Categories: Etc.Travel

Would you carry it? The vintage suitcase

Vintage Fabric and Leather Striped Suitcase – $139.00 ($500)

Item via HauteLook.  It’s final sale, and how they determined the normal “retail price” is a mystery at the least. 

Is the flash-sale retail community hooked on antiques road show?  Even some first run retailers (Fossil for example) appear to be diving into local flea markets, consignment shops, and thrift stores in search of the old, sometimes bizarre, and often incredibly… well, cool.

If sites like Gilt have led the way in the category of vintage watches, then other flash sites seem to be expanding into vintage luggage.  Nordstrom owned HauteLook for example:

 21″ x 19″ x 9″ Suitcase – $139, 14.5″ x 9.5″ x 9″ overnight case – $99, 18″ x 17″ x 11″ Suitcase – $139

Yes there are immense risks.  First, they’re all final sale (as almost all of these vintage items are.)  So you don’t know what they smell like, how well the latches hold, etc…  The retailer can always say “oh, we never intended anyone to actually use them as luggage… this is decor only.  Who’d actually use them for travel?!?”

But look at em’.  The large suitcase even has what appears to be the key attached to the handle.  If you’re afraid of it popping open in transit, maybe a couple Saddleback Leather utility straps laced under the handle would do the good-looking-trick.  Probably not the best idea for someone travelling often by air, but for weekend trips?

Would you carry it?  And is the legitimate-retailer markup worth whatever peace of mind it might give?  Or would you stick to the obvious alternative: eBay?  And meanwhile, anyone need some fencing foils?

Joe

Recent Posts

Huckberry: Up to 45% off Annual “See you out there” Sale

The Huck team is off on vacation. Which means their big winter clearance is very…

2 days ago

Charles Tyrwhitt’s Winter Clearance, Sanders Restock, & More – The Thursday Sales Handful

Brooks Brothers starts their winter clearance with an additional 25% off sale items.

3 days ago

10 Best Bets for $75 or Less – Nike “JingleShots,” Cedar Scented Beard Balm, & more

Plus a Christmas album you probably haven't heard yet this year. Maybe.

4 days ago

1 Sale, 5 Outfits: J. Crew up to 60% off + add. 10% off Holiday Event

With a focus on holiday events. It's their last sale before their shipping cutoff.

5 days ago

How to look like you should be taken seriously – 10 Style tips

Style choices to make for those times when how you're perceived is critical.

5 days ago

In Review: The Timex Deepwater Reef 200 41mm Quartz Watch

Timex grows into a solid, grown-up dive watch design.

6 days ago