The Item I "Wear" to Death: My Rimowa Luggage

In our biweekly series, editors share "the item they wear to death," whether it be a basic white tee or a super-trendy jumpsuit. Prepare yourself (and your credit card) for some guilt-free shopping.

There’s nothing I love better than a weekend escape, but there’s nothing I love less than the headache of lost luggage, plus long lines at the check-in counter, extra baggage fees, and the inevitable overweight bag. If it were up to me, I’d arrive at the airport with just enough time to pass through TSA and board within minutes of taking off. The stars don't always align that way, but having a roomy and reliable piece of carry-on luggage occasionally affords me the opportunity of doing just that. After years of using junky luggage with broken wheels, unwieldy handles, and uncooperative zippers, I finally woke up to the world of investment luggage. Enter: my trusty Rimowa Essential Lite suitcase (opens in new tab).

With 121 years behind them, the German-born brand has a rich history of perfecting every detail on their suitcases—from their signature grooved aluminum exteriors (an ode to the world's first all-metal aircraft) to the 360-degree spinner wheels that will keep up with you as you sprint to your connection to the TSA-friendly locks that safely store your baubles. For a petite lady like me, one of the real selling points was its light weight, a necessity when climbing subway stairs and navigating baggage claim. The roomy interior with convenient mesh sides is also a luxury, because packing lightly can pose challenges, especially heading into sweater weather.

This luggage is an investment, but with a slurry of limited-edition pieces and collaborations with famed designers like Dior and Supreme, it’s no wonder the bag has accrued a cult following.

This summer, Sotheby’s New York even honored the brand’s legacy with a show of limited edition suitcases, some dating back to the late 1800s—the golden age of ship and train travel. The original It bag, if you will, an investment suitcase is a rite of passage for anyone who likes to travel (and who doesn't?). If one too many broken suitcases has sent you into a tailspin, save those pennies for a nice piece of luggage you'll have for decades, or try one of these stylish and sturdy alternatives.

Need a new suitcase? Start with the options below:

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