BagExchange.com

Behold, leather luggage. That’s definitely a sign of being a grown-up. Even deep in the midst of adulthood, I feel like a kid. In my mind’s eye, I’ll always be the starving youngish woman in her mid-20’s just starting out in the workforce and already thinking, “This sucks, I want to go back to school.” I still have some bags from those days that I use to travel with. I mentioned the nylon Gap bag from a previous thought wander. I have some canvas type rollers and a hodgepodge of duffel bags that have seen better days. They don’t match. They don’t even complement one another, and they definitely do not reflect my taste. This is a case of function over form or actually, function stomped over form. I guess it’s one of those things that if you don’t see, you don’t think about it. That’s been my take on luggage, embarrassing as it is. And, while I do not want to, even if I could afford to, purchase something…let’s say, a full set from Louis Vuitton…I want luggage that will grow gracefully because it reflects the old soul in me. My mind has been on packing lately, since with Thanksgiving coming around, not only am I thinking of that day, but the few relatives that always fly back here to California to share the time with. Piel Leather has been around over 33 years, and their leather is full-grained napa leather from Colombia. It’s natural leather that over time will age into a dark glossed look, sure to reflect the experienced traveler or Indiana Jones (When I see unglazed leather, I am taken back to the San Lorenzo open air market in Florence, Italy). I think what I like as much as the unpretentious leather are Piel Leather’s modest price-point and the large and varied selection of pieces, which all can be chosen as a mix-n-match. I have showcased perhaps a pinkie-full of what is available through eBags. As for myself, a toiletry kit must be durable and not look like a plastic bag because it’s carried onto the plane with me. These days, when I travel, it’s usually to see the in-laws or family and friends at a wedding or a formal function, so a garment bag is pretty useful for my husband’s suits and my and the kids’ formal attire. I really should start another fund, not for a handbag, but for a whole set of luggage….

Starting from left–

• Piel, Deluxe Toiletry Kit in Saddle, leather U-zip opening, nylon lined, two inside zip pockets and compartments for bottles, cosmetics and pesonal accessories, two side open pockets, front and rear zip pockets, adjustable/removable shoulder strap, $143.
• Piel, Leather Carpet Bag in Saddle, leather, two open front pockets, zip top reveals extra roomy compartment, small inside zip pocket reinforced with straps and dowels for strength, two outside zip pockets, and double handle hand straps and shoulder strap. $218.
• Piel, Zip Around Travel Garment Bag in Saddle, leather, zip around opening to reveal large compartment capable of holding up to three suits, expands to 42″, two inside detachable mesh pockets, two front pockets top handle and adjustable/detachable shoulder strap, $259.
• Piel, 20′ Duffel Bag with Pockets in Chocolate, leather, two side zip compartments, U-zip open to main compartment, small zip-pocket in flap, three half-moon zip pockets in front, double handle with padded grip, adjustable/detachable strap, $199.

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