Bon Voyage

I’ve been known to express (in writing, no less) my dismay at the lost art of travel, and my distaste of, or even allergy to, wheeled luggage; to say nothing of my horror at the display of atrocious style in today’s airports, train stations, and ocean-going liners. Luggage is as important to me as any sartorial choice in travel— as with dress, one does want it to be as convenient and comfortable to use as possible— and, yes, I do understand that wheels make carting suitcases around airports, now that porters are nowhere to be found, rather easier. But to me nothing seems less elegant than pulling or pushing a suitcase, unless you’re over 70, and besides, just how heavy can a suitcase be? Will the little physical exertion required to carry a suitcase twenty yards or so really kill you?

I would love to have Goyard make me a custom wardrobe suitcase or trunk, one with little drawers and hangers so that I’d never have to unpack on trip, but alas I can neither afford it nor would such a case be practical for travel today, unless one is traveling with a valet and a footman on one’s own plane or yacht. I settle for suitcases I’ve had for years— an ancient Globetrotter (before the re-branding that brought re-pricing) that has needed little care over the years except a change of locks; a Tanner Krolle bridle leather suitcase that works as good as new, except for the deep gashes and scratches that come from handing over your luggage to airlines to care for, and a bridle leather carry-on that has endured far more abuse, including being checked in on occasion, than a leather case deserves. Since I dislike shoulder straps (I’m not a schoolboy) as much as I dislike wheels, a vintage 40′s briefcase, that happens to fit inside the carry-on, is my preferred vessel for a laptop, notebook, and books. I may get a little more exercise than I want to when traveling, but I say it’s worth the effort…

11 thoughts on “Bon Voyage”

I have 2 cordovan leather suitcases, bought by my father in law in the late 50s, ready to be mine, very , very soon.

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I totally agree. I am over 60 and have no intention of pulling or now pushing luggage through airports. While looking at your “vintage” pieces, I was wondering if there were places that might offer this type of old world style or are flea markets, etc. the best option?

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Hooman Majd on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 9:47 am said:

For true vintage, yes, I’d suggest eBay or flea markets—and sometimes consignment shops. But some manufacturers still make suitcases in the traditional style, particularly in Europe.

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while i tend to agree with much of what you write in this blog, i have to say that this time i’m not sure i do.
as a very frequent traveler (twice per week), i can confidently say that without wheeled luggage, my life would be hell.
there are many advantages of modern luggage:
-lighter (every ounce counts these days)
-fits more in smaller space
-has wheels! sometimes you have to walk for more than just twenty yards (think london heathrow where they advise 20-min walking distances to some gates)

now all this is not considering long-term travel where you have to pack for more than 3 weeks.
i think the days of shipping wooden trunks are gone.

that being said. if i were going on a quick weekend trip for pleasure, i completely agree with you

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I am young enough to remember when my fellow classmates in elementary school had backpacks that had wheels and a handle like today’s modern suitcase. Being older now I would love to have leather suitcases and bags, once I start my career I hope to acquire some that will last me a lifetime.

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Oh man you are so chic! <3

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Your conscious appreciation to all minutia of style and grace is well received. In such a short period of time, airports and places of mass-transit have really fallen to the pits…but then again, the expedited time frame could also be extended to all avenues of human presence. Somewhere along the line, appreciation became transmuted into effort, and this is truly sad.

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During my early-90s undergraduate years, one summer I worked as a bellhop at a full-service hotel in Wisconsin. A guest–who unbeknownst to us staffers was a customer-service guru hired by the owner to put the hotel and its staff to the test for a few days–called for his and his wife’s luggage to be brought downstairs for checkout. He said it was only a few pieces and therefore didn’t require the luggage cart. I had never seen wheeled luggage, so I didn’t notice the wheels on the bottom and therefore picked up the pieces and carried them all the way down to the front desk. Two days later, at the all-staff meeting where the guru’s identity was revealed and we all heard his evaluation of our service, he pointed out my hand-carrying of that luggage, rather than asking about or using the wheels, as an example of excellent customer service. I didn’t admit that I never knew the luggage had wheels, but I was glad the episode made a good impression on our guest.

Now that I travel with my young kids, I inevitably have to wheel–but when I can carry, I more often than not think back and chuckle about how nice it can be to carry.

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I remember this piece you wrote for Bergdorf Goodman site … similar suggestion/complaints with respect to wheeled suitcases:

http://blog.bergdorfgoodman.com/bg-magazine/dressing-for-happier-trails

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I love my leather and leather and canvas luggage. The pieces are built to take abuse and don’t look too bad with a little wear and tear. Over the years I’ve learned to pack lighter and do more with less. It does make hauling my gear a bit easier. Then again, I rarely travel for business, although I’m always dressed, just because I prefer to.

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Agreed! I buy and own vintage luggage as pictured. eBay is my vendor of choice. There is an abundance at reasonable prices. I use them for all sorts of things. Personal, business, storage. The handles always seem to go first which make it a risky undertaking. If I could get the classy style with wheels and reinforced handles, I’d be quite satisfied.

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The House of Majd

Bon Voyage

11 thoughts on “Bon Voyage”

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