Naturally, the Elle Woods in me wants the girliest luggage ever (like this), but what’s totally practical for a workin’ girl finding herself on short 1-2 day trips for the job?
I bought a suitcase a few years ago (and it probably wasn’t intended to be a real suitcase – it’s from Pier 1, and more like a big rectangular zippered bag, albeit, cute pink paisley) but it’s hard to use (hurts my shoulders and back every time I use it, hence, not real luggage). It was also cheap (clearance for $20) so it’s really ragged out in just a half-dozen uses.
Over the last year, I’ve been fortunate enough to borrow Mom’s suitcase which to airlines (except Delta), is an acceptable carry-on. My last few months of work have been spattered with travels to San Francisco and NJ, and in my airport adventures, I’ve begun to have major (really major) luggage envy.
Buying my own real luggage set (or at least my own carry-on [because I pack really compactly]) has been top of mind for awhile, but I haven’t purchased yet… blame the indecisive me.
My purchasing philosophy goes something like… if it’s something I need and see value in investing in (to have for a long time), I’ll save up for it and choose the product I know I’ll use and appreciate and adore for years to come, even if it’s more than I should pay knowingly. I did this with my treasured Orla Kiely laptop bag… and I can’t imagine having any other bag, even now, 4 years after the buy. I can’t rationalize doing it often, but I do love that feeling of using a purse or jacket or computer bag that’s just so fun and cute it makes me giddy – and I guess that’s where my mindset is right now for luggage. I’m shopping for something that I know I’ll be able to make last years and years and years to come. Here are some that I’m pondering (cheap to [too expensive])… some from Amazon, Target, Flight001, ebags.com and my beloved O.K.
Overall, I’d love to find something not-too-trendy in color but still fun, something durable, something I wouldn’t be embarrassed to drag through the security checkpoint, although I do waver back and forth on whether to have a flexible material bag or a hard coated suitcase. Votes?
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