade, used to sell wonderul all-leather "three suiters." When I was last in there about ten years ago, they said their supplier (a small American company) had gone out of business and no one else could make them.

I have been very pleased with the nylon and leather bags made by Glaser Designs in San Francisco. Most pieces are made when ordered, and they are very receptive to modifying their standard designs. Selection of leathers and quality control are excellent.

Robert

[E. Tage Larsen]

Dear Gents,

I've been sporting a Mandarina Duck carry on for a few years that keeps me in good stead. I refuse to become laden with wheels and still hold to having to carry my own bag or finding a porter to carry it for me. I don't own a garment bag that i'm happy with but i remember being envious of an exgirlfriend's Vuitton bag which seemed to travel the conveyor belt effortlessly. The search continues for a great weekend bag.

My question to fellow Loungers is how does one travel with ties? My silk ties never return home without wearing the miles.

[Incroyable]

Have you tried tie cases?

They are rather longish affairs in which the ties can be stored without being crushed or rolled up.