Rimowa “Cabin” Aluminium Suitcase

 

At the British Airways Lounge
Philadelphia International Airport

Most travelers are far too blasé about their luggage.  Yes, the skies have been democratized and all class of people can purchase a plane ticket. But when it comes to travel, if you’re going to do it then do it with style…

Generally speaking, I tend to not be like ‘roll-aboard’ luggage (suitcases with wheels).  It just comes off as so lazy to me.  If you can’t carry a bag, well, should you really be traveling?  Having said all of that, there is one brand of wheeled baggage that I truly adore: Rimowa.

Founded 125 years ago in Cologne, Germany, Rimowa luggage is the real deal.  The brand is famous for their aluminium luggage with parallel grooves; a design they pioneered in the 1930s.  One thing to keep in mind: there is nothing more unattractive at the airport, other than people wearing pajamas, than pulling along a fake aluminium Rimowa ‘lookalike’.  

There are two elements of the Rimowa aluminium luggage that make it iconic.  First, it gets dented.  Some would say this is a bad thing, but those in the know are aware that there is nothing more worldly than a smashed up Rimowa suitcase.  Second, the stickers!  Unlike most luggage, you can decorate your Rimowa suitcase with stickers from all the countries and locales you have been to.  

Rimowa taps into something we have sadly neglected in our modern age: the romance and adventure of travel.  Then again, if your idea of travel is going to Ocean-City or Disneyland then I have zero sympathy for you.  Please board your Spirit Airways flight and go away.  However, if you are an actual human and want to see the world, you can’t go wrong with Rimowa.

There is no way to blunt this, so I am just going to say it: the Rimowa carry-on case costs $1,800.  The only defense I have is that you will have it forever…

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