18 03 25

Leather bags shopping UK 2025: What started out as a war orphan’s one-man bridle and harness-making shop now produces some of the world’s most sought-after designer handbags, led by the Birkin. The high price tags and strong resale value make them the top handbag investment piece. The exclusive nature and timeless designs have helped cement Hermès bags are some of the most covetable designs available today. The Kelly: Designed as a luxury handbag and designated ‘for the princesses of the world’, and named after a real-life princess and owner, Grace of Monaco (née Grace Kelly). The Constance: The perfect everyday shoulder bag, the Hermès Constance is an ideal, compact choice. Read additional details at https://www.penshop.co.uk/pens/leather-bags/leather-messenger-bags.

This trunk-style suitcase from Carl Friedrik is slightly taller and narrower than most checked luggage. While the Hartmann Reserve Trunk has a 50/50 partition, this one has an 80/20 divide, which is great for irregularly shaped or bulky items that wouldn’t necessarily fit in a regular suitcase. We found it impressively spacious, fitting all items on our packing list with room to spare, so it would also be perfect for a long-haul trip. We appreciated all the organizational features, including the collapsible dividers, zippered compartments, and compression straps. It comes with three removable packing cubes, too. It has three latches to close it instead of zippers, which add a sleek look. While this trunk is somewhat heavy when empty, it’s not cumbersome or bulky. That said, we thought it was easier to maneuver on two wheels than four when we rolled it straight up beside us rather than pulling it behind us. The handle only had one height, likely due to the height of the trunk, and it did stick when we pushed it almost all the way down, though we still think it felt sturdy enough to support the bag. All things considered, we think this suitcase would be ideal for longer trips on account of the spacious capacity and packability.

Many may be names you are already familiar with; forever staples from Chanel, Gucci and Dior, but you will also find new styles from heritage brands, alongside new names to know in the world of designer handbags, in this round-up. These are the accessories that are actually worth investing in, whether you are treating yourself or looking for a very special gift, in the market for an evening bag or are after a tote that’s perfect for the office. These are designer names you can trust. We love this small Kaia bag from YSL, which is sure to become a treasured piece in your wardrobe. It feels as classic as they come. It’s not difficult to see why Dior’s Saddle bag remains so popular: the style – which first appeared on the catwalk in 1999, became an ‘It’ bag in the Noughties, and has been a staple ever since – is the perfect way to elevate any day or night ensemble.

Premium luggage can make your traveling experience more efficient and enjoyable. For those who want their baggage to be not only well-made with useful features, but also stylish enough that onlookers can’t help but notice, luxury models are where it’s at. If you’re willing to pay a premium for the best of the best luggage, you’ve come to the right place. Our Travel + Leisure team has tested more than 650 pieces of luggage both in our testing lab and at home, checking for capacity, organization, design, maneuverability, and durability. For this article, we chose our favorite luxury suitcases that had thoughtful design features, rolled seamlessly through our obstacle courses, and survived our drop and baseball bat tests (yes, we hit these stunning suitcases with metal baseball bats to make sure they were as durable as they are beautiful). Check out our list of the best luxury luggage pieces that are worth the investment.

Samsonite’s Freeform Carry-On is a solid choice for international trips, thanks to its size (the correct size for most overheard bins across a number of international airlines), great storage capacity and reasonable price. The brand has been producing high-quality suitcases since 1910, and its spinner is compact but expandable by one inch when you need more packing room. While this option might not have the sleek, trendy look of a Monos or Away suitcase, its functionality more than makes up for it. “I took this suitcase with me on short weekend trips as well as longer flights,” says a member of our testing panel. “As an overpacker, I found the expandable panel very convenient for squeezing in extra clothes.”