HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TRAVEL BAG

Boasting the ability to take you from A to Z and back again, designer travel bags are the ultimate practical accessory. But far from merely being luggage, bags offering copious amounts of space are luxury status symbols for the wealthy and fashion elite. From vintage Louis Vuitton luggage displaying the house’s iconic Monogram insignia to supersized Chanel duffle bags big enough to hold a glamorous weekend’s worth of outfits, designer bags for travel have become the ultimate functional carryalls found on he arms (and private jets) of the rich and famous. These styles are not only known for their beautiful design and ability to hold a lot. Women’s designer travel bags are revered as a display of overt wealth and luxury far beyond personal style and taste.

Over the years, countless luxury brands have released their designer travel bags in an attempt to capitalise on the growing phenomenon of stylish travel. The result is a cohort of spacious, timeless and often logoed bags that have successfully made their way from the runway to the hold of many private jets. But what's the story behind the wealthy’s obsession with luxury travel bags and were these roomy designs always so glamorous?  

The History of Designer Travel Bags

Before designer bags were regarded as a signifier of wealth and good taste, travel bags were inherently linked to overtly opulent lifestyles. In the 19th century, travel for the wealthy began to take off and one Parisian trunk maker in particular took notice. Responding to the wealthy’s increasing need for luggage owing to the rise in train and automobile travel during the 19th century, Louis Vuitton founded his maison in 1854 and began to make trunks for the rich. He quickly earned a reputation as one of the premier trunk makers in the world, becoming a favourite craftsman of the French aristocracy and even landing a job as a personal packer and trunk maker for the Empress of France, Eugenie de Montijo.

There’s no brand as synonymous with the spirit of travel as Louis Vuitton and for a good reason. Louis Vuitton redefined the very concept of luxury travel. In 1858, the malletier introduced the very first flap-top trunk. The design’s shape allowed it to be stacked, making it perfect for travel. Previously, trunks had sported a rounded top so that rain would fall off of them easily. But Vuitton overcame this issue by crafting his flat-top trunk from sturdy, water-proof canvas. The style instantly became the gold standard of luxury travel accessories and his invention is considered the birth of modern luggage.

In the 1880s, the Maison created the first pick-proof lock, an ingenious single-lock system with two spring buckles designed to protect clients’ belongings. This style of lock is still used on the brand’s trunks and bags today, serving as a reminder of Vuitton’s travel heritage and the trust tastemakers have long placed in the Maison to transport their possessions all over the globe.

Luxury brands’ links to travel are not exclusive to Louis Vuitton. Other big names like Moynat and Goyard have long trunk-making histories. The likes of Gucci have used the glamorous aesthetic of international travel to influence their collections. Designer travel bags are now regarded as high fashion status symbols, routinely popping up in editorial spreads for the world’s most revered fashion publications, including Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. In recent years, luxury luggage and designer bags for travel have been involved in high-profile designer and artist collaborations. One of the most notable is the sought-after Louis Vuitton x Supreme collection from 2017 which saw the famous skateboarding brand’s logo emblazoned onto Louis Vuitton’s Keepall and trunk designs.

Louis Vuitton Trunks

A luxury fashion icon, the Louis Vuitton trunk is one of the most famous designer travel bags ever. Sturdy, classic and instantly recognisable, this vintage suitcase bag is beloved not only for its practical appeal but also for its reputation as an iconic status symbol of wealth and taste. The design has consolidated its place in fashion history and is the product most associated with Louis Vuitton despite being launched over 150 years ago. The boxy creation was first released in plain grey canvas before the striking striped Trianon canvas was introduced. But it wasn’t until the late 19th century that the canvas prints most commonly associated with the label today first appeared on the famous trunk design. In 1888, the house introduced the now iconic checked Damier pattern. Then in 1896, Louis Vuitton’s son, Georges Vuitton, invented what would become the label’s most significant design feature and one of the most recognisable emblems in the world - the Monogram canvas.

Louis Vuitton’s trunks have since become popularised in various prints and materials, from the Maison’s popular Epi leather to collectable iterations that are routinely sold for tens of thousands of pounds at auction.

Louis Vuitton Keepall

If the Louis Vuitton trunk is the brand’s most renowned vintage suitcase bag, then the Louis Vuitton Keepall is its most iconic travel bag. Perfect for carrying by hand thanks to its practical top handles or slung over the shoulder with the strap available on the Bandoulière version, this practical carryall is the go-to bag of choice for style-seekers on the go looking for a spacious design they can transport with ease. Despite its introduction almost a decade ago as a modern weekend bag, the Keepall is regarded as one of the house’s trendiest styles. It’s regularly the star of collections and limited-edition capsules, with unique iterations such as Stephen Sprouse’s Graffiti version among the most popular Louis Vuitton pre-owned Keepall designs available on the luxury resale market.  

The Keepall laid the foundation for another of Louis Vuitton’s most iconic designs. The Speedy was in fact, created as a miniature version of the popular design suitable for everyday use, again reinforcing the influence that designer travel bags have had on the Louis Vuitton brand.

Goyard

While lesser-known than Louis Vuitton, Goyard has long been an integral player within the designer travel bags market. Dating back to the 1700s, the House of Goyard was founded on the concept of impeccable craftsmanship. While the brand’s large trunks and vintage suitcase bag creations are a staple amongst their offering of luxury goods, Goyard’s selection of supersized totes and duffles have become some of luxury’s most functional designer travel bags. Favourites include the Goyard Boeing travel bag. 

Chanel Duffle Bags

The House of Chanel is best known for popularising the shoulder bag with its legendary 2.55 and Classic Flap styles. However, the label is no stranger to success when it comes to larger, travel-appropriate designs. Duffle bags, in particular, have become a favourite larger style amongst Chanel aficionados. Roomy, practical and boasting the ability to carry anything, pre-owned Chanel duffle bags are a departure from the house’s beloved compact and logoed designs that fit snugly under the shoulder whilst retaining the signature charm of a Chanel bag.

Supersized Hermès Bags for Travel

Large totes are an undisputable Hermès classic, beloved for their functional yet everyday appeal. But the Parisian house also boasts a cohort of covetable designer bags for travel. Sleek and supersized, these striking Hermès styles stand out. Paying homage to Maison’s equestrian roots, Hermès travel bags prove sturdy and practical. Take the fan-favourite Haut À Courroies, commonly referred to as the HAC. It was initially designed in the early 20th century to hold a saddle and riding boots, but today is most commonly used as a travel bag for weekend trips. Other sought-after Hermès designer weekend travel bags include an extra-large iteration of the classic Kelly design.

So whether you’re looking for vintage trunks that can be passed down to each new generation or simply a weekend carryall perfect for holding holiday necessities, browse our collection of designer travel bags at Rewind Vintage Affairs.