Modern Updates to the Trunk Suitcase

Travel trunks are a classic suitcase style that was once the premier way to haul luggage. While they retain their obvious elements – square shape and tendency to be on the larger side – many updates have been made.

Featuring dual zippered divider flaps and buckled compression straps, this sturdy trunk allows for organized packing with ease. Its deeper central compartment can accommodate multiple sets of packing cubes.

Antique

In fine condition, trunks make a striking decorative addition to nearly any room in the house. They are especially valuable if they can be dated and even bear the maker’s mark, which can help collectors determine their authenticity.

Antique trunks, also called traveling chests, were originally used for extended trips by stagecoach or train. By the 1860s, when railroad travel expanded, sturdy and elaborate trunks with custom interiors were available. Customers could even provide trunk makers with illustrations to decorate their cases, such as trade cards and Currier and Ives fashion prints or hand-colored Godey dress prints.

Other styles of antique trunk suitcases include Jenny Lind, Saratoga, monitor and steamer trunks, which essentially doubled as wardrobes to keep clothes wrinkle-free during the course of a voyage from one city to another. Wardrobe trunks also featured a fold-down table and were often decorated with folk art paper and hardware. The distinctive shape of barrel-staves, dome-top and octagon trunks, wall trunks, and full dresser trunks are all examples of the many shapes of trunks that were made throughout history.

Vintage-Inspired

Whether you’re going on a romantic weekend trip or jetting off for a month abroad, a vintage suitcase is the perfect companion. These bags are typically hardwearing and easy to maintain, with many showcasing ornate detailing like luggage straps, brass hardware and nailhead details. They also typically come in a range of colors, so you can find the perfect suitcase to suit your style.

Vintage-inspired trunk suitcases are popular luggage backpack among travellers who want to bring a classic look to their travels. These cases offer an elegant, traditional aesthetic with a range of features like telescoping handles and silent all-terrain wheels to make your journeys easier.

This suitcase from Gabbiano is one such example. It has a sturdy aluminium construction, corner reinforcements to cushion bumps in the road and smart features that will help you pack for longer trips like a buckled compression pad and three mesh pockets. Multiple Condé Nast Traveller editors swear by this suitcase, including global audience development manager Abigail Malbon, who used it to emigrate with her family.

Modern

Modern trunk suitcases have a more streamlined appearance and are usually made of a lighter material. They are less likely to scuff in transit than traditional wooden trunks, but they can still be prone to scratches and dents. They’re also more expensive than the more vintage-inspired styles.

For those who want to take a more modern approach to travel, this stylish case from Monos is a smart choice. It’s a great value for the price, and it features a durable, tough polycarbonate shell with a sleek metallic finish. It’s equipped with a telescopic aircraft grade aluminum ergonomic handle, four double spinner wheels, and two TSA-approved combination locks.

In addition to its classic trunk shape, this suitcase also includes a unique built-in shelving system that transforms it into a portable closet. Its spacious interior is perfect for packing two weeks of clothing, plus shoes and a Dopp kit. It even has a weight indicator that turns red when the case is packed too full (say goodbye to overweight baggage fees). The best handbag manufacturers interior is perfectly color-matched to the exterior, with matching lining and mesh pockets, as well as zipper heads that are a shade lighter than the outer shell to make them easier to see.

Security

During flight travel, suitcases are at high risk of being tampered with or stolen. Most thieves are able to do so without leaving any trace and without the bag’s owner realizing it until they arrive at their destination and start unpacking. Luckily, there are several ways that travelers can make their luggage more secure while they’re on the road.

For example, tying ribbons around suitcase zippers is a simple way to make it impossible for potential thieves to pry open the zipper or look through the contents of a bag. It’s also a good idea to put a duplicate luggage tag or a travel itinerary with contact information inside of a bag in case an external luggage tag gets lost during transit.

Another security measure is to invest in a sturdy suitcase lock. These locks can be secured with a combination or key and offer an extra layer of protection for luggage during transit. Some suitcases also come with built-in TSA-friendly locks that can be opened and inspected by airport staff if necessary. This allows passengers to avoid any unnecessary hassles during the check-in process and saves them a trip to baggage claim once they reach their destination.

Weatherproofing

When you’re traveling for a long period of time in weather that can be erratic, packing your trunk suitcase with some weatherproofing measures may help prevent any water damage. You can also buy a reusable travel bag protector that fits into your luggage and prevents liquids from spilling.

If you’re really concerned, you can add a waterproof lining to your suitcase. You can even make your own waterproofing cream at home with a little bit of beeswax and some olive oil. Apply a thin layer to your bag and massage it in. Let it dry before packing your bags and you’ll be prepared for whatever weather is in store.

The difference between waterproof and water resistant seems like it would be obvious but there’s more to it than that. For a bag to be waterproof it needs to be constructed with material that doesn’t have pores, or at least seals those holes that are woven into the fabric. It also must be free of needle holes and stitching, which can leak or break. You can add a rain flap to your bag for extra protection too.