Retro Travel Bags

I can't get enough of these retro travel bags from brands like samsonite and american tourister. What are the equivalents of these bags now that we will look back on with nostalgia?

From the piping to the chevron on the zip closure the details are really nice, it also helps that this bag is in great condition. This one was found on Etsy, one of my favourite places to find these kinds of bags.

Check out this tumblr blog featuring nostalgia and inspiration from this era.

http://goodordering.tumblr.com/

GIANT BACKPACK

This is a giant back pack, there is no other way of describing it. It looks particular funny because of its oversized proportions like it has been simply scaled up in adobe photoshop. I love the simplicity of it and the fact that it only has one main compartment and a simple front pocket. Probably not the most ergonomic bag in the world, but worthy of a saturday posting here.

Definitely a good one for my "oversized bags" link: click HERE

Curved edged suitcases. Are these real or is it an effect?

They are in fact real and by french luggage company Moynat
 It is called the Limousine Briefcase with a concave base inspired by the Limousine trunk.

Home is Where the Bag is by Jo Meesters

I love this oversized bag by Jo Meesters.

LIBERTY SUITCASE HANDBAG

The Liberty collaboration with Merci store in Paris was very cool. Here is one of the little suitcase style bags that resulted. It is the perfect marriage i think- beautiful graphic print in soft cotton coupled with a classic 'globetrotter' style case with wood details.


The price was really great too, i think it was less than £30 or something like that. The Merci store is definitely worth a visit... or 10. I go there every time i go to paris, and i get slightly lost getting there every time too.

http://www.merci-merci.com/

80S VINTAGE TAPESTRY BRIEFCASES

I have been at it again on etsy... and i got mildly obsessed with these highly 80s briefcases. I imagine when working women started hitting the pavement ala Melanie Griffiths... the bag designers out there had to come up with something equally as striking.


The designer had obviously just got back from a holiday in Egypt when this bag was being designed.


No, this one is not strictly a briefcase, and in fact, its not really 80s but a bit more on the 70s side... But i like it anyway.


I do actually love this solid briefcase. Its like some person has thought... what do you get if you mix a 'normal' mens briefcase with pretty flowery things that women like... i know... its a cross between aunt mildred's sofa and a standard work case.


This one above is a sort of american aztec meets bed linen design. It definitely provides some good clashing pattern to ensure full impact clash with any other elements of the outfit.


This one, i actually want for myself... but its a shame i don't really have any important business meetings to attend on a regular basis.

EXTREME HANDBAG BAGS

THESE ARE EQUISITE, thought-providing and beautifully made. Nothing else to be said.
Crafted Fashion collection by Williams British Handmade www.williams-handmade.com

1970s VINTAGE LUGGAGE

I really love bags from the 1970s. I'm not sure whether its because its the obligatory 30 years ago to make them cool again or because i love vinyl. These bags below are vintage travel bags of the Samsonite and American Tourister variety made for the early days of mass plane travel.


The location of this umbrella pocket on the tote above is just superb.


And who can resist and angled front zip pocket.



This front pocket which is neither integrated or loose is also a winner. Looking slightly awkward stuck onto the front of this navy vinyl number. Even the width of the shoulder strap - neither wide nor narrow gets my creative bag juices flowing.


What about this suitcase sans wheels. I love the slightly elongated profile of it and the rounded badge stuck smack bang in the centre.


Loving the sliding shoulder pad!


And the very sight of this bag above reminds me of flared trousers and the Brady Bunch.


And, yes, you can have it all with this full family set of mustard coloured luggage. Who's up for a trip to Disneyland?

SUITCASE PET BED

As i have discovered there are a few different suitcase pet beds out there, even some instructions on how to make them. But i especially love these, as i think the antique style legs on them are so gorgeous. (not to mention the cats).


I found them on this fab site called recycleart.com which features loads of different ideas of making things out of old other things.... otherwise known as recycling.


I can't really speak properly today so i won't say much else except that these are such a great ideas of what to do with an old suitcase, particularly if you have a spare pet lying around the house (which i do). The hanging luggage tag which doubles as a toy is particularly cute.

LOUIS VUITTON PERSONALISED

There have been a of brands getting into this 'personalised / customised' area of accessories branding. People are looking for something special, well, beyond special even, they are looking for something UNIQUE.


Its easy enough for luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton to do this, afterall, they have always done it. Starting out in custom made luggage, the brand seem to have come full circle from their mass made luxury epi-leather super branded bags that we have come to see all over the place.


Here are some photos of bags that i took at a recent press day. They show the range of classic monogram bags adorned with stripes of colour and initialed in a modern painted style.


The idea is that you purchase the bag from a LV stores and choose your colour branding and state the initals that you wanted painted onto it. When the artwork is complete they post it out to you or you come and pick it up in store. Its a pretty chic way to customise the bags, but i say that they should go a step further and you should be able to take your old LV bags into the store for a bit of a graphic revival. I think slick modern paint on an old worn in LV bag would look fab. Much better than a brand new one, and LV would also be doing their bit for the old environment at the same time encouraging people to treaure their old vintage bags and think twice before buying a new one.

Vintage Luggage Christies

From the recent Christie's Auction of vintage luggage.

Two canvas and leather suitcases

Hermès

Mid 20th century

Cream coloured fabric with matching leather strapping

71 x 43 x 21.6cm. and 56 x 35.5 x 16.5cm.

Monogrammed 'APW'

Estimate: £1,500-2,000

Two fine black cases
Dunhill and Anthony
The first of black leather, in semi-circular form, with one
fitted tray and gunmetal hardware, Dunhill; the second of
black fabric with leather strapping, lined in moire with
various pockets, gilt hardware, monogrammed 'JR', T.
Anthony New York
43 x 47 x 18cm. and 45.7 x 45.7 x 31.75cm.
Estimate: £800-1,000

A monogram hard-side case and cover
Louis Vuitton
Numbered '964188'
75 x 49.5 x 21.6cm.
Estimate: £600-800

Old Fashioned Luggage

Hermes old fashioned suitcase, remade for the modern romantic traveller.


Modern - retro suitcases by Hermes. These remind me of the jet age.

And the ever-classic Globetrotter suitcase.

Vintage Suitcases

I couldn't resist but to post this image, not exactly practical for weekends away but its definitely the grand master babushka of suitcases.

Posh Luggage

Posh luggage is back in, its all about the return of luxury. Depsite the current economic craziness, you wouldn't think that many people are travelling let alone investing in expensive and not so functional luggage, but i actually think that there is a new appreciation for classic luxury pieces.


Sorry, i'm not sure where this luggage is from and who it is by, it looks like Globetrotter, and probably is, but i can't remember.

The great thing about this style of boxy luggage is that you can stack them or store them on display when not in use rather than hiding them away in a back wardrobe as you would do with most modern luggage available these days.

Crumpler Luggage pieces

I have to admit, i love crumpler. the stuff is so damned well made, its indisputable. I would love to work for this company, they are based in Vietnam, heres a few pics of their travel pieces, a solid move on from their famous messengers.






All details down to their zip pulls are very moorish. if crumpler were a food, they might be cashew nuts.

Stella McCartney and LeSportsac

Stella McCartney has teamed up with LeSportsac to create a range of bags that have a distinct baby-ish feel possibly influenced by her own motherhood experience. Theres loads of different styles and shapes and in true LeSportsac style, the shapes are very commerical. However, I always ask the same question when it comes to mummy bags - why do they look so baby-ish when its normally a grown mum or dad carrying it?


Cute that is comes with a matching soft toy and hats off to the orange / slate colourway which is a little less babyish but still merchandises well with the prints.


Despite the ridiculously low cost body fabric used in LeSportsac, the bags actually seem pretty resiliant, so i imagine they are making their customers happy as well as making a killer margin.

Paul Smith

Paul Smith

Paul Smith

Paul Smith

SUITCASES

Marc Newson for Samsonite

Louis Vuitton

Tumi

Roxy