There is something elegant about retro luggage. When traveling today, your luggage must meet TSA requirements, and many times, an antique suitcase will not meet the regulations. Fortunately, some companies are now making pieces that look like vintage luggage, but with modern materials and features. We have lined up a few of our favorites.
What is important when choosing Retro Luggage
When buying luggage, there are a few things that you need to consider before you buy.
Hardside or Softside Luggage?
Both hardside and softside luggage have their pros and cons. All authentic old school luggage is hardside. Softside has only come onto the scene in about the last 50 years. One of the advantages of softside luggage is that the sides are flexible. You can often fit in odd-shaped objects that you cannot fit into hardside luggage. You can also overstuff softside luggage a bit, but the danger in that is the zipper breaking.
Hardside luggage is a bit more durable and weatherproof. Softside luggage can become wet or stained more easily. If you have things like electronics or laptops, hardside luggage offers better protection. You have to remember that your luggage will have other pieces stacked on top of it, and a hardshell can help protect your things better in this situation. If someone else packed in something that breaks and leaks, then hardshell luggage might offer better protection.
TSA Regulations and Locks
Anyone who has traveled recently knows that the TSA poses many restrictions on what you can and cannot take with you. In addition, your luggage must meet regulations, or it will not be allowed on board. Each airline has its own regulations, too. Your luggage must meet size restrictions, whether it is a carry-on or a checked piece. Many authentic a vintage suitcase or an antique luggage trunk, do not meet these requirements. The vintage suitcase options that we have chosen in this review have a vintage look, but they meet modern regulations. However, you must still check with your airline before you travel to be certain.
Durable Construction
Durability is the most important factor in an old style luggage trunk or vintage suitcase. Many of them are made from tough polyurethane that is more scratch-resistant than leather. They have tough wheel assemblies and often have metal handles. One of the most important factors is that they have a strong zipper and locking mechanism that is not likely to break when it is being tossed around. Another thing to look for is wrapped corners to add stability and improve its stacking strength.
Organization
This is another area where it comes down to preference. Many people like to have lots of organizers and compartments for their things. Others like old school luggage that has wide, open spaces. Organizers can help to keep everything in place as the baggage handlers toss it around, but there are ways to pack that do that too. In the end, it is all a matter of what you like.
Best Retro Luggage Product Reviews
- CO-Z Premium Vintage Luggage Set
- COTRUNKAGE 2 Piece Vintage Luggage
- Steve Madden Designer 20 Inch Carry On Luggage
- NZBZ vintage luggage set
- SWISSGEAR 7739 Trunk, Hardside Spinner Luggage, Carry-On
- COTRUNKAGE Floral Vintage Trunk
- Unitravel Retro Suitcase Set
- Vince Camuto Jania 3 Piece Spinner Luggage
- Rockland Stage Coach
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Now that you have an idea of what to look for in retro-style luggage let’s take a look at our favorite picks for the best retro luggage that is available today.
Top 10 Best Retro Luggage Sets
1. CO-Z Premium Vintage Luggage Set
- Made from tough Polyurethane.
- Multidirectional, smooth wheels.
- Perfect for a 3-5 day trip.
This CO-Z Premium Luggage is a beautiful set that has a vintage look. One thing that we liked about this one is that the bag can be attached to the suitcase with a strap to keep them together. The wheels have a smooth operation and are easy to clean. The Suitcase has two TSA-approved locks. This set has a classic look, and it has plenty of room on the inside. It has pockets on the inside that are perfect for securing smaller items.
2. COTRUNKAGE 2 Piece Vintage Luggage
- Durable ergonomic handle
- TSA-approved locks
- Rich and sophisticated look
The COTRUNKAGE 2-Piece Luggage set has the rich, vintage look of real leather. This one has a tough handle that telescopes to the perfect height. One thing that we liked about this piece of luggage is that even when you overstuff the bag, the handle does not bend and deform. This set has TSA-approved locks that they can access without damaging the luggage. It is a durable and well-made set that is perfect for the 3-5 day trip.
3. Steve Madden Designer 20 Inch Carry On Luggage
- Harlo Grey
- Softside expandable
- Stable wheelbase
Steve Madden is a name that is well-recognized in the world of luggage. This Steve Madden Designer 20-Inch Carry-On luggage set is durable and made from gorgeous grey material. It is lightweight, which means that you can pack more of your things without going over the weight limit. It meets regulations for both domestic and international travel.
The wheels move in all directions, and this was one of the most stable luggage sets that we reviewed. The wheels are quiet, too. The lining material is durable polyester that will not rip or tear easily. This is an excellent choice for those who prefer softside luggage.
4. NZBZ vintage luggage set
- Distinctive design.
- Durable and easy to clean.
- Telescoping handle and side carry.
This distinctive NZBZ luggage set has a vintage look that stands out with designer detailing and metal accents. We like this one because it uses metal rivets that not only look distinctive, but they also increase the strength of the suitcase as well. It has a durable telescopic handle and wheels that roll easily, even on rough surfaces. If you are a person who prefers compartments for organization in your luggage, this is the perfect set. The outside is durable and waterproof. It has a TSA approved locking mechanism. This is a simply striking piece of luggage with a classic, vintage look.
5. SWISSGEAR 7739 Trunk, Hardside Spinner Luggage, Carry-On
- Durable and stable
- Rugged ABS construction
- 360-degree spinner wheels
This SWISSGEAR 7739 Trunk hardside luggage is a beautiful piece of luggage that says world traveler. It is durable and made from ABS construction with a reinforced wrapped grab handle. It is a beautiful piece of artwork with matching rose gold zippers, rose gold wheels, leather accents, and SWISSGEAR logo. It has a split interior that allows for extra space on the inside. It also has side pockets for smaller items. This suitcase has a look and feel of quality.
6. COTRUNKAGE Floral Vintage Trunk
- Pretty pink design
- TSA-approved locks
- Strong and durable construction
This COTRUNKAGE Floral Vintage Trunk is pretty in pink. Pink florals and polka dots were one of the most popular patterns in midcentury clothing and design. This piece of luggage has TSA-approved locks that allow airport security to open it using their master key. It is a comfortable piece of luggage to carry and has a telescoping handle with three locking positions. This piece has plenty of room on the inside, and the smaller piece is a nice size to carry with you. This piece of luggage has an iconic vintage look.
7. Unitravel Retro Suitcase Set
- Fine-grained Polyurethane leather
- Riveted corners
- Three-piece set
The Unitravel Retro Suitcase Set is a beautiful powder blue luggage set with retro details and design. It is made from polyurethane that is made to look like fine-grained leather. The surface is not only beautiful and gives it an authentic look, but it is also scratch-resistant. It has riveted shells on the corners that enhance the vintage look and add extra protection. The wheels can turn a full circle and move smoothly along any surface. One thing to keep in mind with this one is that it does have two retro combination locks, but they are not TSA approved. You get three pieces, and all of them are lightweight and easy to lift.
8. Vince Camuto Jania 3 Piece Spinner Luggage
- Black with gold detailing
- Push-button locking trolley handle
- Interior zippered pocket
This elegant Vince Camuto Jania 3-piece luggage set has simple and sophisticated lines. It is made from durable ABS plastic with a high-tech diamond texture. It has a luxurious fully-lined interior and a zippered separator curtain to keep things organized. It also has zippered side pockets and an adjustable valet strap. This stylish set is black with gold accents. The set comes with three different pieces, each of which has the same amenities and features, only in a different size. This is an excellent choice for a retro luggage set for the business traveler.
9. Rockland Stage Coach
- Authentic old-world look.
- Durable plastic corners.
- Comfortable telescoping ergonomic handle.
The 20-inch Rockland Stage Coach rolling trunk has an authentic old-world look and feel, only with durable modern materials. It has wheels that spin in all directions and that have a smooth operation, even on rough concrete. It has a comfortable handle that adjusts to the height that you need. It has a mesh zipper pocket on the inside to hold smaller items. This trunk has ample interior space and allows you to pack enough for a longer trip. It has durable PVC corners to help protect it. It only weighs a bit over six pounds.
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- Excellent value
- Softside expandable set
- Beautiful fabric design
The Rosetti Lighten Up Expandable 4-piece luggage set has a retro fabric design and is an excellent value for those who need to take more along with them. This a lightweight set, but it is also durable. It has wheels that can turn in in all directions for smooth operation. It has a vintage softside look, and it is enough for two to share.
All of the retro-style luggage in this review is an excellent choice. They have different features that make them stand out. They all have a vintage look, are tough, and comfortable to carry along. It is good to know that you have some excellent choices that have a vintage look and that have the durability and convenience of modern luggage.
