Travel must-haves: fashionable luggage

Young lists a few of his favourite, fashionable travel bags which will make you look stylish when you’re on the move.

When travelling, a bag shouldn’t just be about being big enough to fit everything in it, easy to hold, carry or pull, safe and waterproof – function is of course important, but fashion should not be sacrificed for it. A bag should match our outfit or personality, or at least stand out from the crowd – so many of us have been there waiting for our luggage to come out of the baggage claim area in an airport and we can’t fully remember what ours looked like because it’s so plain and boring. Or we’ve done the mean thing of judging someone because their bag is ugly.

Are you in need of some new ideas for travel bags and suitcases to take with you when you go away? If so, here are a handful of ones we think you should check out, all of which are unisex.

A big boom box is a stereotypical symbol of urban life and ‘street cred’, and you’re sure to earn some or at least get people’s heads turning with the boom box luggage by SUITSUIT (£116). It can also be used as a hand luggage and lightweight too so maybe you could even sling it over your shoulder and carry it around. Also, its mini racing car wheels give it that extra snazzy touch that makes it stand out from ordinary luggage’s plain and boring ones.

The chic, cute Mini LA Holdall bag by Paul Smith London is available from House Of Fraser (£295) and adds more than just a bit of colour and vibrancy to your life. Its pattern, adorned with a multi-coloured mini cruising down a Californian road on a sunny day is impossible to miss. The range (which is technically a men’s range – yes, really) also includes a wash bag and messenger bag in small and larger sizes if you’re one of those people who wants everything to match.

If you’re looking for a less in-your-face holdall bag, and a cheaper one, then you’re bound to find many options to choose from in high streets stores across the nation, with River Island probably having some of the best ranges. Backpacks and rucksacks are also a good must-have to take travelling and for the young and trendy (or just trendy) people, high street brands such as Topman boast a wide range to choose from, including ones with khaki camouflage patterns and even leopard print and floral designs (yes, for men – really!).

If you’re a businessman who likes his bag to look smart and stylish as well as fit pretty much everything you need for work inside, such as paperwork and a laptop, then this canvas and leather bag by Samsonite and designed by the late fashion god that is Alexander McQueen (£257 from Bags Direct) is perfect. And as the tagline goes: ‘this bag is more than a business – it’s a fashion accessory’.

The new Essensis collection by Samsonite brings a touch of elegance to travelling; its hard case, large capacity and pretty pattern mixes both style and functionality together and the collection is available in three different sizes (55cm at £139, 69cm at £149 and 75cm at £159) and three different colours – ivory, coffee and burgundy.

So don’t turn away from the opportunity to upgrade your bag collection today, and instead turn heads at the airport and on holiday. Just keep your belongings safe!