No one makes nice luggage anymore. Suitcases are usually plastic, bulbous and age badly. They’re black, or possibly silver. There is little possibility for using something you particularly like, or you can get the remotest joy in using.
If it’s a weekend bag you’re after, there’s plenty of choice. Mulberry is always a staple – I recommend their scotch grain range. Bown makes beautiful bags – particularly the overnight cabin bag. In fact, almost anyone that makes lovely leather items can do you a good weekend bag.
But there’s nothing like the same range in suitcases. Even Mulberry’s cases look like they have little to do with the soft, malleable leather of the smaller bags. They are awkward, largely made of a woven fabric with leather detailing. The recently launched Samsonite Black Label range is similar – despite high design, their best feature is a lime-green lining. Little on the outside really appeals.
The problem is leather. It is too heavy for a suitcase, but no one quite knows what an attractive alternative would be. Louis Vuitton suitcases are made with canvas. This is lighter but still not so light you could carry it around for any length of time. They were designed, after all, for the age when porters carried your cases for you everywhere. (Plus a decent size will cost £3,000 and everyone will think it’s fake anyway.)
Fortunately, I recently stumbled across Globetrotter. Its suitcases are made with vulcanized board – essentially compressed paper with a protective coating. They are therefore light, while been famously strong: a famous old stunt featured an elephant from London Zoo balancing on top of one.
What’s more, Globetrotter fulfils all my criteria for buying luxury. It is built for longevity. It is something I will use often (I probably travel on business an average of eight times a year). And it has a history behind it: it was founded in 1897; Queen Elizabeth took it on honeymoon; it was used in the first ascent of Everest; and Churchill carried a Globetrotter briefcase.
It also seems to have wasted little money on advertising. The website is slick (globe-trotterltd.com), but few people have heard of it. The store, just off Bond Street, is nice but small and personal. So you can rest assured that your purchase is not funding a huge branding exercise.
Like any luxury item of worth, the company has an easy system for quickly repairing and refurbishing. They are happy if you only ever buy one.
On the more frivolous side, they also come in a fantastic array of colours, from orange with brown leather to blue with white, from red with tan to cream with yellow.
The Original range offers the best value for money, with a decently sized suitcase starting at £350. For more leather straps and leather corners (Centenary) you pay disproportionately more, as you do for the Safari range, which just offers another two colours. If you do take a liking to the leather straps, I recommend buying one or two separately. They cost £25 each, which is a lot less than the step up to Centenary.
Simon, those are beautiful suitcases.
I used to travel a lot before.
You’re waiting at baggage claim and you realize just how bland and dull everything has become. We tie strange ribbons on our non-descript black suitcases to identify them more easily, and a sense of tragic longing overcomes us…
I would love to travel with those cases, but I’d need a few more servants to carry the wardrobe case. I saw one in an antique fair in a small town outside of Rome. Just like your pictures only as a large as a closet (it was a closet inside). Made me dream…
But… do you really use these suit cases for air travel today? Don’t they get ruined?
Simon, the products in the photographs are very good looking and stylish.
I would love to own the suitcases displayed in the photographs.I would also like to know more about the fashion and its statements. I am located in India.
my email address is [email protected]. Please do mail me ur google mail ID.
Just to give an alternative to the beautiful Globetrotter suitcases. A Swedish manufacturer that started 1895 with a similar material.
http://www.alstermobruk.com/
J.Crew features an ad for Globetrotter luggage in an “exclusive” color combination in their latest catalog.
Other guest comments:
I absolutely love the items suggested!
Also Check mens color trends for Spring Summer 2008 at http://blog.istorez.com/?cat=74
Please leave your feedback,
Comment by Payal — June 5, 2008 #
There is a great company in Paris that makes luggage and bags. I forget the name. It is Girbaud I believe. Something like that. I’m on a plane and I don’t have my information correct, sorry mates. However, this is the best luggage in the world.
Comment by Alex — June 9, 2008 #
Simon,
What a great subject. I, of course, knew of Globe-Trotter, yet not being in need of new luggage, I certainly was not aware of their absolutely incredible site. What a piece of web design. I like it very much. The best I’ve encountered in a very long time. Thank you for bringing it to our attention.
Regards,
Nicola
Comment by Nicola Linza — June 9, 2008 #
Alex: Are you referring to Goyard? I think you might be. It’s certainly one of the most venerable luggage manufacturers. It’s not as ubiquitous as Louis Vuitton which, to me, has all but lost the image of ‘exclusivity.’
Simon: Great article! I do love Globe Trotter luggage. It is of excellent design and detail (some of the cases have beautiful silk linings) and it will last years. And the best thing about it is, unlike the wretched Samsonites, it doesn’t matter if it starts to looked ‘used.’ Quite the opposite in fact. I think you raised an important point that Globe Trotter have avoided publicity; it’s almost bizarre that you have to ‘discover’ the treats in store (I think a few models are available in Harrods and Selfridges too). You provide some very useful information in relation to strapping and prices too!
When I visited the Burlington Arcade to do a little research last year for this http://www.mensflair.com/shopping-guide/luggage-for-men.php, I wasn’t aware myself of another luggage maker, very similar to Globe Trotter. A Swedish manufacturer called Alstermo Bruk, http://www.alstermobruk.com/, sells AMO fiber cases and is, as they say, ‘a light, durable material that ages gracefully – perfect for travel cases!’ They aren’t knock-offs either; Bruk has been making luggage since 1804 and there is a very charming embossed Alstermo Bruk logo – the shield with the winged horse. I have not yet seen them in the flesh, although I am reliably informed that they look very well made – as well made as Globe Trotter. There are a number of sizes and colours from very large and black styles (http://193.15.55.242/alstermo2/uploads/images/produkter/StorVaska.jpg) to briefcase sizes of bright colour and contrasting details (http://193.15.55.242/alstermo2/uploads///images/produkter/detaljer/svart_lader.jpg) I particularly found the black case with brown leather detail appealing (http://193.15.55.242/alstermo2/uploads///images/produkter/detaljer/Det_01.jpg).
Winston
Comment by Winston Chesterfield — June 9, 2008 #
Thanks, Winston for bringing Bruk to our attention. I did not know of them. I find the black case you mention the most appealing as well. I think that Bruk is a bit more fashion forward and I think a bit more on the youthful end? Am I wrong? In very good taste, certainly so. I think if I were to purchase a piece I’d lean toward Globe-Trotter, as I prefer their look a bit more for long term use. I might mention, while on the subject of case goods, when it comes to other pieces, leather or case goods, I like the work of John Lobb, especially for briefcase work. They have a new site, I encourage everyone to view http://www.johnlobb.com I don’t see my brief there. As I inherited it, and being custom made, it most likely wasn’t in the natural run of their seasonal work. It is in natural color leather with a red interior and brass hardware, quite stunning I might say in a very conservative manner. I have another style brief by Mark Cross from when they had their shop in Beverly Hills, that is in brown suede with brown leather trim, and a natural kid leather interior, with brass hardware that is really an example of extraordinary work. Alas they are no more, sad state of affairs. I might take pictures of both. If time allows. I’ll make a note to do so, it would illustrate the issue more clearly. In the meanwhile, and forgive me for going a bit off the non-leather case goods topic, any other obscure firms out there?
Nicola
Comment by Nicola Linza — June 10, 2008 #
being using one for years. it ages amazingly, with more scratches and baggage stickers gracing its surface, im loving it more everyday
OMG, I picked up a portable bar at the thrift store here in Canada and it has a globetrotter name on the handle. It is just plain black, but lightweight as you describe, good quality in the clasp. Is there anyway you can help me identify whether it was truly made by this company in England. Thanks, Grace
Grace- I’m sure if you contact the company itself and describe the item to them they would be keen to oblige. They have a decent archives management I think.
Pleased you found such a great buy!
Simon
I have a brand new three piece globe-trotter set for sale that I won on a game show. Anyone interested in purchasing it, or suggestions how to sell it?
cool
Great article. I agree, it is very hard to find leather luggage that is both light weight and hardwearing. My advice? Shop around! Look for lesser known companies/brands, and ask people! Word of mouth goes a long way. A Guarantee is a must, if you want your luggage to last you have to make sure the company you are dealing with can repair any faults and that their leather is of the finest quality!
Hi Simon,
I agree with you. That suitcase was very nice and suitable for traveling. Maybe I’ll buy it. During this time, I had trouble to find a hard suitcase with lightweight material. I imagine a suitcase at the airport or station. Where can I buy a suitcase? Do I have to go to an antique shop? The suitcase looks very antique but luxurious.
Hi Simon,
I have a couple of Globe trotter cases to sell, any idea where other than ebay?? Thanks!
Hi Simon or Kell, still looking for buyers for your globe trotter pieces?
hi Garba & simon,
I have also a set of Globe trotter cases to sell, any idea where other than ebay?? Thanks!
4 cases still new and never used.
It has been approximately 6 years since the last posting but does anyone know whether Alstermo Bruk is still around? There doesn’t seem to be a lot of information on this (stockist etc)
I went to check out globe trotter yesterday and would like to compare it with Alstermo Bruk..
I will be in Berlin and much of Switzerland and hope to get a few luggages when I am there.
Thank you for the Globetrotter luggage article. Is the Globetrotter luggage sold by J. Crew the same quality and durability as the luggage sold in London, etc.?
Yes