After Years of Countless Long-Haul Flights, I've Finally Narrowed Down the Best Expert-Approved Luggage
Stylish suitcases and nifty accessories to upgrade your travel experience
Investing in the best luggage can genuinely transform the way you travel. From gliding through security to stepping off the plane feeling organised and polished, the right suitcase makes all the difference—especially when it manages to balance style with genuine functionality (and ideally, complement your perfectly planned airport outfit to boot).
As a fashion editor who regularly travels for shows, press trips and all sorts of getaways, I’ve learned that a chic, reliable bag isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s an essential part of any well-planned journey, helping everything from capsule wardrobe staples to beauty essentials arrive intact and crease-free.
Of course, finding “the one” isn’t always straightforward. With baggage restrictions, storage capacity, durability and weight to consider, researching luggage can quickly become overwhelming—but that’s where we come in.
We’ve done the legwork and rounded up the most stylish, practical suitcases, travel bags and accessories from our favourite brands—each tried and tested by our editors on real trips over the years. From streamlined carry-ons and weekend holdalls to spacious cases for longer stays, there’s something here for every type of traveller.
And, once you’ve found your perfect match, don’t forget to explore our guides on how to pack a suitcase and the best beauty travel kits, for a smoother journey from check-in to touchdown. Now all that's left to do is actually book that holiday...
Best Carry-On Luggage
If you're going on a short weekend away, or you're lucky enough to be a naturally light packer, then a carry-on suitcase or bag is for you. Cabin size luggage is usually 55cm x 40cm x 23cm, which is the allowance permitted by most airlines including British Airways. However it's always worth checking with your airline first, as maximum sizes can vary—and you don't want to get caught out.
For example, Easyjet's allowance is smaller at 45cm x 36cm x 20cm, so make sure your suitcase is the right size, or you might incur additional costs. Here are some of our favourite cabin-size suitcases, which also work a treat for weekends away.
A British classic, Antler is a trusted brand when it comes to high-quality suitcases that are as functional as they are stylish. Coming in two timeless colourways—black and khaki—the Stamford 2.0 carry-on fuses Japanese innovation with British design, featuring 360-degree wheels with enhanced control and muted thread, as well as a light shell coating that's robust yet lightweight enough to allow for all your essentials.
I have been using this carry-on for about a year now and can confirm it's a great under-£100 option that does exactly what you need it to do. As well as complying with strict airline size regulations, it has a 40-litre interior for plenty of packing space, and includes a three-step adjustable trolley system for easy manoeuvring.
Most of team MC UK owns at least one Away suitcase—and for good reason. The Bigger Carry-On maximises on space as it's slightly larger than a normal cabin bag, yet still fits in the overhead compartment on most airlines (you can easily check using the brand's Airline Compatibilty feature, just to make sure). It comes with 360-degree spinner wheels to make it easier to transport, and the polycarbonate hard shell ensures it will keep look fresh in the long run. Plus, it comes with an in-built laundry bag, which is always handy, too.
Louis Vuitton's monogrammed luggage range exudes timeless Hollywood glamour, and is considered to be an icon of luxury travel still today—some 130 years after it first launched. Now that's what you call a true investment piece ... Beyond its social status, however, the Horizon 55 carry-on has all the practical markers of a truly excellent suitcase, including a completely flat interior, ultra-light structure, four double-contact wheels, and a discreet TSA lock.
Best Check-In Suitcases
No matter how strict you are with yourself, some destinations simply call for a larger suitcase—the long-haul and important occasion trips above all. And, if the ticket allows, there's nothing quite like the luxury of mindlessly throwing everything into your luggage without having to spend hours whittling your holiday wardrobe down to the bare minimum, either. From my extensive experience, I'd say that the best check-in suitcases are the ones that come with four wheels for easy handling, and separate zip-up compartments for your more delicate items. Though fabric suitcases are generally lighter, for long trips I recommend hard-shell cases as they're far more durable and less likely to get damaged in transit.
For those looking to invest in a seriously sturdy check-in suitcase that doesn't cost the earth, you can't do much better than Monos. The Canadian-born brand specialises in minimalist, understated luggage made using the same materials and factories as big-name luxury labels—but by selling direct to the consumer, they're a fraction of the usually-premium price. Plus, for peace of mind, each style is put through around 40 rounds of testing, and crafted using a special type of lightweight, aerospace-grade polycarbonate that's near-impossible to break.
Known for its spacious compartments, Eastpak's large travel trolley comes in a soft coating for those who aren't fans of hard casings (and the added weight that comes with them). This particular model has an impressive 121L capacity, double compartments, an integrated lock and external compression straps to ensure your belongings are well-protected for any long-haul journey.
Samsonite's luggage is definitely one to have on your radar if you have any long-haul holidays planned—and often even ends up discounted in the regular Amazon sales, so it's worth keeping your eye on if your trip isn't imminent. This medium-sized suitcase weighs in at an impressive 3.6 kilograms thanks to the high-quality polycarbonate body, and comes in a variety of stylish metallic shades, making it very easy to spot on the conveyor belt.
If budget is no issue, you will never regret purchasing a Rimowa suitcase. The brand's instantly recognisable luggage effortlessly combines luxury with functionality, crafted from high-end anodised aluminium and featuring hand-made leather handles. The unique trunk design also boasts a flex divider, the brand's famous multi-wheel system, and enough space for a minimum of 14 days of travel. The best part, though? Every Rimowa comes with a lifetime guarantee, so you never need to worry about having to fork out for a replacement.
If you're looking for a large suitcase that offers both style and substance, consider this abstract hunter-green animal design from Radley. Not only is it easy to spot from afar—and therefore more easily tracked-down should it ever go AWOL—but it's also crafted with a strong, hard-shell exterior to maximise durability, and fitted with a zip-around expander, interior pockets and webbing tapes to make packing a breeze.
Best Travel Bags
Though less easy to drag around than a suitcase, a travel bag is a great space-saving choice, especially if you're heading on a mini break by car.
Our Fashion Director, Lily Russo-Bah owns this underseat carryall. Designed to keep all of your items organised and safe, it also includes functional design details for comfort and ease, like short-to-long handles and a zip closure at the top, and a sleeve to secure it on your trolley.
It wouldn't be a travel bags round-up without Longchamp. As someone who does at least two long-haul, 10-hour flights a year to visit family, this bag has helped make my travel stress-free—and seriously stylish, too. I've been able to fit all of my essentials plus any added shopping that may come my way at the airport, without the need for an additional carry-on.
There's a reason why Loewe's tote bags continuously sell out. Keeping the everyday traveller in mind, they are spacious, chic, and practical. The brand's latest drop includes a collaboration with Paula's Ibiza for the ultimate summer bag that can double as both an airport and beach essential—and even better, it's 40% off in the sales right now too.
Best Travel Accessories
Travel accessories don't often get the recognition they deserve, even though they have the ability to do most of the heavy lifting for you. Vanity cases and packing cubes might not sound very exciting, but I genuinely can't live without them.
If you've never used packing cubes before, just do yourself a favour and buy some. I've gifted sets to all my family and friends, and they're hooked, too. I use them to separate different categories of clothes like socks, underwear and accessories, to make finding an item and unpacking that much quicker. Monos' are the best in my experience—and with more than 2,500 five-star reviews, it seems everyone else agrees.
I detest twisted chains and a jumble of earrings, so this jewellery case makes me very happy. It keeps all my jewellery nice and tidy thanks to several pockets, hooks and zips. It even has a panel to stick studs on. Genius.
I can't go anywhere without a travel pouch. Perfect for holding cosmetics, cables, snacks, passports, chargers, foreign currencies... You name it. This Saint Laurent leather design is a chic upgrade that I can assure you will get plenty of use out of—and it's elegant enough that it can double up as an evening bag, too.
Never underestimate the power of a double-zipped pouch. This Smythson style is perfect: sleek enough to not take up too much space, while still being large enough to fit all of your essentials.
