When it comes to luxury luggage, the premium British brand Carl Friedrik easily rivals Rimowa and Louis Vuitton. With the summer season here, if you’re debating whether to upgrade your suitcase or carry-on, Carl Friedrik needs to be on your radar.
Screen Time and Quiet Luxury
Its hard-shell aluminium or polycarbonate suitcases feature signature tan leather detailing – and enjoyed screen time in Succession – while the brand’s supple full-grain leather weekender bags are the embodiment of quiet luxury. It’s not just fictional billionaire businessmen putting their seal of approval on Carl Friedrik luggage; aspirational characters in The White Lotus and aristocrats in The Gentleman have also been spotted with the brand’s bags, which represent an unshowy display of wealth.
Swedish Brothers, London Roots
Founded by two Swedish brothers with a Bauhaus-inspired aesthetic, Carl Friedrik began life as a London-based leather brand selling wallets and briefcases. Today, its expanded product line is functional, minimalist and logo-free – the kind of luggage that has people asking in the passport queue where you got it.
Editor’s Travel Test
Over the years, I’ve accumulated various Carl Friedrik luggage items, including the carry-on hybrid in silver and tan, the Granville weekender in chestnut, and the compact weekender in nubuck. Durable, stylish and designed for ease while on the go, this trio has travelled with me around the world, from Marrakech to Vietnam and Australia. An investment now for a lifetime of trips, these are Carl Friedrik luxury luggage pieces I’d recommend shopping.
Top Picks
The Carry-On (Silver/Tan)
The carry-on case in silver and tan is my trusty steed when travelling. Boasting a premium aluminium frame but a supremely lightweight polycarbonate shell, the case combines style and substance. The carry-on – which fits the large cabin bag requirements for British Airways, EasyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air – is also available in five more sleek colourways, from tan and cognac to grey and chocolate, or navy and hackett. Price: £445.
Granville Weekender
This is the kind of bag that only looks better with age. I’ve had mine for two years – there’s no wear and tear, only that impeccable worn-in leather look. A great carry-on option for long-haul flights or a bag for a weekend away, the capacious interior features an array of pockets, a zip fastening, and a cross-body strap or grab handles. It can be slipped over your suitcase handles, too – meaning your bag won’t slip off the edges while travelling through the airport (not chic). Price: £795.
The Carry-On (Aluminium)
Carl Friedrik’s luxurious anodised aluminium suitcase is among the most affordable on the luggage market. Available with either cognac, black or grey leather straps and handles, the carry-on case nods to mid-century trunk styles, complete with TSA combination locks, silent wheels and interior compression pads, pockets and zipped compartments. Like all of Carl Friedrik’s cases, there’s no exterior zip – meaning no snagged clothes or wrestling with your suitcase to get it shut (just me?) Price: £645.
The Check-In Suitcase
For week-long trips and long-haul adventures, invest in the check-in suitcase. Designed with the same sleek, mid-century details, the case features grooved panel details and tanned leather handles. The lightweight polycarbonate shell is easily plucked from the baggage carousel, while internal straps and a compression pad help maximise space. Price: £545.
Compact Weekender
Carl Friedrik’s compact bag is designed for city staycations, weekends in the countryside or carry-on for short-haul flights. Measuring 46cm x 28cm x 18.5 cm, the bag complies with EasyJet and British Airways restrictions. The neutral vegetable-tanned leather colourways complement Carl Friedrik’s core luggage line – my favourite is the rich olive green shade. Price: £375.
