Top 20 Best Vintage Style Suitcases in 2019 Compared

By Oscar Brumel | Last Updated October 14, 2019

Haircuts with too much hairspray, dressed-up people from the middle class, and classy leather suitcases. The fifties bought us many things that we can now romanticize about. Compared to today’s suitcases, we must say that suitcases looked much better in the good old days.

If you’re looking for a vintage suitcase, you essentially have two options. Your first option is to get a restored suitcase from Etsy. If you go this route, you’ll end up with a heavy suitcase that doesn’t live up to today’s standards – no expandable zippers, no TSA-approved locks, no spinner wheels, e.t.c. That’s why many people go with the second option – new, vintage-inspired suitcases.

If you too decide to go with the second option, then continue reading because, in this article, we’ll:

• Compare the 20 best vintage style suitcases;
• Tell you what to look out for before getting one;
• Help you determine what type of vintage suitcase you need;

Step 1: Figure out What Type of Vintage Suitcase You Need

Vintage Style Carry-Ons

Vintage-inspired carry-ons (18-22 inches in length) usually come in two types: zipperless suitcases without wheels or regular wheeled suitcases. Although wheelless options are more authentic-looking, you’ll have a harder time moving them around. If you instead go with a wheeled version, the suitcase will still look authentic but will be much easier to move around and come with all the other modern features, like expandable zippers, TSA-approved locks, and various packing features.

Vintage Style Checked Suitcases

Checked suitcases (23-32 inches in length) are usually better for over-packers, and people who often travel more than two weeks at a time. If you aren’t one of those minimalist packers, who can stuff everything inside a single carry-on and a backpack, no matter how long the trip, you should get a checked suitcase.

Vintage Style Luggage Sets

If you regularly use a checked suitcase, chances are, that you’ll also be using a carry-on. Buying a 2-piece or 3-piece luggage set is usually much cheaper than buying the pieces separately. An added bonus to buying a luggage set is that almost always all pieces will fit inside one another, so they won’t take up too much space when not used.

Vintage Style Duffle Bags

There are a lot of vintage-inspired duffle bags on the market. These usually come within the carry-on or personal item size limits, and are great for a quick weekend getaway.

Step 2: Choose the Right Size

When you’ve determined what type of vintage suitcase you’re looking for, you need to learn in what dimensions the suitcase should be.

1. Checked bags (23-32 inches): Make sure that you get a checked bag below 62 linear inches (height + length + width).
2. Carry-ons (18-22 inches): Make sure that it’s below 22 x 14 x 9 inches, which is the most common airline restriction for carry-ons. The correct dimensions are with handles and wheels included. That said, a half-inch or even an inch above the limit is nothing to get too concerned about, as most of the times nobody actually asks you to measure the bag.
3. Personal items (12-17 inches): You can find quite a few underseat vintage-inspired duffels and suitcases that are within the personal item size limits, so you can usually take them on the plane in addition to your carry-on. The exact personal item size restrictions differ from airline to airline, but generally, personal items shouldn’t exceed 17 x 10 x 8 inches.

Step 3: Other Things to Consider Before Getting Vintage Style Luggage

• Does the bag come with spinner wheels? Spinner wheels are better for girls because they’re super easy to move around and require much less effort to pull compared to two rolling skate wheels. If you’re getting a bag with spinner wheels, make sure that the wheels look durable and that the outer rubber layer is thick enough. Also, preferably, get a bag with double spinner wheels instead of regular ones.
• Are the locks TSA-approved? If you’re getting a hardside bag with combination locks, make sure that they’re TSA-approved. The TSA security agents are authorized to break regular locks on checked suitcases if they need to perform an inspection, so having a TSA-approved lock is not only recommended but necessary.
• What material is the suitcase made out of? Make sure that your suitcase is built out of durable materials. Here are all the possible hardside materials, ranked from the most durable to least: Aluminum > Polycarbonate > Polypropylene > ABS. And here are all the luggage fabrics, ranked from the most durable to least: Leather > Ballistic Nylon > Cordura Nylon > Canvas > Regular Nylon > Faux Leather > Polyester.
• What warranty does the bag come with? Make sure to check out what’s the manufacturer’s warranty like. Try to find one with at least a 3-year warranty, and not from an unknown Chinese manufacturer.
• Is The Manufacturer Reliable? You should also consider what luggage brand you’re choosing. In vintage-inspired luggage, Delsey and Herschel will be the most reliable ones. Other somewhat reliable ones are Lily Bloom, Steve Madden, and AmazonBasics. All the other ones mentioned in this list are Chinese manufacturer brands. They’re usually cheaper but won’t provide a solid warranty.
• Do the zippers look durable? If you’re getting a bag with zippers, make sure they look durable and thick. Preferably, choose a bag with YKK Japanese zippers, as they’re the most durable ones on the market.
• Does the suitcase come with enough compartments for organization? Although on vintage-inspired luggage the looks probably outweigh the practicality, try to find a bag that comes with as many useful packing features as possible, like tie-down straps, internal and external pockets, shoe pockets, toiletry pouches, laundry waterproof pouches, e.t.c. You’ll value this decision later when you’re already used to the unique looks.
• How much does the suitcase weigh? Try to find a bag as lightweight as possible. You’ll have an easier time picking it up to the overhead compartments and have more weight left for additional items inside. That said, sometimes it’s worth sacrificing a little bit of weight if it means that the bag is made out of more durable materials, like genuine leather, polycarbonate, or aluminum.

Vintage Style Carry-Ons

1. Delsey Paris Chatelet 20-Inch Spinner Carry-On

Although the Delsey Chatelet is quite expensive, it’s by far the most durable carry-on mentioned in this list. Delsey is a well-known French luggage brand that’s essentially very similar to Samsonite in durability, warranty, and reliability.

This vintage-styled carry-on is built from polycarbonate – the most durable luggage plastic. That said, the small leather trims are made from faux leather. For this price, we’d expect genuine leather, but that’s not a huge dealbreaker, as these leather elements are only visual, not bearing any load.
It’s also fitted with many other useful features, like TSA-approved combination locks, double spinner wheels, and a stop-lock feature under the retractable handle, which ensures that the suitcase will stay in place on angled surfaces. Inside, it’s covered with beautiful red lining, and both sides of the main compartment are enclosed with unzippable fabric sheets. You’ll also find several pockets inside for organization, and x-shaped tie-down straps for keeping your belongings in place.

You might find a similarly good-looking vintage suitcase, but it definitely won’t be as durable, come with such good features, and won’t be backed up by such a reliable warranty.

2. Cotrunkage Geniue Leather Zipperless 20-Inch Spinner Carry-On

The Cotrunkage carry-on is the only vintage-inspired suitcase that’s made entirely out of genuine leather. (Well, at least between all the ones we’ve mentioned in this list.) This means that it’s incredibly durable, but also really expensive.

It’s worth noting that this suitcase is zipperless and the edge where the zipper is supposed to be is made out of aluminum. In fact, a lot of zipperless suitcases are made with the same system, because the aluminum frame ensures that the bag won’t get bent under pressure. It’s a solid system, and it works. They’ve also added protecting covers around the edges, which is nice.

From outside, it’s protected with two TSA-approved locks. When you open the bag up, you’ll be amazed at how classy the striped interior looks. There are quite a few pockets for organization inside, as well as a detachable panel for keeping your items in place. Because the main compartment is rectangular, this bag will also be very efficient for packing cubes.

Although this bag isn’t made from a reputable brand, like Delsey, it’s really durable, good-looking and packed with useful features, which is why we think that getting the Cotrunkage carry-on is a rock-solid deal.

3. Cotrunkage Floral 18-Inch Suitcase

If you’re looking for a suitcase-style carry-on without wheels, this one is the best one that’s currently on the market.

It’s in a perfect size to be used as a carry-on and will be a perfect addition to your checked suitcase. It comes in several vintage-looking patterns, but our favorite is definitely this rose-gold pattern.

Features-wise this bag is pretty simple. It’s protected with a regular combination lock, which isn’t TSA-approved. That’s not a huge deal-breaker, though, unless the bag is checked-in. Inside, it’s essentially a spacious rectangular compartment with a few pockets for all the smaller items and two compression straps. Also, this bag comes with a shoulder strap, so you won’t have to carry it by the handle every time.

4. Steve Madden 20-Inch Spinner Carry-On

This Steve Madden carry-on is a slightly more modern-looking, and it comes in various cute colors and patterns.

Although it isn’t built from the most durable materials, it’s really popular, and a lot of people have said that it lasts a long time. What’s even better, this carry-on is really cheap. In fact, the cheapest carry-on mentioned on this list.

Outside, it’s fitted with three smaller pockets for all the smaller items and four wide spinner wheels, so the bag doesn’t tip over. When you open up the main compartment, you’ll also find that there’s an additional expansion zipper, which expands for additional 25% packing space. The main compartment is also fitted with tie-down straps, a wet pouch, and several smaller pockets for organization.

We really like this option, because it’s so good-looking and cheap. It won’t last frequent travel but will be enough for people who travel one or two times per year, and at that rate should last at least a decade.

5. HoJax 20-Inch Spinner Carry-On

The HoJax carry-on is very similar to the Cotrunkage Geniue Leather version but costs half the price.

That’s because it’s built from slightly less-durable materials. Instead of genuine leather, it’s built from polypropylene and faux leather. Also, it isn’t zipperless and doesn’t have an aluminum frame, unlike Cotrunkage’s model. But despite that, this bag is still pretty durable, especially when you take into account how cheap it is.

Although the main compartment is protected with a TSA-approved combination lock, unfortunately, it isn’t expandable. Inside, it’s fitted with a posh-looking lining. It also has tie-down straps and a few pockets for organization, which is nice.

So if you’re looking for an affordable, but authentic-looking vintage case, this one is probably your best bet.

Vintage Style Checked Suitcases

6. Delsey Paris Chatelet 24-Inch Spinner Suitcase

If you’re getting a checked suitcase, you want it to be really durable, because often checked bags get thrown around quite a bit and they might end up at the bottom of the luggage pile during the flight. The Delsey Chatelet spinner is the most durable suitcase featured on this list because it’s built from durable materials.

Essentially, it’s identical to the 20-Inch carry-on version, just larger. If you need a larger version, it’s also available in 28 inches, but for most 28 inches will be just too large.

The Chatelet comes with four double spinner wheels, so you won’t have a hard time moving the bag around. Although the main compartment isn’t expandable, it’s protected by a TSA-approved combination lock, which is nice. The interior is fully lined, contains several pockets for organizing all the smaller items, and has x-shaped tie-down straps for keeping all of the clothes in place. Also, both sides of the main compartment are separated by a fabric sheet, so when you open the bag up, nothing will fall out.

Just like the 20-inch carry-on version, we believe that the Delsey Chatelet checked suitcase is the best vintage-looking option on the market.

7. Uretravel Zipperless Aluminum Frame 24-Inch Spinner Suitcase

If you instead prefer more rectangularly-shaped vintage suitcases, then the Uretravel Zipperless will be the best checked option out there.

Although it’s built by a Chinese manufacturer, the quality is on-point. It’s built out of a polypropylene mix with faux leather elements. This suitcase is zipperless, and the zipperless edge is protected with an aluminum frame, which means that the suitcase won’t bend under stress. Also, there are additional corner guards for added protection.

This bag also comes other useful features, like two combination locks that secure the main compartment and four spinner wheels, which make the bag fairly easy to move around. That said, the locks aren’t TSA-approved, so we wouldn’t recommend setting the combination to anything other than 0-0-0.

The Uretravel checked suitcase is available in several good-looking color options, so you have a nice variety to choose from. And if you’re not convinced yet, this bag has a 15-day no-matter-what return period and a 1-year warranty, which is nice.

8. Unitravel Zipperless 26-Inch Spinner Suitcase

This Unitravel retro checked suitcase is very similar to the Uretravel’s option, only slightly different. In terms of price, both cost roughly the same.

Most likely, both suitcases are manufactured in the same Chinese factory, just sold by different brands. The Unitravel 26-Inch checked is made out of faux PU leather, and is zipperless. That said, they haven’t used an aluminum edge around the zipperless part, which makes it slightly less durable than the Uretravel’s option.

In features, it’s very similar to the Uretravel’s checked suitcase. It comes with two regular combination locks for protecting the main compartment and four smoothly-rolling spinner wheels. The inside compartment is fully lined and comes with a few pockets for storing all the smaller items and a tie-down panel with extra built-in pockets.

9. Lily Bloom Patterned 28-Inch Spinner Suitcase

The Lily Bloom Patterned softside is a rock-solid choice for a vintage-inspired checked suitcase. Instead of resembling the classy looks from the ’50s and the ’60s, this suitcase looks like it was made in the ’70s – in the hippy era.

This Lily Bloom checked suitcase looks strikingly similar to the Steve Madden’s model. That’s because Lily Bloom is owned by the same parent company as Lily Bloom, along with quite a few other luggage brands, like Lucas, CIAO, Pathfinder, Andiamo, and others.

It’s available in various colorful and fun patterns. And in addition to looking good, it also functions quite well. It comes with four spinner wheels that are placed fairly widely so that the suitcase doesn’t tip over. From the exterior, it’s fitted with two smaller pockets for some smaller items, in addition to having a few extra pockets in the main compartment. Inside, you’ll find a spacious, expandable main compartment with two tie-down straps for keeping your clothes in place.

And what’s even better, this suitcase is really affordable, compared to all the other checked options mentioned on this list.

10. AmazonBasics Vienna 28-Inch Spinner Suitcase

But if you’re looking for something more modern, yet still vintage-looking, then the AmazonBasics Vienna Checked suitcase is a really great option.

Out of all the checked options mentioned in this list, the AmazonBasics Vienna is one of the cheapest options, similar to the Lily Bloom Patterned option, just hardside. Although it’s built from ABS, it will be durable enough for most people who travel one or two times per year.

The Vienna also comes with four double spinner wheels and an expandable main compartment. Unfortunately, you won’t find any TSA-approved locks on this bag, which are pretty common on hardside suitcases.

The main compartment is quite simple but effective. On one side, you’ll find x-shaped tie-down straps, and the other side is separated with an unzippable fabric sheet, so all of your items don’t fall out when you open up the suitcase. Also, it’s fitted with several smaller pockets for organization.

The Vienna checked won’t be an option that lasts for decades, but it’s really affordable and durable enough for people who travel for leisure.

Vintage Style Luggage Sets

11. Delsey Paris Chatelet 3-Piece Luggage Set

We already featured Delsey Chatelet as the best vintage-inspired option out there for checked bags and carry-ons, and it won’t come as a surprise, that we also feature the Chatelet luggage set as the best vintage-style luggage set out there. It’s not for everyone, though, because it’s really expensive, compared to all the alternatives.

This luggage set is built from the most durable hardshell luggage plastic – polycarbonate. Although the small leather elements are made out of faux leather, they don’t play a major part in the functionality – they’re there only for design purposes. Everything else, the double spinner wheels, the aluminum handles, and the zippers are all really durable and backed up by Delsey’s reliable warranty, so if you do invest in Delsey Chatelet, you’ll be sure that this set will last a long time.

Although the bags aren’t expandable, the main compartments are fully lined, good-looking and well-organized for packing all of your stuff. Also, all three pieces fit inside one another, so you won’t have any problems with them taking up too much space.

If you’re looking for the most durable and well-functioning vintage-looking luggage set out there, you should go with the Delsey Chatelet 3-piece.

12. Uretravel 3-Piece Luggage Set

If you’re looking for something more authentic-looking, then the Uretravel 3-piece luggage set will be a rock-solid option. It’s also fairly affordable.

This luggage set is available in many different color combinations and in different sizes, so you have a wide variety to choose from. We must say, that out of all the vintage luggage sets, this one is also one of the best-looking ones.

The exterior shell is built out of polypropylene, which means that this set is really lightweight. 17.6 lbs for a 3-piece luggage set really isn’t much, as some heavy large checked suitcases weigh more than that. Although polypropylene isn’t the most durable luggage plastic, the corners are protected with additional corner guards, which means that the exterior shell is fairly durable.

The two larger bags come with double spinner wheels, which means that they’ll be easy to move around, and the smaller suitcase has a shoulder strap. All three bags also come with TSA-approved locks, which is nice if you’re checking them.

13. Co-Z 2-Piece Luggage Set

If you don’t carry that much stuff with you on your trips, then maybe it’s a smarter choice to get a 2-piece set instead of a 3-piece one. In the features, durability, prices, and looks, it’s very similar to the Uretravel 3-piece set above, only slightly different.

This 2-piece luggage set isn’t built from the most durable materials out there, but it’s really affordable. This luggage set is made out of faux leather, and the corners are protected with corner guards, which means that the bag shouldn’t lose shape when heavier bags are stored on top.

This suitcase is zipperless, which means that it’s much safer than regular suitcases. The main compartment is protected with two TSA-approved locks, which means that you’ll be able to use the larger suitcase as a checked bag. Also, it’s worth noting that the larger bag comes with four spinner wheels and the smaller bag with a shoulder strap, so you won’t have a hard time moving them around.

Similar to the Uretravel 3-piece set, we think that this 2-piece vintage-looking luggage set is one of the best-looking options out there.

14. Steve Madden 4-Piece Luggage Set

Remember how we explained that there essentially are four types of vintage-inspired luggage types? Well, if you get the Steve Madden 4-piece luggage set, you’ll get all four types – a carry-on, a checked suitcase, a luggage set, and a duffel bag. And what’s even better, this set is really affordable.

It’s available in several different color options, which means that even if you don’t fancy the black-brown combo, you can find another better-looking style.

Because this set is so affordable, you’d expect it to be built out of polyester – a somewhat cheaper luggage fabric. However, it’s actually built out of nylon – a much more durable fabric. Many people said that they’d used this set for years without any issues. And to top it all off, it’s backed up by Steve Madden’s 5-year manufacturer warranty.

All three suitcases come with four widely-placed spinner wheels, which means that they won’t tip around and will be easy to move around the airport. Thee three larger pieces are also expandable. The smaller carry-on is small enough to fit the carry-on size requirements on most airlines, and the smaller duffel might be used as a personal item if you don’t pack it too full.

Overall, this is a really solid luggage set when you consider how well everything is made for such an affordable price tag.

15. 19V69 Italia 3-Piece Luggage Set

If you’re looking for the most affordable vintage-looking luggage set out there, it’s the 16V69 Italia 3-piece. The whole luggage set costs cheaper than a single Delsey Chatelet carry-on.

That said, this set won’t be as durable. It’s built out of ABS – the least durable luggage plastic on the market and the leather elements are all made from faux leather. That said, there’s additional protection on the corners, and it comes with double spinner wheels instead of regular ones, so it’ll be durable enough for most people. Also, many people said that they didn’t experience any issues with this luggage set.

Features-wise all three pieces are expandable, and the main compartment has all the essentials you’d expect. The main compartment is fully lined, has separating sheets on one side, and tie-down straps on the other one, in addition to having a few pockets inside for all the smaller items.

You definitely wouldn’t expect the 19V69 Italia luggage set to be so affordable, because it looks so classy. If you get this luggage set, you’ll definitely have some people looking back as you pass them.

Vintage Style Duffle Bags

16. Viosi Geniue Leather 21-Inch Duffle

It’s hard to find a better-built vintage-looking leather bag than the Viosi Oversized travel duffle. It’s built from genuine leather, and they’ve even used YKK zippers, which means that this duffel will likely last decades. But because they’ve used only premium materials, this duffel is also fairly expensive.

The Viosi leather duffel is just in the right size to be used as a carry-on. It’s plenty spacious inside, and also comes with useful pockets for organizing all the smaller items. Inside, you’ll find a padded laptop pocket that fits up to 15.6-inch laptops, three additional interior pockets, as well as another zippered pocket on the outside.

This is one of the most authentic-looking vintage duffels out there. Although it’s quite expensive, we think that it’s well worth the price. And we’re not the only ones who agree, because this duffel has received absolutely amazing reviews by their customers.

17. S-Zone Canvas/Leather 21-Inch Overnight Duffle

Here’s another well-built duffle bag – the S-Zone Canvas Travel Duffle. You’d expect it to cost twice as much, because it’s built from expensive premium materials, like canvas and genuine leather, but in fact, it’s quite affordable.

Canvas is really durable fabric, often used in older camping and military gear, and it’s more durable than polyester or nylon, which are the most common fabrics in today’s travel gear. That said, canvas material is much heavier and isn’t waterproof, compared to polyester.

The S-Zone is a versatile duffle that you’ll be able to use on many occasions – for camping, sporting, traveling, or business. It has several built-in pockets for organizing all the smaller items, it’s affordable, and comes in several color combinations. If you’re looking for a simple, but durable vintage-looking duffle bag, then the S-zone will be a rock-solid choice.

18. Herschel Strand 17-Inch Duffle

If you’re into retro stuff, then you might have heard of Herschel. They’re a Canadian travel gear manufacturer that makes vintage-looking backpacks and duffels. Their options are also really durable, which is nice.

The Herschel Strand 17-Inch duffle is just in the perfect size to be used as a personal item, which means that you can take it in addition to your carry-on. This duffle is available in several vintage-looking color options, so you got plenty to choose from.

Practicality-wise, this duffel is fairly simple. Inside, it’s lined with their signature striped lining, and the main compartment isn’t fitted with any pockets. That said, you do get a small pocket on the backside of the exterior, where you can slip in your passport or phone. It’s also worth noting that this duffel doesn’t come with a shoulder strap, which means that you’ll always have to carry it by the top handle.

19. Ililily X Vintage Disney 19-Inch Duffle

Ililily is another retro apparel brand which you might have heard about. They aren’t as popular as Herschel, but they also make some good-looking and well-made vintage travel bags. That said, their products are slightly more expensive than Herschel.

This duffle is slightly too large to be used as a personal item on most airlines, which means that it’s probably a smarter choice to use it as a carry-on instead.

The main compartment isn’t too complicated, and only offers one smaller pocket for organization. As opposed to Herschel, this duffel comes with a shoulder strap, which means that it’s slightly easier to move around.

If you’re a fan of Disney, you’ll surely appreciate the vintage look of this Mickey Mouse inspired duffle.

20. BluBoon Retro 19-Inch Duffle

This BlueBoon duffle is not only really affordable but also looks like it was made in the 90s when doing athletics in a brightly-colored, tight costume was cool.

The BlueBoon duffle is available in several bright color options, so you have enough options to choose from. On all of the option, a shoulder strap is included, which means that you won’t have to carry it by the handle all the time.

A cool feature that they’ve added is a side shoe pocket. Essentially, you can unzip one end of the duffle, and store your shoes in it. It’ll take up space from the main compartment, but all of your other items stored there won’t get dirty. The main compartment is quite roomy and only has one pocket in there for storing all the smaller items.

This duffle is slightly too large to be used as a personal item, which means that you’ll most likely have to use it as a carry-on unless you pack it half-full so that you can pass the airport box tests. It’s versatile enough also to be used as a sports bag or as an everyday item.