Luggage that is designed to impress

It’s the time of year when the lucky ones among us are jetting off on holiday to far away climes to bask in sun, stretch out on soft sandy beaches, and enjoy lounging by the pool. But what to pack all those holiday essentials in? A suitcase that’s seen better days doesn’t really give off the best impression when arriving in your holiday destination. So, to help ensure your luggage is the one everyone lusts after as it takes its turn on the baggage carousel at the airport, make sure you choose Antler.

Antler have been setting the trends in the luggage world for nearly a hundred years. Their designs are classic, functional and built to last. If you’re looking for luggage that seriously impresses, it’s got to be Antler.

For real wow factor, we love the Camden Suitcase for £149.99. It’s available in four colours – pink, lime, charcoal and orange and has a solid sturdy outer shell. It’s lightweight, inspired by the London borough of Camden and the London skyline, and comes with a 10-year warranty.

If you’re looking for luggage that you can take into the cabin with you, look no further than the Cyberlite 2 Wheel International Cabin Suitcase for £125. Like the Camden, it’s available in four different colour ways but this one’s got a soft outer shell that features front and side pockets as well as an integrated side handle so you can grab it with ease. We love its silent glide wheels and the fact it’s been designed specially for customers who travel by Ryan Air, First Choice and Thomas Cook Airlines.

Business travellers, meanwhile, should look to an Antler suitcase like the Business 100 Trolley Backpack for £125. It features a TSA lock, a removable laptop pouch so you can keep your computer extra safe, and has a super durable two-tone polyester outer. It can be pulled along by its handle, or carried on the back using the backpack straps that can be conveniently zipped out of sight when not in use.

Lastly, there is a special mention for the New Size Zero range of Antler suitcases. They are lightweight, have patented flex frame corners, slide glide wheels and an airmesh cool carry handle. These smart black cases are super sophisticated and are priced at £155, £165 and £175 depending on the size option you go for.

Delsey: Bags of Style

Delsey has been creating luggage since 1946, always working towards providing their customers with bags or cases which are not only stylish, but also highly functional and practical. Delsey bags focus on security and durability, as well as lightness and innovation. The company has won many design awards over the years, including a Product of the Year award from the British luggage association. A browse through any of their ranges also exemplifies their efforts to design luggage which suits a traveller's individual needs and will provide them with the features and functions they require.


Business travel with style: Many of Delsey's ranges focus on the needs of people travelling for business purposes. Designed with the working commuter in mind, their business ranges include bags which are ideal for transporting personal items and electronic equipment. These cases also provide much needed PC/laptop protection. All bags in this range are sleek and steam-lined, creating a professional yet stylish look. Business cases come in a choice of sizes and colours and are always resistant, protective and light. Not only do these business options include different sizes of cabin bags, they also offer different types of computer cases, satchels, and briefcases, all of which include in-built PC protection.


Just for women: Delsey offers many luggage types which are designed specifically with women in mind. Numerous Delsey ranges feature a Tote Beauty Case within their options; a bag which focuses directly on the needs of women when packing and transporting their beauty products. These bags are also available in an extensive variety of colours and materials, so personal taste can combine with practical needs. Delsey also offers women's hand carry bags, shoulder carry bags, and organisers.


The children's menu: Delsey's ranges are not limited to adults. The company also provides excellent options for children's luggage. Their child range contains luggage which is designed and adapted specifically to children, taking their smaller size into account. These luggage options are small, fun and lightweight, making them a great option for children when travelling. Again, this range features luggage designed around individual needs and a choice of trolleys, backpacks, lunch bags, school bags and pencil cases is available.


Delsey is a luggage company which caters for the whole family, providing luggage which not only looks great but is also designed to suit individual and specific needs. All bags are lightweight, steam-lined, resistant and made to the highest quality.

What To Pack For Fashion Week

 

What to pack for Paris Fashion Week

Picks for Paris, plus the best suitcase to pack them in.

Clockwise from left: cardigan £75 jcrew.com; boots £120 drmartens.co.uk; clutch £95 whistles.co.uk

IT'S GOT TO BE SAMSONITE. CASE CLOSED
Every time the shows come round, I'm on the hunt for the perfect suitcase. It's ridiculous how many of them are just unsuitable: too heavy, too flimsy. This time I think I've found true love with Samsonite's Cosmolite (£349, for the medium). It weighs 3.6kg empty, has a hard exterior and is positively four-wheel drive, or something like that.

Honestly, it's changed my life - at least for the month that I'm on the road.

PRIMED FOR PARIS: FIVE FOR THE ROAD
1 Navy trousers: Nifty gilt buttons and hem detailing take these (picture below) from day to night. No wonder there's been a bit of a rush on them as fashion month unfolds; they're the kind of "panic" purchase you can wear endlessly. Trousers, £275, Joseph; joseph.co.uk
2 A bright clutch: A low-risk way to wear a flash of colour (picture top). High street brand Whistles offers a customisation service through which you can get your intitials embossed on the front. Bag, £95, Whistles; whistles.co.uk
3 Tractor-soled boots: These (picture top) work with dresses or trousers and will take you from Prada to the Prado if you're on an endless march from shops to museums. Boots, £120, Dr Martens; drmartens.co.uk
4 A chic cardigan: Cosy warmth with a dose of spring colour (picture top). Cardigan, £78, J Crew; jcrew.com
5 A colour-blocked top: A top that works just as well at breakfast as it does at dinner (picture below). Top, £430, Roksanda Ilincic; stylebop.com
IN PICTURES: THE TRENDY 20: Paris Street Style

There's Something Fishy Going On!

Trunki, the famous bag manufacturer are well known for their vibrant luggage designed specifically for young children. Their ride on trolley cases are innovative and fun, but their new PaddlePak children's rucksacks are not only functional and fun, they're fishier than a box of fish fingers. These fabulous back packs are the perfect size for boys and girls aged 3-6 years, they're highly water resistant thanks to the plasticised fabric and roll top fastening which keeps water out even in the heaviest downpour.

In fact it's their innovative use of the roll top design which lends itself perfectly to the fishy designs which make the PaddlePak so distinctive. With the addition of fins and little tail which conceals its very own zipped pocket, perfect for keeping spending money safe and secure.  The padded back panel and shoulder straps ensure the backpack is comfortable and the addition of reflective strips on both the shoulder straps and backpack make these children’s bags perfect for dark winter nights.

Designs include the cute blue and pink puffa fish, called Bob and Flo, Willy the friendly killer whale and the fearsome Jaws shark backpack. As you can see, they're going to be an instant hit with boys and girls and the great news for parents is they come with 25% OFF at Bags direct.

Three Fabulous Backpacks From Kipling

Although the Kipling brand is best known for their range of Kipling handbags, with millions sold worldwide, for many a working girl even the largest handbags can't quite accommodate everything they need for the average day. If this is the case, then it's time to have a look at some of the other Kipling bags which are available such as their range of backpacks. I've selected three backpacks which are a functional and stylish alternative to their larger handbags.

First up we have the Firefly Backpack which is available in two sizes. Both feature two pop-out front pockets with zip closure, a larger front pocket with a Velcro fasting which is perfect for documents & paperwork as well as the spacious main compartment. The larger Firefly Backpack also features a mobile phone pocket and pen pockets in the larger front pocket. The smaller version features a shoulder strap allowing it to be worn as a shoulder bag if desired, and the rucksack straps can easily be stowed in their own dedicated pocket for added convenience. The smaller Firefly 'N' measures 22 x 31 x 14 centimetres with a capacity of around 9.6 litres and the larger Firefly 'L' measures 26 x 36 x 18 with around 16 litres' capacity.

Next we have the Challenger II from Kipling Bags. This medium sized backpack features padded shoulder straps and alongside its spacious main compartment are two additional front pockets. The larger of these contains a smaller open pocket, 2 pen pockets and the incredibly handy key hanger, which means no more routing around in the bottom of your bag trying to find your keys. The Challenger II measures 26 x 21 x 36 centimetres giving a capacity of approximately 19 litres.

Lastly we have the College backpack, designed with the working girl or student in mind it has plenty of room in three compartments. The main compartment features laptop protection with a Velcro closure and the largest of the two front pockets contains three useful dividers. The smaller front packet features a mobile phone pocket, three pen holders, an iPod or MP3 pocket and the ever-so-handy key hanger. The College backpack also has padded and adjustable shoulder straps for comfort and measuring 30 x 42 x 18 centimetres gives a capacity of around 22.5 litres. The main compartment is also expandable in the unlikely event it's not already roomy enough for your day to day needs.

If you're the kind of girl who needs just a little more space than the largest Kipling handbags offer, yet don't want to compromise on style or quality, then take a closer look at any of the Kipling bags featured in this article and we're sure you'll find the perfect backpack.

Flying With Hand Luggage Only

The problem with air travel is that we probably spend more time hanging around in the airport than we do sitting on the aeroplane. Prior to departure we're expected to check-in two or three hours before the flight is due to leave and when we've landed at our destination, we're waiting again for our baggage to be unloaded when all we really want to do it get on with the holiday. This is probably the most frustrating wait, especially on the return journey when all you want to do is get home and unwind.

For some reason we have got it into our heads that we need to take clothing for all occasions and therefore couldn't possibly spend a week away with only a small travel bag full of clothes and toiletries. However these days, more and more people are cottoning on to the fact that for a short break, one can easily cope with just having a small travel bag full of luggage rather than a large suitcase or three.

The major benefit of taking only a small travel bag is that it can be taken into the cabin with you. Upon landing at your destination just get off the plane and get on with your holiday, avoiding the long and tedious wait for your suitcase to be unloaded from the plane. There are however size and weight restrictions on hand luggage and these vary from airline to airline. The International Air Transport Association guideline suggests the maximum size for hand-luggage is 22 inch x 18 inch x 10 inch. However some airlines only allow dimensions of 17 inch x 12 inch x 8 inch, so in spite of your best efforts to travel light, your hand luggage may end up in the cargo hold after all.

You do need to be strict with what you're going to pack if you're only taking hand luggage, and consider how you're going to pack it. For example, if you have to take a heavy coat with you, then wear it rather than pack it. In fact by wearing all the bulkiest items for the flight will help maximise space in even the most compact of travel bags. Due to increased security, we are now forced to minimise on the amount of toiletries and liquids we can take on a plane, which isn't a bad thing as such items can easily be purchased on arrival, as can the many items of clothing which are packed 'just-in-case'.

Minimise your packing and do away with the suitcase if you want to maximise your time abroad, especially on shorter breaks where every hour counts. There are plenty of cabin-friendly bags available, but check with your flight operator first as the permitted weight and size of hand-luggage can vary considerably.

Paul Frank

Paul Frank is an instantly recognisable brand by the cheeky monkey, and we now have them on Bagsdirect. Suitable for any age, these bags can be taken to school, college and work.