Roll With It

Dec 11, 2007 @ 12:40pm

We were talking with a friend recently about travelling home for the holidays, and the inevitable subject of packing came up.

She said that packing would be so much easier this year since she just bought a new Prada duffel bag… for $1,285. There was a pause in the conversation- we’ve been using the same rolling Eddie Bauer we bought at Target for several years (under $50.)

We were confused- does luggage matter? We think of it as a flexible box to keep your stuff in when you’re travelling, and as long as it rolls and stays closed, it’s good.

Our friend said that it ruins it for her when she puts her carefully selected wardrobe into a cheap bag, but we kind of think that dropping over $1,000 on a nylon bag would ruin our wardrobe. And it’s not just her- even Lisa Armstrong of the London Times just wrote about designing her own valise through Louis Vuitton, saying that she’s “fantasized” about the perfect piece of weekend luggage.

Do you spend a lot of money to accessorize for the check-in line at JFK? Or is this one of those minor purchases, like thermals or ponytail holders?

posted by Katie

Dec 11, 2007 1:08PM

I definitely don't want fancy expensive luggage at the airport because I don't want to be a target for thieves.

posted by old soul

Dec 11, 2007 1:16PM

Nope. I travel a TON and I don't want nice luggage because it seems akin to painting a big target on my things. It's like screaming "steal my stuff."

Plus, I had a $1000 suitcase once and it could not handle my travel schedule and fell apart. Very annoying. My $100 Costco suitcase, on the other hand, has held up admirably.

posted by xxi

Dec 11, 2007 1:17PM

No thanks to overpriced luggage. Unless I'm traveling private jet or first class, neither of which is happening any time soon for me. Well not until my Parsons degree pays off. hahaha

Besides I feel better knowing whats inside is expensive and won't be targeted because my luggage is average looking.

posted by rachael

Dec 11, 2007 1:23PM

Its more of a practical issue for me. I have a set of 3 rolling bags...a carry on, mid-size, and giant, all in red. I think I bought them at TJ Maxx. But they're durable, they match, and they are just what I need. As for a nice weekend bag, I have a giant Longchamp that is perfect to stuff. I think one day I would like to own a nice piece of Louis Vuitton luggage, but its just not a priority to me right now. I'd rather spend my money elsewhere.

posted by leia

Dec 11, 2007 1:31PM

Yeah, I'd rather spend my money elsewhere....but I do love DVF luggage, it's cute, and can handle my 50% travel job fairly well. But I buy mine on sale at TJMaxx for $50!

posted by FWD

Dec 11, 2007 1:37PM

Hahahaha. No thanks. I'd feel tremendously pretentious lugging that around, even in 1st class.

posted by guest

Dec 11, 2007 1:41PM

Now, I think if you travelled a lot and had the opportunity to get the perfect luggage for your needs, then the money might be worth it. This doesn't of course mean that the luggage has to be Vuitton or Prada, but if you have to spend more money to get what you need, that's just fine. I personally don't travel all that much, and I use a tiny suitcase for occasional weekend trips. I'm not even sure it's a known brand; I might have even gotten it at BigLots! I do occasionally travel for work, and for that, I would love to find the perfect laptop case/suitcase combo so I don't have to lug around two bags, but I don't want to spend more than $50. Anyway, luggage gets battered. I wouldn't want an expensive bag to get battered.

posted by Laia

Dec 11, 2007 1:46PM

Your friend should probably never check her bag or she runs a real chance of losing it.

And I agree with you, as long as it's sturdy and stays close, I'm good. I have a hugu suitcase that prolly cost 200 bucks from JCPenney that I used to move to college whenever ago and now it's my winter sweater storage. For general travel I have a LeSprtsac Duffel from Urbn that cost 80 bucks and fits everything in and then fits in the overhead compartment.

posted by guest

Dec 11, 2007 2:23PM

For those of us who aren't lucky enough to fly on our own private jet, I like to think in terms of "what's the nicest piece of luggage I can buy that won't get stolen?". Prada luggage is just asking to get snatched.

Hartmann luggage fits the bill quite nicely. Tasteful and comes in a khaki color that won't get lost in a sea of black luggage at the baggage pick-up.

posted by miss

Dec 11, 2007 2:34PM

ha! i actually, for the first time ever, asked for a nice new luggage set for christmas. and by nice i don't mean LV but i mean some super sturdy quality like Tumi or the nice samsonite lines. and in army green or dark grey so it doesn't stand OUT but stands apart.

i love flying and the satisfaction of having a sleek coordinated set just thrills me!

posted by rasha

Dec 11, 2007 3:29PM

i have a big red samsonite and i love it. it's sturdy but smart looking. classic, and it can handle being thrown around by careless airport people. i think it was only like $100 at macy's two xmas's ago...

as for weekends: lesportsac weekenders. and i have no idea how but mine always go perfectly with what i'm wearing. and it's fits a lot too. i took it once to russia when i was staying there for a month, and i also used it to stay in jerusalem for two months last summer. i get compliments on mine all the time.. again, the money. i think maybe it was $50?

posted by guest

Dec 11, 2007 3:56PM

I have a set of Tumi ballistic luggage that cost a million dollars 10 years ago, but which has been indestructible. If I had to do it over again, I would just get the expandable cases. For those of us who like to shop, those zippers are a lifesaver.

I am actually getting a rolling laptop bag for Christmas (not Prada, though.)

posted by RayBay

Dec 11, 2007 4:40PM

I have a large black Sisley duffel bag for carry ons, and a slightly beat up leather vintage suitcase for checking. That seems to be enough, although when I travel internationally (usually to visit the fam in italy) I usually borrow a nondescript monster of a suitcase so as to fit all my new clothing, shoe, and alimentary purchases.

I wouldn't use a LV or Prada suitcase if you paid me! Seriously, a luxury suitcase is to thieves what milk and cookies are to Santa Clause.

posted by Annmarie

Dec 11, 2007 5:34PM

Last year I spent $85 on a black studded duffel bag at Pema on Bedford Ave and it may have been the purchase of he year. It looks good, gets a ton of compliments, holds enough stuff without being unliftable, but best of all I dont freak out if it falls out of overhead storage.

posted by kenya

Dec 11, 2007 5:38PM

have you ever seen the way they handle baggage at airports? im going with something durable and not too bulky, probably from target.

posted by guest

Dec 12, 2007 3:34AM

Haha, I thought I was the only one who was paranoid of getting their bags stolen.

But yeah, even if I could afford it I would buy expensive luggage. Too risky, I'd be worrying all flight about whether or not someone will steal it.

posted by pratishtha

Dec 12, 2007 7:01AM

I got married two years ago and invested in a set of sturdy Samsonite luggage. It works for me. I totally agree that expensive luggage can make a you a target for thieves.

posted by geneva

Dec 12, 2007 9:27PM

I have DVF luggage that I love -- it's blue, so it stands out at baggage claim -- but I got it CHEAP at Lohmann's. My Prada money goes to shoes. :)

And I hate LV bags, but I sort of secretly love their giant steamer trunks. I'd use it as a coffee table,though.

posted by guest

Dec 13, 2007 3:04PM

Hey ladies...this may sound way off the wall, but for those of you who have AAA memberships, you may want to check out your local office. I picked up the sweetest London Fog luggage set for a fraction of the normal price. 16" sachel, normally $80 before taxes for $30, and a great 25" suitcase for $80, normally $125. Not toomany peole know about the savings AAA offers. in addition to a travel agency, you can save significantly on hotels, dining and alas, luggage.