Vintage leather luggage is easily found in thrift stores, antique shops, flea markets, and yard sales—often with a very appealing price tag. For example, I recently found several at our local Goodwill thrift store for $3.00 each. Ive even seen such suitcases at yard sales for 50 cents.
Old suitcases, especially ones from the 1940s through the early 1960s, are pleasantly retro, neutral in color, sturdy, and flat: qualities that make them perfect for decorating, storing items, and stacking. Ive seen this in several home decorating magazines and books, and Ive implemented this dynamic in my own home in several different manners.
 Vintage Black Leather Land Carry Bag Luggage LAND Brazilian Leather 15 X 23 X 7 US $9.06 |
 MINT VINTAGE TWEED LEATHER SKYWAY CARRY ON TRAIN MAKE UP LUGGAGE CASE W MIRROR US $9.99 |
 Vintage London Luggage Inc Leather Clutch Purse Black w Horse on Horse Shoe US $9.99 |
 Motorcycle small tool storage luggage bags leather set 2 vintage US $10.00 |
 Vintage HARTMANN Nylon Leather Luggage Travel Shouder Bag Garment Bag 2 Suiter US $13.50 |
 VINTAGE ORVIS battenkill LEATHER PULL OUT wheeled Luggage travel bag US $36.00 |
 Hartmann Luggage Vintage Black Leather Briefcase US $36.00 |
 Vintage Tweed Leather HARTMANN Carry On Tote Bag Messenger Luggage US $36.00 |
Below are ideas for choosing vintage leather suitcases, ideas for storage, and possible ways of assembling the suitcases. Choosing the right type of vintage leather luggage is important. The best suitcases for stacking and storage have perfectly flat tops and bottoms, and have a sturdy, hard outer shell. Suitcases that are compromised structurally or are flimsy at all will not be suitable. This is usually not a big problem in finding and selecting suitcases—they were made well and built to last.
Most age wear issues with old suitcases have to do with superficial wear and locks, handles, and the like that dont work perfectly. Luckily, this is not an issue when using them for decorating and storage purposes. Superficial wear like fraying, bumps, and patina lend an overall rustic, vintage effect that is pleasing, and the extent of any wear is just a matter of personal taste.
Although suitcases in almost perfect condition are harder to find, they are out there. It just might take a bit more patience and scouring to find them. One thing to remember is to inspect the inside of the suitcase before purchasing it. Ive found some really filthy vintage leather luggage innards with mold and mildew that just cannot be cleaned well enough to warrant buying. However, a minivac, lysol, windex, paper towels, and common cleaning products can really improve most older suitcases.
If youre like me—always looking for ways to keep items organized—you probably wont have to brainstorm too much to think of things you can store in the suitcases, from shirts to pants to vintage bathing suits. However, because of their very nature, its wise to give it a bit of thought, for best utilization.
First of all, the suitcases are portable. Make use of this idea. If you have a 72-hour emergency kit, the suitcases are ideal. Think of anything that should be grabbed quickly in a house emergency: a ton of old, loose photographs, photo albums, diaries, mementos, family antiques, silverware or china, etc. Anything of value, monetary or personal, that is normally stored out of sight, are good candidates for vintage leather luggage storage.
Of course, portability is not the only consideration. Suitcases make great storage for anything that needs to be out of the way, but readily accessible. Out of season clothing, shoes, potential children's hand-me-downs, holiday decorations, gift wrapping supplies, etc., all make great items for leather luggage storage. How nice not to have to dig though boxes and bags in the basement or attic.
Also, if you are a bargain shopper who stocks up on sale items, the suitcases make a great reservoir for stocks of small items such as office and school supplies, toiletries, candles, fabric, and just about anything.
