Leather briefcases shop with penshop.co.uk: In 1945, Celine Vipiana opened a small shop with a red elephant – which would become the brand symbol – on the rooftop. The shop has expanded into a recognized fashion label, known for its minimalist take on style. Macadam: A combo of canvas and leather and gold-tone hardware. With the signature Celine Macadam pattern, front logo patch, and two top handles. Triomphe Bag: The Triomphe has an embroidered textile exterior and a sleek leather trim. This English company was founded by then 21-year-old former draper’s apprentice, Thomas Burberry. In 1879, he introduced gabardine fabric.The 1920s saw the unveiling of the now ubiquitous Burberry checked print. Fittingly, the company’s Latin logo means ‘Forward’. Olympia Bag: Two-toned and saddle-shaped and made in Italy. It has a front zipped pocket. Lola Bag: The Lola bag takes on the signature Burberry check and reinvents it in a stitched style. See additional details at https://www.penshop.co.uk/pens/leather-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.
What are the most popular bags right now? Every bag in this edit it a timeless design, but many certainly nod to some of the biggest handbag trends of the moment, which includes supersized totes, nostalgic hits from the Nineties and Noughties and slouchy clutches that work day to night. It also features work bags, cross body bags, shoulder bags, suede bags, and much more. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, we have got you covered, too. See our round-up of the best designer handbags under £500, here. And, don’t forget about pre-loved styles. Make sure to check out the best luxury resale sites to sell your old bag or to hunt for a secondhand bargain.
We were impressed by the thoughtful design features of this gorgeous Hartmann Reserve trunk both inside and out, with a curved handle that adjusts to 12 different positions, waterproof pockets, built-in compartments and dividers, two packing cubes, a shoe bag, a large garment bag, leather details, and hand-painted wheels (that didn’t get chipped or damaged even after we directly hit them with a baseball bat). This Hartmann suitcase has a 50/50 divide, which we thought helped us to evenly distribute the weight using the different compartments. This ultimately made the suitcase light and easy to maneuver, despite the fact that it weighs 14.11 pounds — the heaviest suitcase on this list. The wheels rotated seamlessly, even more smoothly than some of the smallest carry-ons we’ve tested, and you’ll be able to maneuver through a crowded airport pretty easily with this, though it would take up a lot of space in a car trunk or on any sort of public transportation.
Thanks to its heft, unbreakable polycarbonate shell and versatile design, Monos’ Carry-On Pro Plus was named the best hardside option on this list. “I was impressed with its durability, size and thoughtful design details,” one of our testers says. It features TSA-approved locks, quiet wheels, vegan leather accents and a built-in front compartment for easy access to your essentials. “The easy access was a big time-saver as I went through security,” our she mentions. The suitcase easily fits into the overhead bin, and this particular model features a front pocket that can hold a 16-inch laptop. Those who like to express their personality through their suitcase selection are in luck—the Carry-On Pro comes in 11 stylish shades, including Rose Quartz and Olive Green.