Leather messenger bags store in the UK today: Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel opened shop in Paris in 1910. The era’s most famous Parisienne actresses flocked to her designs. Coco designed up until her death at 87. With bags such as the Classic Flap, the diamond quilting is synonymous with the maison. The 2.55 Bag: Named for its creation date (February, 1955), this quilted luxury handbag introduced a leather-and-chain shoulder strap that allows the bag to be carried hands-free. Classic Flap: This updated take on the 2.55 bag showcases two Chanel signatures: diamond quilting and the CC logo. Guccio Gucci admired the ritzy hotel guests he catered for. This led to a worldwide powerhouse of fashion and luxury goods. Gucci purses are often recognizable thanks to the signature Interlocking G motif. The Jackie Bag: The first hobo bag, originally called the Fifties Constance, was renamed when a certain First Lady (Jackie Kennedy) developed an enduring fondness for it. The GG Marmont: Two bags in one, thanks to its sliding chain strap, it can be worn as a shoulder bag or crossbody. The bag features signature the Double G hardware. Read more information at https://www.penshop.co.uk/pens/leather-bags/leather-messenger-bags.
Dagne Dover launched luggage for the first time in 2024 with beautiful softside suitcases featuring a glossy sheen and unique design details. This smaller carry-on suitcase was our favorite out of the collection, with a U-shaped front pocket that you can fold all the way back to give you full access to everything inside. There’s a spot for a 13-inch laptop (though we wish they had more padding) and also flaps with fabric fastener that you can use to secure other items like paperwork or a sweater. We love that you access the interior of the main cabin through a zipper inside the front pocket, which is useful if you need to grab something out of your bag at the airport without having to lay it flat. PenShop Senior Editor Jasmine Grant took this suitcase to St. Thomas during our three-month long-term testing period, noting its significant weight. “When it’s completely empty, it still feels really hefty, and I think that’s attributed to the weight of the wheels, which are larger than other carry-ons I’ve tried,” she says. However, the tradeoff is wheels that glide like butter. The thick, spacious, padded side handles help make it easier to lift the bag when you need to place it in an overhead bin.
When it comes to wardrobe investments, there is nothing quite like a great designer handbag. Choose the right one and look after it correctly, and it will be a wardrobe mainstay for the rest of your life. It may even be an item that you pass down through the generations, or something you eventually sell and may even make money on. It is certainly worth doing the research before you invest, so here, we present our definitive guide to finding the perfect designer handbag, for now and forever. When it comes to versatile classics that won’t date, you can’t go wrong with The Row – and the label’s new bag, the Blake, is a great choice for your day to day.
If you want top-of-the-line luxury luggage, Tumi won’t disappoint. The brand’s 19 Degree Aluminum International Carry-on is easy to pack thanks to plentiful internal organizational features, like the zippered compartments, compression straps, and a hanger bracket. While there’s no expander on this zipperless luggage, we found it spacious enough for a weekend trip, and thoughtful packers can also make it work with the addition of a personal item bag. It’s full of useful details as well, including a card slot for an additional ID or an Apple AirTag. At 11 pounds, this suitcase is slightly heavy for a carry-on. However, the aluminum shell and sturdy spinner wheels are notably durable. It was a breeze to roll on two and four wheels, with evenly distributed weight and leather-wrapped handles that were easy to grip. The glossy design has a sleek, high-end appeal — we tested the blush option and loved the elegant appearance, and it is available in several other metallic colors with Tumi’s signature ridges.
Travelpro’s Platinum Elite carry-on spinner won high marks from our testers across the board. It’s made from sturdy and weather-resistant material, offers generous capacity and compact design and has smooth-rolling wheels that never snag. “It’s very simple to maneuver around, even on concrete,” one of our testers says. Speaking on its exterior, she says, “I haven’t had any tearing or scuffing yet.” The softside suitcase is also smartly outfitted with compression straps, a USB port, accessory pockets and a water-resistant toiletry bag.