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May 10, 2023

13 Best Luggage Sets for 2023 Travel, Tested and Reviewed

Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn

Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Pull up to the airport in style

The best luggage sets are a kind of travel status symbol. It doesn't matter if you’re flying first class or entering an exclusive members’ lounge: If you show up to the airport with pristine matching luggage, every other passenger will wonder where they can score your carry-ons for themselves.

Travelers have two routes when choosing a luggage set that's envy-inducing and practical at once: Opt for a pre-selected bundle, or create your own set. I personally love the mix-and-match aspect of a customized lineup. Regardless of which path you embark on, the most important luggage set details are size, durability, and cohesion.

Among the best carry-ons and checked bags are both soft fabrics and hard-shell casings. Taking a side is a matter of preference. "Hard-shell bags look tough and chic, but fabric can really withstand the journey from the moment it leaves your hands," Bloomingdale's home fashion director Kelley Carter explains. But hard-shell bags—including Carter's favorite Rimowa set—have their benefits. "Because it is a hard-shell bag, it's usually lighter in weight than fabric bags, which makes the carry-on much easier to maneuver into the overhead bin," she says.

Whichever style speaks to your travel aesthetic, our favorite luggage brands will have you ready to fly the friendly skies in style. Turn heads at the terminal with any of the 13 best luggage sets ahead.

Away allows you to design your own set, so you can ensure you are picking out luggage tailored to your needs. The brand has taken over baggage claims everywhere with its attainable quality and surprisingly spacious designs. For summer, you can try limited-edition colors like this bright pink, or you can stick with Away's reliable neutrals.

What reviewers are saying: "My Away suitcase rolls over smooth and rough terrain without a problem, and no more ‘flipping over.’ Other reasons to love it include: color, easy to clean, the interior layout, ease of locking/use, it seems to fit in all overhead bins (even on smaller planes). Almost forgot, I also have the matching TECH case…LOVE!"

Complete the set: $945 for The Carry-On, The Bigger Carry-On, The Large

This exclusive set includes two bags: one extra large, one petite. It's ideal for someone traveling with their child, as the smaller bag can be easily wheeled around while the bigger one gets checked.

What reviewers are saying: "We just used the suitcases for a trip to Florida and couldn't be more happy with them. There was plenty of room to fit clothing and other necessary items."

Leather straps give this crisp luggage set a vintage feel. The polycarbonate composition is lightweight and durable. The best part? You can get it monogrammed for a personal touch.

If you want a no-frills, standard set, this pair of hard-side spinners from Amazon will deliver. It also can expand to give you up to 15 percent more packing space, a helpful addition.

What reviewers are saying: "I am extremely impressed with this luggage. The suitcase is the perfect size for a weekend trip or a short business trip, and the hard-shell design provides excellent protection for my belongings."

Australian brand July makes a luggage trio that is sleek, sophisticated, and smart. Choose from 14 colors to pick a hue that feels like you.

What reviewers are saying: "This is such a lightweight and versatile bag. It glides so easily over every surface, especially carpet. You can fit so much into it and it's an added bonus having the power bank. I love that you can have it at whatever height suits you, it takes the strain off your shoulders."

Herschel's soft luggage has the same durability that has made its backpacks such a staple. These roller bags have the capacity of a classic duffel, but the wheels and retractable handles allow for seamless travel. And if you prefer hardshell, well, you can find that from the brand's new Heritage Hardshell collection.

This set has its name for a reason. It features four of Paravel's bestsellers—a checked bag, a carry-on, a packing cube quad set, and a weekender—and an extra duffel that folds up neatly. As a bonus, all of Paravel's products are composed of recycled materials.

What reviewers are saying: "Carry-on excellence. So excited to be fashionable and efficient!"

A retro collection of luggage from Badgley Mischka is sure to impress. A carry-on, medium, and large bag await in this set.

What reviewers are saying: "I am so over the moon excited to have received this 3-piece luggage set. I love that each piece has a zipped bag attached. This set is very sturdy and withstood everything that the airlines could do to it."

A three-piece set makes for an extremely practical purchase, given the long-lasting qualities of soft-sided luggage. Expandable capabilities allows for ample storage in all three bags.

This bag is the king of all hard-shell cases, plus Bloomingdale's home fashion director Kelley Carter's favorite select. Rimowa's lightweight suitcases make a bold statement with their tough matte exteriors. The tech features are also impressive, including a height-adjustable divider inside the suitcase and smooth wheels for easy steering through TSA. A full Rimowa set is an investment, but with a lifetime warranty, it's well worth it.

Complete the set: $3,200 for Cabin S, Trunk, Check-In

Perhaps you have more of a modern minimalist aesthetic, in which case this Calpak is appealing. While the marbled exterior is nice, the interior zip divider, mesh pocket, accessory pouch, and adjustable tie-down strap prove its value.

What reviewers are saying: "I dragged these around with me all over Italy on planes, trains, boats, you name it! It's really lightweight, and I love the print because it hides the marks and scratches."

A carry-on, a bigger carry-on, and a checked case cover all of the bases. Drawing from traditional African black-and-white block prints, the striking design is complemented by practical elements like water-repellent zippers, compression boards, and TSA-approved locks.

Tumi's collection of hard-shell packing cases are top of the line, including this lilac roller bag. Having used it on my own travels, I can vouch that it fits more than you’d think and glides smoothly. Plus, the environmentally friendly shell is made from recycled polycarbonate.

Complete the set: $1,700 for International Expandable Carry-On, Extended Trip Expandable Packing Case

There's a common belief that hard-shell suitcases are the most durable. Carter, the Bloomingdale's home fashion director, is here to dispel the myth.

"Contrary to what many may think, soft-sided luggage is the most durable," the luggage expert says. "Hard-shell bags look tough and chic, but fabric can really withstand the journey from the moment it leaves your hands, all the rough handling throughout, and still glide its way back to you intact and, for the most part, scratch-free."

Always choose a brand you can trust for checked luggage. I find Tumi to be the most reliable of the bunch, as it holds its shape no matter what the airport throws at it.

Carter is also partial to Tumi's soft-side luggage. Its "special weave and coating make it extremely durable. And because it is a soft-side, there is more packing capacity," she explains. "If you’re like me and need lots of options, this gives you the freedom to pack all your looks and edit when you get to your destination."

For more than 150 years, Harper's Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion, beauty, and lifestyle resource for women at every age. We cover what's new and what's next in fashion by working with the world's leading authorities in ready-to-wear, footwear, accessories, and more. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of editors and industry experts.

Gaby Keiderling is a New York based writer, working on fashion, lifestyle, travel, and sports features. She also covers celebrity style for Esquire's 'Get Ready with Me' franchise. Her work can also be seen in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and more. Sometimes you can spot her around the West Village, out on a walk with her dog Sneakers.

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