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 35% off Annual Summer Sale

Sunglasses. Swim trunks. Sweater polos. Suede chukkas and loafers. Huckberry's annual summer sale is on.

5 hours ago

Nordstrom Anniv. Sale Sneak Peek, Bonobos HOT sale, & more – The Thurs. Sales Handful

From Target clearance t-shirts, to 43% off Brooks Brothers 1818 line Italian suits.

2 days ago

Most Wanted Affordable Style – July 2026

Linen-wool sportcoats, UK made dirty buck chukkas, and longingly looking (very) forward to fall.

3 days ago

In Review: Banana Republic Italian Wool Signature Suits

In person with BR's flagship suit separates.

3 days ago

Steal Alert: Christopher Ward’s Summer Sale

Significant savings. While they last. Which usually isn't very long.

3 days ago

Win it: The Caravelle Sea Hunter Automatic 39mm Dive Watch

One of the best affordable watch releases in recent memory. Yours to win. Perhaps.

5 days ago