The weather’s beginning to cool down, but that doesn’t stop people from traveling. In fact, many regions in the U.S. attract more traffic during the fall and winter months, such as the New England region for its beautiful, fall foliage, and western mountainous areas for skiing and other winter sports.
In order to prepare you with the season’s most stylish luggage, we asked Becky Tannar, a suitcase expert at Bretts Luggage & Gifts, for professional suitcase advice, and the inside scoop on the latest buying trends. She came back to us with the three most popular words she’s hearing this season for luggage: color, weight and spinners.
The Color Purple
Plum. Aubergine. Fig. Amesthyst. Violet. Whatever you call it, the color purple is taking over as one of the newest and hottest colors for luggage this fall. Many of the top luggage brand designers have added this color to their palettes of already tried and true colors. And, you won’t get tired of the deep purples that are popular right now because of their neutral versatility, unlike brighter, more vibrant shades.
For example, Hartmann introduced its Barbara Barry collection (shown above), which is gorgeous, feminine and rich. The color for this line is called “fig” — a deep, plum color — with a lovely swirl pattern to give the pieces a distinctive look. Inside, the lining is a coordinating amethyst that complements the purple exterior.
Shedding the Weight
Everyone wants a lightweight bag for easier handling and transport. “We often have customers state: ‘I want the biggest, lightest bag possible,’” Becky says. “This sounds good in theory, but the reality is that the bigger your bag is, the more you put in it.” Instead, opt for a medium-sized bag made of lightweight materials, and remember to pack light as well.
What’s a stylish, lightweight suitcase recommendation for this season? Becky likes Antler Liquis Super Lightweight Carry-ons. This luggage line comes in a variety of sizes, and is inspired by nature’s waterfalls. The sharp, stylish design, wonderful function and lightweight features make it a great fall pick.
Becky suggests that shoppers who are looking for a lightweight bag examine all of a bag’s components, and ask questions. For example, many luggage brands have switched from traditional metal uprods to airline-grade aluminum, which is both lightweight and durable, saving you some additional, unneeded weight.
You Spin Me Right Round
Spinner wheels are currently all the rage. Spinners are great for conveniently rolling your bag alongside you instead of lugging or pulling it behind you. With 360 degrees of spinning, your bag is easily maneuverable, especially when it’s fully packed. Carry-on spinners are also very convenient for rolling your suitcase or bag down the aisle of an airplane when boarding and deplaning.
The Victorinox Avolve collection has excellent options with the convenience of spinners combined with a warranty against damages that may occur during transit. Pictured here is the Victorinox Swiss Army Avolve Spinner.
Triple Crown
Rimowa has created the Salsa Air collection comprised of incredibly lightweight, multi-wheel spinner suitcases that come in a range of colors from gold to cognac to aqua. With this Rimowa Salsa Air Upright Trolley choice in Ultra Violet, you will be hitting the trifecta of all the latest fall luggage trends.
The Right Suitcase for You
The good thing about luggage trends is that they usually focus on making travel easier, and not simply looks. Take the time to shop around, and try to find the right piece of luggage that best suits you and your travel personality, as it is a worthwhile investment, not just a seasonal piece like clothing.
Browse through our slideshow, 10 Questions to Ask Yourself When Shopping for Luggage, for more information on choosing the right suitcase.
What's your favorite stylish, functional luggage item?
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