And Now, 4 Chic Luggage Brands Our Editors Always Recommend

Over the past year, I’ve become accustomed to travelling back and forth on the Eurostar. My trips to France have taught me the importance of owning carry-on luggage you can depend on, as few travel woes are worse than luggage that falls apart at the seams. Much like a working wardrobe, a streamlined collection of luggage can make travel more pleasant—from the pleasure of a smooth glide to organised compartments and packing cubes, to categorise and compress your load.

I’ve become a real luggage fiend and searched for the most compact carry-on suitcases and holdalls (with ingenious space-saving tips), to make trips smooth sailing. Laptop sleeves, charging ports and hidden laundry bags are features that make my heart sing as much as the next frock. 

I’ve also taken to ‘spot the luggage’ in waiting areas and marvelling at people's extreme efforts to keep their luggage scratch free (can you blame them?), tuned into award-winning pieces that may have gone over my head some years ago and sought out bags that are big enough to fit an outfit, or three.

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(Image credit: @audrey.leighton)

There are a few renowned brands and classic travel companions that you’re likely to spot at any travel interchange, from Rimowa’s premium aluminium swathed cases to Longchamp’s Original Le Pilage—a firm favourite since its release in 1993, which goes to show its reliance. You may also be familiar with Antler for its ribbed hardshell cases and US-born brand Away, which produce a compressive interior feature, for optimal space saving. 

I’m not the only one who sees the importance of a sturdy carry-on case, take it from the team, who just so happen to be frequent travellers.

Joy Ejaria, social media editor, says "In a dream world where money is no object, I would love Louis Vuitton's Horizon range. They're peak luxury and can stand the test of time”, which reminds me of the phase when it was rare to journey through an airport without spotting a Louis Vuitton Speedy.

Away is a firm favourite of Affiliates Editor Emily Dawes, who states "I've had my set of Away suitcases for several years now and they're so hardwearing, I think I'd have to call them my favourite luggage brand. Plus, I'm always shocked at how much they can fit in. I also have their softer Everywhere bag, which is the perfect weekender—it has so many clever pockets in places you never even knew you needed!”

Keep on reading to see and the best carry-on luggage as recommended by theBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing team. If you’re in the market for luggage that’s both practical and chic this summer, we’ve got you covered.

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(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

Shop Our Editors' Favourite Carry-On Luggage Brands

1. Samsonite

"My go-to luggage brand has to be Samsonite. Sturdy, practical and fuss-free, the brand's cases have never, ever failed me. In fact, before I moved abroad a few years ago, my parents gifted me a full set, including a cabin bag, full-sized suitcase and mid-sized iteration that is great for shorter trips when hand luggage just won't do!" - Poppy Nash, Managing Editor

2. Antler

I'm newly acquainted with Antler but I've been nothing but impressed with my latest piece of luggage. It's fast become a personal favourite of mine and not to mention an upgrade on my previous (well-used) luggage set. Like my clothing choices, I like to invest in well-made pieces that will stay with me for the foreseeable. Thanks to the lifetime warranty, that'll be the case with these. Specifications are also important. I look for a cabin case with the maximum dimensions that are accepted by most airlines, but as I often travel by train I can get away with something a little larger. It's worth noting that all Antler cases come with a lifetime warranty, so it really is a lifetime investment.

3. Away

"My current favourite is Away, I recently got myself The Carry-on, and honestly I don't know how I ever travelled with anything else. They thought about everything from the laptop compartment to the hidden laundry bag. I'm now desperate for The Medium and The Large ahead of my next trip." - Joy Ejaria, Social Media Editor

4. Rimowa

"If money was no object I would absolutely opt for a Rimowa. I've heard the engineering and craftsmanship behind their design make them well worth the investment. They're super high-tech, and the lifetime guarantee means you'll never have to buy another piece of luggage again." - Emily Dawes, Affiliates Editor

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Next Up, I'm A Fashion Editor Who Is Obsessed With Italy - 7 Spots I Recommend Visiting

Opening Image: @emilisindlev

Freelance Fashion Editor

Avalon Afriyie is a freelance writer and storyteller based in London. She specialises in sustainable fashion, health and the narratives of marginalised communities. She has a background in fashion show production and styling, having previously worked on The Clothes Show and with the Lyst Group. Since graduating in 2013 with a BA (Hons) in English and contemporary media, she’s worked as a feature writer for an independent publication and a contributor for Quill’s creator network. She now marries her passion for words and style, writing for some of the most esteemed fashion and lifestyle publications,Best Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK and Stylist. Avalon also provides copywriting services, creative consultancy, and visual media for independent businesses, including travel guides, interviews, press releases and blog posts. Her work has been featured on Lush, Contiki, Youswim and Ohne. She spends her days writing to her heart’s content for business and pleasure, shooting on film and dreaming of residing a stone’s throw away from the ocean with her love and a pup (clad in a sweeping frock, of course). She’s currently penning ideas for a book of personal essays and free verse poetry on love, life and the stages in between.