{take me away № 03 | tips for buying luggage}

With thanks to a lovely reader for the suggestion, this week’s {take me away} column shares and showcases an array of wonderful luggage options, from inexpensive, yet lovely pieces readily available at Macy’s, to exquisite investment pieces in Louis Vuitton's classic Monogram Etoile.



Whether you are looking to purchase your carry-on with a more conservative budget and splurge on your suitcase, or are looking to build a life-long lasting collection — or perhaps, are looking for the best quality set for a small budget, style and function needn’t be compromised. And so, below are some of our current favorites on the market, in an array of looks, price points, designs and functions, offering features to note and great style . . .





[read sarah's picks & tips for choosing luggage after the jump] x

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{take me away № 02 | luggage to last a lifetime}

As with many things, it is wise to purchase the best quality of luggage and travel accessories that one can afford. Luggage is an investment, and quality pieces will often last for a lifetime.



Well-made and designed luggage is aimed to make the process of your journey easier, and will take you through many years of adventures.



Whether you are beginning to put together your own luggage collection, are a well-seasoned traveler looking to replace the pieces you have, or searching for the perfect gift for someone you love, this guide will assist you in building a quality luggage collection.






No matter if you prefer a sleek, streamlined look with neutral colors, or a colorful, fun look with personalized details . . .



It is imperative to learn some of the basics of what to look for when selecting pieces . . .



[as always, more after the jump] x
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{take me away № 01 | perfectly packed: a list}

A wonderful trip must always begin with preparation and organization. Proper organization defeats any what-ifs and mishaps and can save you from little disasters that may unexpectedly occur.





Now, this certainly does not entail bringing one’s entire home within a suitcase or two, but it does make use of the essentials, as well as many additional small items that can come in handy at the most crucial moment.



Over the years, I have received advice from a lovely neighbour, who often travels the world, speaking at conferences as well as vacationing. Along with some of the wonderful tips she has shared, combined with a few other things learned along the way, I hope to assist you in planning for your next journey.





To be certain that everything is covered, one must make use of a comprehensive list. Attached, you will find a lovely list that I’ve assembled, suitable for all seasons of the year. Please download and print as many as you need, check the boxes and add any additional information that you like . . .




Some additional helpful packing & preparation tips:

01 Keep a copy of your list. There is always the chance that your baggage might be misplaced, and so, with your list, you have evidence of exactly what your luggage contained.

02 Keep in mind that only 100ml of liquid per container is acceptable on a plane. Often your local drug store will carry small, fillable containers that are the perfect size.

03 Download helpful apps ahead of time to assist you in your travels, such as maps, destination information, weather and even common phrases for that specific country (rather than packing physical maps, books and such).

04 Be sure to look into the country of your destination – will you need to pack an adaptor?

05 There are some wonderful tutorials on how to best fold your clothing, including full skirts, for travel.

06 Always keep a little sachet or two of your favorite scent within your luggage. Upon arriving to your
accommodations, you can also refresh your footwear by placing one or two within your shoes.

07 Add a special marker to your luggage so that you might distinguish yours quickly amongst the rest upon picking it up at the airport. I often tie a favorite ribbon of the moment to mine.

08 If you are flying, be sure to visit the airline’s website /airport for specific information on luggage weight limits, size and more.

~ sarah

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the “perfectly packed” list was developed & designed by sarah klassen for {this is glamorous} -- please click here to download


{images: 1, 6, 7 - ceilia lee on flickr ; 2 - tiffany nguyen on flickr; 3 - lipsticks & lightsabers; 4 - La Maison Champs-Elysees by Maison Martin Margiela via another mag via ~laura~; 5 - ; 8 - smythson of bond street}

{take me away № 04 | vintage & antique luggage}

There is something significantly special about vintage and antique luggage pieces. Unlike the compact pieces that are created out of convenience and necessity today: suitable for planes, trains, ships, and automobile travel—the type of luggage needed from years past is quite different.



For instance, baby strollers today are easy to clean and maintain, can carry a number of children at time, and can fold into a fraction of their size, not unlike an origami piece; whereas in the past, more scalable prams were standard, designed with large, more industrial strength metal parts, and were produced with fine materials—some even included beautiful paintings and special storage compartments, and were often decorative and treasured for many, many years.



The same is with luggage; today, we seek quite different conveniences and scales, and yet can appreciate and enjoy the beauty of pieces from a bygone era.



Proficiently and arduously, “constructed by hand from metal, timber, leather and brass, these trunks were highly sought after and favoured by royal families and international high society alike.”



Traveling in style was considered as important as where one would travel. It’s lovely to imagine the sorts of journeys these pieces went on—exotic trips to Africa, trains through Europe, new homes and lands, discovered . . .




[continue reading sarah's tips for purchasing vintage and antique travel cases below . . .] x


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