Gone are the days of dragging a dusty, battered old suitcase down from the attic and filling it with your favourite outfits. No longer a purely practical necessity, luggage has become an extension of our personal style... it's got to look good and work hard for you.

My tick list includes:

roomy but a manageable size (I've got to lug it everywhere after all)
sturdy and well made to pass the test of time
lightweight and easy to maneouvre (wheels non-optional!)
easy to spot on the conveyor belt
and of course, stylish!

Great luggage doesn't come cheap and isn't an investment to be taken lightly, so take the time to consider what you really need.

Any pro traveller knows that the golden rule is to travel with hand luggage only - if you can. Not an option for longer than a weekend in my experience, and definitely not in Winter when we need ALL THE LAYERS, but then I'm not one to travel light - and outfit options are a necessity, right?!

Unless your bag is being put in the overhead locker, steer clear of soft cases to avoid damage to your possessions inside. Either way, ask to have your luggage marked as fragile and it will be one of the first to come off of the plane.

Your suitcase is still likely to get chucked about a fair bit on its journey, so choose a case with separate compartments... no-one wants their outfits to smell of Duty Free gin on a weekend away.

Whether you're travelling for business, romance or a family holiday, enjoy my luggage edit.

NB** includes several cases which are pure fantasy (for me) but too gorgeous not to include!