Vintage Pan Am Bags

Reproduction vintage Pan Am travel bag, wash bag and passport cover

Flying High
Established in 1927, Pan American was at one time the largest international air carrier in the States. The airline began as a  began as a mail and passenger service between Florida and Havana and grew to be an innovator and major International force in the airline industry.

Peaking in the 60s and 70s,  the airline boasted millions of passengers, flying in 150 jets to 86 foreign destinations. Its slogan was The World's Most Experienced Airline, designed to instill confidence and familiarity in passengers.

Back in the days when air travel was largely the province of the affluent, possessing an airline bag was something rather special - it meant you were an air traveller and thus one of the fortunate few who could afford to fly. After the arrival of the jet age in the late 50s, the first Pan Am airline bag, the Orion (above), was given away to jet -setters in the 1960s. The perfect size for on board travel.

Vintage Suitcases and Trunks

 Travellers set of 3. Cargo

Retro Luggage

Euro Suitcases by Cargo

Vintage suitcases have a lovely charm about them, especially the genuine article, which also come with a history and the interesting patina of age. I love the rounded shapes and contrast trims of 50s luggage...but the pseudo-old ones are a good substitute if you don't happen to have any old mid-century baggage lying around.

Road suitcase by Cargo

The cheaper ones make great storage boxes for odds and ends or for decorative purposes and of course the better quality cases can be used as real luggage.

Retro Leather Travel Case

Andrew Marc men's travel case.

The beauty of leather is that it improves with age, not to mention the fact that it just feels, smells and looks better than its vinyl subsitutes.

Of course, one of the chief  disadvantages of leather is the price tag. Leather is no longer the standard material for bags and cases. It's a luxury item and at $125, the Andrew Marc's distressed retro calf leather travel case at right is pretty darn pricey, especially for what is essentially, a toiletry bag..

Still, cheap travel cases come and go but one like this will outlast the others by years, has a macho charm and will feel terrific every time you use it.