The 50 Best: Suitcases (1-25)

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1 Hartmann Wings Woodbox Pullman

This traditional hard-sided suitcase has an air of old-world luxury, but is designed with modern travel in mind. The strong yet lightweight wooden frame, with metal corners for reinforcement, is covered with a diamond-monogram-patterned jacquard fabric.
Where from Harrods, London SW1 (020-7730 1234; www.harrods.com).
How much small £1,399; medium £1,499; large £1,599.

2 Asprey Steamer soft suitcase

This sophisticated design employs PVC-coated purple- and beige-striped canvas and combines it with leather handles and trim and embossed leather straps. Inside there is "167 Bond Street" fabric lining, inner compartment pockets and elasticated inner straps.
Where from Asprey, 167 Bond St, London W1 (020-7493 6767; www.asprey.com).
How much small £1,500; medium £1,600; large £1,700.

3 Anya Hindmarch small logo trolley

An elegant trolley of slender proportions in subtly coloured cotton logo fabric with a vachetta leather trim, this is available in grey with a beige trim or turquoise with a turquoise trim.
Where from Anya Hindmarch, Pont St, London SW1; Ledbury Rd, London W11; Harvey Nichols and Harrods, London SW1 (020-7838 9177; www.anyahindmarch.com).
How much £295.

4 Ceannis Tea Time weekend hatbox

This Scandinavian brand is new to the UK, and is a welcome arrival, judging by this desirable bag. Made of woven viscose straw in deliciously summery ice-cream colours and trimmed with natural leather, its shape is reminiscent of 1950s hatboxes, which is in keeping with the current popularity of vintage styles.
Where from call 07766 178764 for stockists.
How much £89.

5 Brief and Sassy luggage tag

These gorgeous tags are just the thing to liven up a standard piece of luggage and help to identify it instantly as your own. They are made of fine Italian leather with vintage gold-foiled 1940s patterns and are available in an array of delectable colours.
Where from call 020-8960 9333 for stockists.
How much: £16.95.

6 Globe-Trotter Cruise suitcase

These classic British cases are made from Vulcan fibre, an exclusive patented material which is as light as aluminium yet as hardwearing as leather. The Cruise line comes in royal blue with contrasting navy leather belts (a distinctive Globe-Trotter design feature) and a delightfully summery ticking-style lining of royal-blue pinstripe on snowy white cotton.
Where from Globe-Trotter, 54-55 Burlington Arcade, London W1 (020-7529-5950).
How much small £750; medium £780; large £820.

7 Radley women's large suitcase

Radley have produced a beautifully simple female-friendly design in subtle shades of pink or brown, using hardwearing nylon and leather trim to give a touch of luxury. But with practicality in mind too, the bag offers great accessibility, external pockets, useful internal details such as laundry and shoe bags and, of course, their cute little Scottie-dog logo as a luggage tag.
Where from Radley (020-8451 6455; www.radley.co.uk).
How much £150.

8 Samsonite Sammies Funny Face gym bag

This is one of the few luggage ranges aimed exclusively at children where the bags are made to same exacting standards as the adult lines. These fun, colourful and well-priced designs include a penguin, ladybird, giraffe and turtle. The penguin gymbag (above) sits on funky orange feet and giggles when his beak is squeezed!
Where from Samsonite (01895 855755; www.samsonite.com).
How much £14.

9 Carpetbags Global Gladstone

While these eyecatching bags, available in two sizes and seven different patterns, conjure up images of genteel Victorian and Edwardian travellers, they are practical enough for 21st-century travellers. The steel frame is covered with a showerproof cotton/viscose carpet fabric whose designs are based on those of Persian silk rugs.
Where from Carpetbags (01353 649749: www.carpetbags.co.uk).
How much small £265; large £299.

10 ZPM hanging washbag

Everyone needs a travel washbag and this clever design acts as a mini bathroom cabinet; you can hang it behind hotel doors, on boats, even off trees. All your essential potions and lotions can be kept secure and tidy within the five internal compartments. It's made of fully washable canvas and comes in three jauntily striped colour schemes.
Where from call 020-8939 1780 for stockists.
How much £34.50.

11 Mossman diamond aluminium steamer trunk

A huge variety of sizes, colours and finishes are available from the manufacturers of these traditionally styled trunks. They are made of plywood with a bonded covering of either PVC, high-gloss fibre or this eye-catching and funky diamond-embossed aluminium. Available in seven sizes, the smaller two have carry handles and the others are available with trolley castors.
Where from Five Star Cases (01945 427000; www.5starcases.net).
How much £130.

12 Mandarina Duck Isi trolley bag

Sophisticated Italian design combined with great practicality has made this bag a top seller. In hardwearing waterproof nylon and with a contrasting metallic fabric lining, it can be carried by hand, used as a backpack or pulled with the extendable handle for use as a trolley. It is available in summery sapphire blue as well as anthracite, red and green.
Where from Mandarina Duck UK (020-7495 8288; www.mandarinaduck.com).
How much £110.

13 Samsonite Sammies Funnyface Ladybird wheelie

A useful piece from this dedicated children's range of fun and functional luggage is this trolley bag in a striking red and black ladybird design. All the models are made from tough polyester with a screen-printed address tag inside each and a reflective logo on the outside. Other useful items, such as purses, pencil boxes and schoolbags, are also available.
Where from Samsonite (01895 855755; www.samsonite.com).
How much £45.

14 Max-Oliver ballet box

Yet another nod to vintage style is this charmingly quirky ballet box, of the kind carried by little girls on their way to dance lessons. It is handmade in leather with a satin polyester lining and an interior vanity mirror, and is available in traditional pale beige or funky red or silver.
Where from Max-Oliver, 100 Islington High St, London N1 (020-7354 0777; www.max-oliver.co.uk).
How much £162.50.

15 Radley passport cover

We've all got a passport so why not jazz it up with this smart leather holder featuring a quirky little design. The stylised leaves and Radley dog motif are printed on to the leather, which is available in whisper (a kind of bone/beige), pink or black.
Where from Radley (020-8451 6455; www.radley.co.uk).
How much £18.75.

16 Samsonite Vintage hardside spinner trunk

With its 1930s detailing - leather trim with rivets, sophisticated colour combinations and opulent striped and ruched satin linings - the Vintage collection expresses a nostalgia for the days when travel was about glamour. But there are also up-to-date touches, including the four-wheel system, a pop-up wheelie handle, multiple carry handles and the special Travel Sentry lock.
Where from Samsonite (01895 855755; www.samsonite.com).
How much £449.

17 Carlton Mobius trolley case

Easy good looks are the hallmark of this casually styled and well-priced case, available in three subtle colours and with an innovative twister trolley handle which rotates through 360 degrees to provide maximum user comfort. It is made of tough polyester with two overlapping flat pockets on the front panel, for additional storage, and a surprisingly vibrant lining. Available in cream, blue and orange.
Where from Carlton (01707 871630; www.carltontravelgoods.com).
How much small £52; medium £65; large £72.

18 Delsey Insect expandable trolley case

The futuristic Insect collection challenges conventional luggage concepts by combining a soft textile body with a hard frontal shell, just like the body of a beetle. In black/silver or petrol blue/silver and with sleek curved lines, ergonomic straps and expandable pockets, it is both stylish and a little edgy.
Where from Delsey (020-8731 3530; www.delsey.com).
How much £135.

19 Shona Easton Spots holdall

This chic leather-trimmed spotty-print linen weekend holdall has lots of light-hearted appeal. It is lightweight and has a detachable shoulder strap as well as carry handles and is available in sunny sugar pink and cream or smart coffee and cream. The perfect bag for those girlie weekend breaks.
Where from Easton Design Studio, Greens Farm, Kingsland, Newdigate, Surrey (01306 631159; www.eastondesignstudio.com).
How much £120.

20 Dunhill Motorities garment carrier

A garment carrier is a must for the travelling businessperson who wants to make a positive sartorial impression. This casually smart version from Dunhill's Motorities range comes in water-resistant khaki canvas with dark brown leather trim and features the distinctive Dunhill integrated storm cover as well as a laundry bag and removable pouches for a range of uses.
Where from Dunhill (08454 580779; www.dunhill.com).
How much £550.

21 Asprey Horse suitcase

The sturdy good looks of this case make it the choice for the person with a sense of adventure. It is made of wood covered in olive canvas and trimmed with dark brown bridle leather details and corner reinforcements. There are inner leather straps to keep contents tidy as well as a zip-around compartment for small items and it comes in three sizes, from a generous small to a capacious large.
Where from Asprey, 167 New Bond St, London W1 (020-7493 6767; www.asprey.com).
How much small £1,800; medium £1,900; large £2,000.

22 Tumi T3 Ducati wheeled case with suiter

This testosterone-fuelled design is the one for the traveller who loves fast bikes. In collaboration with Ducati, the renowned Italian motorcycle manufacturer, Tumi has produced streamlined shapes in Ducati's racy red and black colour scheme and detailed it with high-tech metallic trim. The case features an extra-long telescopic handle, an expandable main compartment, a removable garment sleeve and an interior accessories pocket.
Where from Tumi, 170 Picadilly, London W1 (020-7493 4138; www.tumi.com).
How much £450.

23 Kipling New Runner wheeled backpack

Hybrid luggage is becoming increasingly popular. This piece from Kipling combines trolley and backpack and adds plenty of features to ensure it works efficiently either way. As with all Kipling bags, it is made of heavy-duty nylon with a distinctive wrinkled effect, which is achieved through a special process whereby the fabric is shrunk by 30 per cent, thus making it more durable.
Where from Kipling, 205 Regent St, London W1 (020-7287 1985; www.kipling.com).
How much £114.

24 Mulberry Eastwood bag

Popular with celebrities, this rugged leather bag will gladden the hearts of all urban cowboys. It is made of Darwin leather in either chocolate or oak, with six external pockets, carry handles, a shoulder strap and chunky brass hardware. This is a bag that will age well.
Where from Mulberry (020-7491 3900; www.mulberry.com).
How much £795.

25 Delsey Passion document case

Another necessity for the business traveller is a good document case and if the traditional black leather briefcase does not appeal, this is a slim and shapely textile version with a curved flap-over top and a single sturdy handle. It has a single organiser pocket and is compatible with the Delsey trolley system so it can be securely stacked with other luggage items.
Where from Delsey (020-8731 3530; www.delsey.com).
How much £60.

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