The lesser-known luxury luggage labels to bring style to your travels

When it comes to holiday planning, we all go through the same checklist.

You book your route, be it road, rail, air or sea. You need to make hotel reservations. You might even pre-organise a dinner or two (especially if you’re type A). But then, every time, you leave one of the most essential tasks to the last minute – packing. 

If you haven’t got quality luggage to hand, packing becomes a whole lot harder. The right bag can make travel a breeze, but it depends on a few things. For a weekender, you might want a leather holdall. Heading a short trip abroad? Perhaps you’d prefer a carry-on case. Or for a two-week sojourn, it’s more likely you’ll need a lightweight hold case (ideally on wheels) which you can fill without exceeding the standard 23kg limit. 

On top of needing a range of sizes to cater for every possible trip, you don’t want the same luggage as everyone else - how else will you distinguish it from the others at the luggage carousel?

The good news? There’s a whole host of lesser-known labels a cut above the basics of the luggage world. 

These labels offer just about every handy feature you could dream of, from a briefcase for a 36-hour stay by Lundi Paris to Carl Friedrik’s comprehensive range of check-in and carry-on designs and Arterton’s tailoring-friendly garment bags.

The best part? When you’re strolling through departures with your unique wheelie or waiting to spot your stand-out case on the luggage carousel, you’ll be the envy of the airport.

Lesser known luggage labels at a glance

• Best for a leather holdall: Luca Faloni
• Best for overall: Carl Friedrik
• Best for durability: Steele & Borough
• Best for artisanal-like attention to detail: Velasca
• Best for smart luggage: Horizn Studios
• Best for a celebrity favourite: Rimowa

Keep scrolling for our top pick.

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Luca Faloni

Best for: a leather holdall

Finding a quality leather holdall is no mean feat. It should be spacious enough for a long weekend but not so bulky that it’s hard to carry. Ideally, such a bag should be crafted using a full-grain leather which ages well over time. The handles need to be long enough to fit over your shoulder and an extra shoulder strap is ideal. 

Enter: Luca Faloni’s Weekender, which seemingly ticks every box. It’s handmade in Florence using pure vegetable-tanned 'pieno fiore' leather – and it comes in tan, brown or black so you’re covered whatever your colour preference.

Buy now, Luca Faloni

Carl Friedrik

Best for: overall best

Here at ES Best, we’re big fans of Carl Friedrik. The London-based label has its foundations in luxury leather goods – totes, briefcases, holdalls et al. – but has since expanded its collection to include trunk-inspired hard-shell suitcases of many sizes.

They come in a range of understated colourways, from a sleek monochrome to a two-tone navy-brown combo which is perfect for those who want something a little different.

Our top tip? Go for the full luggage set to save £75 when you buy the carry-on and the check-in at once.

Buy now, Carl Friedrik

Steele & Borough

Best for: durability

Designed to stand the test of time, Steele & Borough uses nylon in the construction of its luggage that offers both durability and a sleek, chic finish. Functional first and foremost, it’s a water-resistant material to protect your precious possessions while you jet-set around the world. Across gym bags, weekender and work designs, each is cut with clean lines to give a sophisticated, professional feel.

Buy now, Steele & Borough

Velasca

Shop a piece from the Velasca collection and it will be a stalwart in your wardrobe for many years to come. Where the Italian brand shines is its mastery of the basics, each of which is created with an artisanal-like attention to detail.

The collection extends from shoes to clothing at relatively affordable price tags considering the craftsmanship. The tailoring, shirts, outerwear, t-shirts, trousers and polo as well as the Oxfords, Derbies and monk straps range in price from around £280 to £1,400 for a two-piece suit.

Buy now, Velasca

Horizn Studios

Price: £240 - £650

Take your suitcases into the realm of smart tech with Horizn Studios. Since the brand launched in 2016, it has been known and loved for its innovative design and hi-tech add-ons. Created with the modern traveller in mind, the suitcases are constructed with an aerospace-grade polycarbonate hard shell that is not only lightweight but also has a sustainable edge and has been recycled. The brand lives by a ‘buy once and keep forever’ mantra so you know these are suitcases built to last.

They tend to have four 360-degree spinner wheels, a TSA-approved lock and a removable power pack so you can charge up your phone as you go. The suitcases are available in a huge variety of colours and you can even get them monogrammed to ensure you’re picking up the correct one on the luggage belt or you can build your own from scratch with HoriznID. Look out for the brand’s Circle One range for an even more eco-conscious twist. The cases are made entirely from renewable materials but are still durable as they use a flax fibre weave that when suspended in resin is three times stronger than aluminium.

Buy now, Horizn Studios

Rimowa

Price: £420 - £1800

For the discerning traveller, few do it better than Rimowa. The luxury label makes innovative storage solutions for your trips with designs that are oozing with industrial-style elegance. 120 years in the making, the signature style is instantly recognisable, featuring distinctive grooves and a premium anodised aluminium construction.

Since the suitcase was launched in 1950, the brand has been consistently adding to its collection and boasts many ranges designed for different purposes; Essential (function at the forefront), Essential Lite (minimal) and Essential Sleeve (for business trips) - all with lightweight constructions, Classic - with a retro heritage design, and Hybrid that combines aluminium and feather-light polycarbonate as well as so many colours to choose from and cabin, check-in and trunk sizes. You can customise and build your own from scratch.

The cases are engineered in Germany to stand the test of time no matter the knocks and bumps.

Buy now, Rimowa