Best leather briefcases online UK shop: Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel opened shop in Paris in 1910. The era’s most famous Parisienne actresses flocked to her designs. Coco designed up until her death at 87. With bags such as the Classic Flap, the diamond quilting is synonymous with the maison. The 2.55 Bag: Named for its creation date (February, 1955), this quilted luxury handbag introduced a leather-and-chain shoulder strap that allows the bag to be carried hands-free. Classic Flap: This updated take on the 2.55 bag showcases two Chanel signatures: diamond quilting and the CC logo. Guccio Gucci admired the ritzy hotel guests he catered for. This led to a worldwide powerhouse of fashion and luxury goods. Gucci purses are often recognizable thanks to the signature Interlocking G motif. The Jackie Bag: The first hobo bag, originally called the Fifties Constance, was renamed when a certain First Lady (Jackie Kennedy) developed an enduring fondness for it. The GG Marmont: Two bags in one, thanks to its sliding chain strap, it can be worn as a shoulder bag or crossbody. The bag features signature the Double G hardware. Find more information at https://www.penshop.co.uk/pens/leather-bags.
If you prefer a duffel to a hardside suitcase but want a top-of-the-line design with wheels, check out the Tumi Large Split 2-wheeled Duffel. It’s extremely spacious: we were able to fit a week’s worth of clothes and essentials with room to spare. With so many compartments and pockets, plus a zipper divider and compression straps, packing it up was actually an enjoyable experience. This duffel bag has two recessed wheels that roll smoothly over all surfaces. It also survived our bat-hitting and drop tests without any noticeable damage. While the ballistic nylon lives up to its abrasionproof claims, it collects dirt and dust pretty easily. (You can wipe it down with a damp cloth as needed.) The price is high, but it’s backed by a five-year warranty and will likely last much longer. If you can swing it and are looking for a durable, large-capacity bag, you really can’t go wrong.
How do I choose a designer bag? If you are thinking of splurging on a new designer bag, then it is definitely worth considering a style that will stand the test of time, rather than just a one-season wonder that will eventually end up gathering dust at the back of your wardrobe. For this, the best option is either to look to the classics – some of which may have had a modern makeover, but are still very much trend-free – or to snap up designs that have an endless elegance about them (think timeless colours, seasonless silhouettes and trusty fabrics). When it comes to affordable designer handbags, APC is a great name to know. The label’s Half Moon bag is a real classic, but we also love this Grace style, which is perfect for day-to-day use.
One side of the trunk has three built-in dividers that you can snap into place or remove if you are carrying something large and would prefer one big, open cabin. After using the compartments to organize your clothing, you can zip that half of the suitcase shut, and use the two large, waterproof pockets on the divider for smaller items or toiletries. We loved how you can fit the included packing cubes into the jumbo pouch, and then buckle them in with the leather straps so that nothing inside can shift around during transit — it’s all locked into place inside the spacious trunk. During our long-term testing period after our initial lab test, we took this suitcase on a 10-day trip to South Korea with more than enough space for shopping trips and gifts for family and friends. After checking the bag, we found a small dent on one of the corners and the decorative leather trim cracked a little, but neither affected luggage performance.
Travelpro’s Platinum Elite carry-on spinner won high marks from our testers across the board. It’s made from sturdy and weather-resistant material, offers generous capacity and compact design and has smooth-rolling wheels that never snag. “It’s very simple to maneuver around, even on concrete,” one of our testers says. Speaking on its exterior, she says, “I haven’t had any tearing or scuffing yet.” The softside suitcase is also smartly outfitted with compression straps, a USB port, accessory pockets and a water-resistant toiletry bag.