I'm lucky enough to have travelled a lot over my career. From the Maldives to Skegness, I've learned one universal truth with every mile of travel: a quality suitcase can make or break the experience. Those who've dragged a 22kg carry-on suitcase with three broken wheels through a stuffy terminal on a 45-minute layover will know exactly what I'm talking about.
There's nothing worse than skimping out on a cheap suitcase that falls to pieces having crashed onto a luggage carousel or been chucked into an aeroplane's hold, and I've learned that a bit of investment goes a long way. So it's no wonder I've fallen in love with Carl Friedrik and its latest Core range, which delivers the sort of quiet luxury luggage that has revolutionised my travels. Since its launch in 2012, the London-based brand has earned its reputation as a purveyor of beautiful Italian leather luggage and travel accessories.
So much so that it has been regularly featured as the bag of choice for the Roy family in HBO's Succession , Theo Baker's Eddie Halstead from The Gentlemen , and frequently occurred as a side character in the hit show White Lotus . I'm no lordly drug baron and don't spend much time squabbling over my inheritance, but such is the Core series' quality that it feels like you're punching up into the realms of first-class jet-setting a la Rimowa or Globetrotter . For my review, I was sent the large Check-in option in Navy , which had delicious vegetable-tanned leather detailing.
Retailing at £42.