.: Weekenders :.
We can't set foot on the Upper East Side of Manhattan without seeing a LeSportsac bag.
They're definitely the "it" brand for everyday bags from backpacks to messengers.
The large
and extra-large weekenders will both hold all
of your stuff. Plus, you can choose from over a dozen cute patterns.
Large Weekender $98
@ LeSportsac.com
Getting away for the weekend isn't always easy, so don't burden
yourself with a bag that makes you look gym-bound. The
best weekend bags are big enough to fit everything you need from
your clothes and toiletries to magazines and the latest chick-lit
novel.
Travel Trendy
The quilted handbag trend doesn't just end at purses. Cinda B's lovely duffel
bags combine stitching and style with a whole lot of room. Their Weekender is
the perfect size for a short but sweet getaway.
Status Bag
For a duffel that says as much about you as your Coach hobo, look no further
than Bric's --
the Life 22" duffel comes in suede-like
cotton or moc
croc with Tuscan leather trim.
The Prettiest
Not only are Ame & Lulu's
duffels some of the prettiest we've seen, but they offer personalized
embroidery on every bag. Choose from 12 beautiful fabric styles then
a font and matching color for your name.
.: Carry-ons :.
The Helen
Rae Carry-on Spinner hits all the right
notes--stylish and pretty with multiple compartments (and plenty
of space) for toiletries, shoes, laundry, or wet clothes. The
adjustable and removable shelves help even the packing-impaired
organize. The spinner wheels that make it
easier to roll and keep the bag from flipping over when you're
running between connections.
$200 @ eBags.com
Flying requires top-notch carry-on luggage. The best bags
will last you a lifetime -- or, at least a few years. They should
be easy to roll or easy to attach. And, of course, they should
have heads turning as you stroll effortlessly down the concourse.
Long Lasting
Zero Halliburton bags have proved their 'mettle' over the years with aluminum
cases that hold up against the rigors of constant travel. The Zeroller is
lighter than it looks and, with a myriad of colors to choose from, more attractive
than its origins would suggest.
All-in-one
Business travel often requires a laptop and most carry-on pullmans aren't built
to accommodate them. The versatile Solo Case Rolling
Laptop Traveler has a section for your clothes that includes a suiter
to stave off wrinkles and a special section in the front that holds a removable
laptop case.
Best for Business
When you need all the space in your carry-on for clothes, slip the Coakley
Travel Portfolio on the
handle and roll right into the meeting. The compartments hold
your laptop, ID, passport, PDA, accessories, files, and much more.
.: Checked Bags :.
High Sierra's 25" 'Level'
wheeled upright is a solid bag built to survive frequent travel.
It's highly compartmentalized and versatile with spots for shoes,
wet clothes, toiletries, underwear, etc. You can fit ten day's
worth of clothing and accessories and still have a bit of room.
$152 @ WorldTraveler.com
Checking bags can be a pain, but if you're embarking on a vacation
or a business trip longer than four days you can't always avoid
it. Still, it helps if you can get everything you need into one
big bag and save the carry-on for the latest Dan Brown and Vanity
Fair.
Best For Business
Keep your wrinkle worries at bay with a bag that will help you look good for
the big meeting. The Victorinox
Deluxe Garment Mobilizer folds over to minimize bulk and includes compartments
that tuck into the corners for shoes, underwear, and anything else. The smaller Samsonite
X'ion sports many of the same features plus spinner wheels.
Most Innovative
Whether you overpack from the start or return with more than you took, determining
weight is essential to avoiding extra fees. Ricardo Beverly Hills brilliantly
devised luggage with a built-in
scale.
The Prettiest
With Liz Claiborne you never have to choose style over substance. The expandable Marina suitcase
is attractive inside and out. A big bonus is the plastic compartment for toiletries
or wet clothes. The spinner wheels make it easy to maneuver, even when full.
.: Luggage Sets :.
Hard-case luggage used to be heavy, boxy, and not so chic. Now
we have the Heys XCASE
Upright Luggage Set. They look a bit futuristic and employ
space-age technology to keep them light yet ultra-durable. The
handles curve gently to ease the pressure on your arm even if
you've packed the kitchen sink.
$235 @ SmartBargains.com
Nothing makes one feel more like a sophisticated globetrotter
than a matching set of beautiful luggage. Getting a set with
a distinctive look eliminates the need to grab every similar-looking
bag as they come around the carousel.
Status Bag
Louis
Vuitton luggage, like all of their bags, projects style and elegance. They
don't sell as a complete set, but if you have one, you have to have the others.
Whether you need rolling
uprights, a duffel,
or a carry-on,
Louis Vuitton has it in popular Monogram or
classic Damier.
Travel Trendy
If the LV's price sends you running for the hills, check out this Diane Von
Furstenberg Vintage
3-Piece Travel Set. The DVF signature print set against the familiar
brown evokes the Vuitton look without looking like a cheap knockoff.
The Prettiest
The American
Flyer Capri set offers five lovely and distinctive bags at a fantastic
price. There are plenty of compartments, a place for shoes and wet clothes/laundry,
and they're easy to attach together and roll.
