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Classic Leather Luggage

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Going Back to the Classics

One of my favorite finds in a swap meet or a thrift store is a piece of leather luggage from the 40's. Before Samsonite and rolling bags, there was luggage with heft and durability that came from quality materials. And it smelled great and felt good in your hands. And of course, it was heavy.

But now, luggage manufacturers know how to make luggage that still has the charm and panache of that classic leather luggage, but which is lighter, more durable and in some cases, just as beautiful... and sometimes, even more so!

So while my thrift store luggage finds sit passively by my desk, giving off the faint air of dusty adventure and vague mystery, my new leather luggage is going to come from places like Wisecracker Luggage and Maxwell Scott! This small luggage manufacturers make bags that exude the promise of new horizons and do it with class and style.

Classic Luggage Manufacturers

for luggage with style and a little bit o' soul...

Today, most people buying luggage buy from large corporations: Samsonite, Hartmann, Eagle Creek. But if you want to buy luggage with style and soul, luggage that brings some ambiance with it, you have to find the smaller manufacturers. The ones who care about luggage, who choose the finest leather and findings and who care about style. Not style that sells, necessarily (although, I suppose that is important too)... but style that speaks to them.

There are more than a few smaller leather luggage manufacturers, but not as many as you might think. Are they a dying breed? I hope not! When I want to buy a bag that is going to be an able-bodied companion on my travels and then graduate to an heirloom, I go to one of these manufacturers and buy directly from them. I mean, one of the reasons I buy this luggage is so that I have something not everyone else has... and the manufacturers have the best selection of their products so I can choose exactly what I want.

A New Favorite

Sometimes something new is an INSTANT classic!

I fell in love with this bag the minute I saw it...online! And now, I own it. It was made by the people at Mulholland, and the bad news is that they don't sell it anymore. The good news about that comes in two parts. First, I own one of the few of them ever made....I love that! It's nice to be different. Second, the people who designed this beautiful bag have started their own line of luggage, Wisecracker Luggage (http://www.wisecrackerluggage.com).

Why do I love this bag? Well, let's start with the classic outline. The basic shape and construction of the bag is simple, sophisticated... just big enough to hold enough and just small enough to not be too heavy doing it. I use it as a carry-on when I travel. It looks awesome, it's light (well, not after I load it up, but it doesn't ADD to how heavy it becomes), and it just fits over my shoulder. And, if you can believe it, it fits in the overhead luggage rack AND under the seat. How cool is that?

And then the leather...stamped with that subtle but very classic labyrinth design. I love that the labyrinth is a spiritual element in design, a path to enlightment. Just gives this bag a little extra something special. But even without its ethereal undertones, this Labyrinth Satchel is my definition of beauty in a bag.

So What Happened to the Designers?

They started a new boutique designer luxury luggage line...

Wisecracker Luggage makes unique quality luggage for low-key travelers with high standards. They call what they have an "edited" collection... I'd never heard that before. What they mean is that they have edited out all the extraneous bags, all the bags that you don't really need. Every bag in their collection is a classic, a bag you will use over and over and over again. Their bags include wheeled rolling bags, carry-on bags, briefcases, messenger bags and totes.

Wisecracker Luggage is starting to get a lot of press in fashion circles... people who know fashion are lovin' it. How do I know this? Well, the luggage just got mentioned today in Thrillist (http://www.thrillist.com/style/nation/wisecracker-luggage_bags_gear_online-shops). That's a bit of a thrill, isn't it?

These boys are goin' places with their luggage (both literally and figuratively) and I'm watching where they go!

A Unique Bag

from Wisecracker

Women's version of the Wisecracker Luggage Pet Carrier

Wisecracker's most unique bags are their luxury pet carriers (there is a version for men and one for women). For those of us who must take our pets everywhere, these bags are a dream come true. Why? Because frankly, I don't want to look like Paris Hilton or Lindsey Lohan when I carry my pet on board the plane. But I also don't want to look like I just picked something up at the local pet store. These pet carriers are the most luxurious I have ever seen... for both the carrier AND the carried! Just imagine being a little cat or dog looking out of those big picture windows!

Some of the Best

leather luggage I've found...

Here are a few links to classic, leather luggage manufacturers with bags that I love.

A Woman's Version of the Luxury Pet Carrier: This is the ultimate in beautiful Pet Carry on Bags! It is made of beautiful Italian leather, with hand-picked findings and zippers and tabs and everything else from Italy. The stitching is exquisite. The bag is strong, but very light... and has the signature Wisecracker lined fabric inside. And oh, imagine being that little dog or cat inside! Those screened sides afford a beautiful large view with lots of fresh air, and there is a "flying carpet" tray inside with a cushion to make travel that much easier for everyone.
Palermo Shoulder Bag: Roomy, yes. And buttery! This bag looks so buttery, you wonder how they held it up to take the photo! I think if I had this bag to carry around with me all day I wouldn't need a hug. Ever.
Bellino Vanity Case: Carrying this case would tend to make me want to look in the mirror to see how classy I look carrying it... thus, the name. This classy and classic vanity case could be something I rescued from my grandmother's attic where she kept it perfectly preserved for decades after buying it on her Grand Tour of Europe in the 20's. I think I might not use it for travel... I might just sit it on the coffee table and enjoy looking at it every day.
Hippo Duffel in Lariat: If you are dreaming of safaris and Africa, this delicious bag has the strange name of "hippo duffel". I suppose because it looks like a hippo... ? In any case, it comes in this buttery leather called "Lariat" and the combination of the round shape and the soft suede-ish leather just makes me want to take it home. I might just sleep with it (don't tell my husband).
Small Gladstone: An unfortunate name for something you have to carry through airports (Glad...STONE?) but a beautiful bag. Perhaps if you can afford this bag, someone else is carrying it for you, anyway. Note the full-grain leather. Note the available monogram. Classic British tradition, indeed!
Bison Leather Duffle: Honestly, it's a bit too too Western for my taste. But if I were a wealthy cowboy, I might go for this bag. It looks rich but like it wouldn't mind getting dirty.
Modern Messenger Bag: A messenger bag that is sophisticated, respectable, strong... and with a hint of flair that makes you want to look inside. Just like you, right? This bag has all the signature quality of a Wisecracker Bag, including a large inside pouch with magnetic closure. It's made of leather and it's going to wear very well, I assure you.
Laptop Leather Tote: A laptop bag in disguise. A small piece of luggage, though. Classy, well-made, strong enough to hold all those gigabytes... and no one will ever know!
Kato Folding Valet: If Kato is the name of your valet, you're in luck! This Folding Valet is what you've been looking for if you've been looking for a folding bag for suits, shirts and other business clothes when you travel. The bag is light (made of "carbon" micro twill nylon with touches of pebble grain calf leather) and beautiful. It is designed to pack well and be easy to travel with... what every frequent business traveler needs, frankly.
Travel Steward: This looks JUST like that bag I found at the swap meet, only newer of course. Talk about classic lines. It's probably too heavy for me to really carry anywhere... but I'd love to find out. The leather looks luscious, but do you really think I'd order a bag without seeing the inside?

Classic Leather Luggage Manufacturers

Buy from the Source!

Here are links to some of our favorite leather luggage manufacturers. We believe in buying from the manufacturer's website. They have the best selection usually, and often the best service. And good return policies if you don't like something. And you can usually talk to a person who actually cares what you think about the product. All good things!

Wisecracker Luggage: Lightweight leather luxury luggage designed for the low-key frequent traveler... with everything you need, and nothing that gets in the way.
J.W.Hulme: Classic bags from Minnesota...
Maxwell Scott: Designed in England but manufactured in Italy from the finest leather...
Tusting: Sounds British, and they are! Very British.
Ghurka: Evokes images of British-occupied India, doesn't it? Nope, they're in New York. (But yes, the name comes from the leather of the boots from a Ghurka soldier...)