Companies like Rimowa and Supreme may be only revisiting the trend now, but suitcases were considered a fashion statement even as much as 150 years ago. Look at Louis Vuitton’s ancestry and you’ll know that the carrying-cases for your clothes were given as much importance as your clothes were, and while for the most part suitcases today are utilitarian, they also are a part of your sense of style. Monos is a part of a small but growing movement to take high-street fashion, but make it affordable. While a Louis Vuitton or Rimowa suitcase isn’t particularly in everyone’s budget, Monos makes style accessible by bypassing all premium-brand collaterals, escaping all the brand markups and luxury taxes these high-value brands impose on their consumers. The Monos travel case is minimalist and pristine, with a level of attention to detail almost comparable to Apple. Every line is sculpted with intent, and every fillet is measured to perfection, giving you a case that is thorough in its design process, down to even the selection of materials and color palettes. Designed across three sizes, Monos comes in two cabin-compatible variants and a larger check-in variant, giving you enough storage for 3 weeks of travel altogether. The case’s construction is given as much importance as its design details, with the hard-case being made from impact-resistant polycarbonate, along with high-grade aluminum telescopic handles that seamlessly integrate into the case’s forms. The reverse coil YKK zippers, color-coordinated detailing, and TSA-compliant locks all lend to the case’s pursuit of perfection. On the inside, the Monos travel cases come lined with a soft, waterproof, anti-microbial fabric lining to keep your clothes looking, smelling, and feeling fresh on the inside. Designed with the same kind of intent that fashion designers make clothes with, Monos is yet another travel case that proves that your suitcases are just as important as the clothes you carry in them, and form a conscious part of your own personal style statement. It just so happens that Monos is one of the only bags to make that philosophy accessible to people without the inflated price tags! Designer: Hubert Chan (20% off). Less is more. Monos is a premium, minimalist luggage, using only the finest quality materials and components. All at a fair price. “We started by slowing down to mindfully look around us. We studied the ripples in water when it rained. We observed the color gradations in the sky when the sun rose and set each day. And in all these moments, we found a common visual rhythm. We distilled and refined this rhythm into the minimalist, asymmetric progression of lines that would become our luggage’s signature design,” Hubert Chan, designer of Monos told Yanko Design. “For us, the lines signify change, in all its forms. Travel – and life – changes us. We embrace the fact that nothing can stay the same forever. Our studio’s name (Monos), after all, comes from the Japanese concept of – the profound appreciation of the impermanent,” said the design studio. Weighing in at only 6.9 lb, 7.1 lb, and 10 lb, the Monos Carry-On, Carry-On Plus, and Check-In are exceptionally light. They built their cases with ultra-light, aerospace-grade polycarbonate, and stripped out all the unneeded junk. Texturized and powder-coated, their matte finish shell is scratch-resistant. The German-made Makrolon polycarbonate in their luggage isn’t just harder and stronger than your average suitcase’s ABS plastic – it’s nearly impossible to break and it easily bounces back into its original shape. Instead of cheap cast zinc resulting in those flimsy, wobbly handles, Monos used only high-grade aluminum for their tubes. And rather than the usual parallel configuration, they custom-designed the entire assembly to set their telescoping tube at opposing 45 degree angles, which greatly reduces lateral motion and makes the whole handle more solid and sturdy. As for the handle release button, rather than maneuvering your thumb on the top of the handle where the button is usually found, they found that it actually feels better to squeeze from the bottom. They re-engineered the button and hid it underneath, resulting in a clean, uncluttered handle that’s also more natural to use. At a mere 54 decibels, these Silent Run wheels would make a ninja envious. Other Hinomoto wheels are already quiet, but this is a grade above. Zippers look better with their teeth hidden. Every Monos suitcase sports color-coordinated YKK reverse coil zippers, chosen for their sleek look and unequalled reliability. Their interior lining and the included laundry and shoe bags all use a soft, waterproof, and anti-microbial fabric with a subtle laser-etched pattern detailing. The sized pockets in their side flap keep your small items together and free to be laid on top of, or between your clothes. A zipped panel on one half of the suitcase keeps your shoes and other items tucked away, while a compression pad and ballistic nylon straps keep your clothing compact on the other half. And generously sized, thoughtfully placed pockets maximize every inch of storage, meaning you can get more out of every trip. (20% off).