Cute luggage sets: Recs for budget suitcases = a luggage upgrade

Raise your hand if this has happened to you: You get off the plane and head to baggage claim, tired and ready to get out of the airport as fast as possible. But when you look for your luggage, there’s a problem: All the suitcases look exactly like yours. You’re stressed because what if someone takes your bags by accident? You and I don’t need that kind of anxiety when we travel—which is why I have my eye on buying new cute luggage sets.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always used whatever cheap suitcase that got handed down to me. I flew to Ghana for a summer with a suitcase whose zipper was permanently open, and to Singapore with a suitcase whose wheels fell off. Much of my luggage has been held together with duct tape. #KeepingItClassy

So—time for a luggage upgrade!

Are you ready to invest in cute luggage sets, too? I have good news for you:

1. I’ve done a bunch of tedious luggage shopping for you. In this post, I’m linking to high quality, cute luggage sets so you don’t have to scroll and scroll and scroll some more to find nice and affordable luggage.
2. Luggage typically goes on sale several times a year. So below, I’ll also tell you the best time to buy luggage.

If you’re anything like me, you’re ready for a luggage upgrade. So let’s get to it!

This post contains affiliate links. By clicking and buying, I earn a small amount of income at no extra cost to you. This allows me to continue to bring you stellar travel content for free!

Cute luggage sets I recommend

Instead of spending hours shopping online or—worse—walking aimlessly through the travel section of a department store, simply browse my curated selection of cute luggage sets.

Basic but colorful luggage sets that stand out in a crowd

I often buy AmazonBasics products—they’re like the generic store brand. Just like the generic cereal at the grocery store is pretty much the same as Cheerios, only cheaper, this AmazonBasics luggage set is comparable to other high-end bags but at a better price.

I like that this three-piece colorful luggage set is easy to spot on the baggage claim carousel, it comes with three varying sizes, and the spinner wheels make them easy to roll. Plus, the geometric pattern on the hard shell exterior takes a basic luggage set up a notch.

Details:

Name: AmazonBasics Geometric Luggage Set
Price: $200
Dimensions: 24″, 28″, and 20″ tall
Features: 360-degree spinner wheels, TSA-approved security locks
Cool bonus: This cute luggage set comes in green, black, cream, pink and orange, and it’s eligible for free Prime delivery

Cute luggage sets that make you feel like you can storm a castle

There’s something about this luggage set from Steve Madden that makes me think of knights’ armor. I’d feel like a bad-ass character from Game of Thrones rolling these suitcases through an airport. Like, Bequeath me that first class upgrade, and I shall not behead you.

And you better bet no one at baggage claim is going to try to sneak away with this luggage set. Can you imagine trying to be inconspicuous with a roll-aboard like this one? Nah, me neither.

Details:

Name: Steve Madden B-2 Hard Cases in Armor Silver
Price: $220
Dimensions: 24″, 28″, and 20″ tall
Features: Eight 360-degree spinner wheels on each suitcase so you have even more control over steering your bags
Cool bonus: This cute luggage set has a 5-year warranty, and this luggage set also comes in a psychedelic purple style that would totally match the fanny pack I’m obsessed with and wear everywhere

Pretty in pink luggage sets

I like to rock my side cut and leather bomber jacket, but I also like being pretty and girly. That’s why I like this pink luggage set. Even if I were taking a red eye flight and had major eye bags, I’d still feel pretty rolling these suitcases through security. And I seriously want nail polish in this color.

But don’t think being pretty doesn’t make this luggage—or me—anything but tough. I can kick serious tush during a boxing workout class, and this luggage’s hard exterior should keep all your gear protected.

Details:

Name: Ginza Travel PP Material Luggage in Light Pink
Price: $160
Dimensions: 24″, 28″, and 20″ tall
Features: 360-degree spinner wheels on each suitcase and TSA-approved security lock
Cool bonus: This cute luggage set has a 2-year warranty and has been shown to withstand being dropped or crushed (because who knows what happens once you check your baggage)

Floral luggage sets

This pretty floral luggage is sweet without being over the top girly. That is to say, I think my husband would also use it without giving me too much grief. That’s important to me because I want a budget luggage set anyone in the family can use: I don’t want to buy luggage sets for every family member!

I also love this floral set of packing cubes and toiletry bags. My packing cubes are so boring. I’d love to get this set!

Details:

Name: Chaps 3-piece spinner luggage set in Navy Floral
Price: $175
Dimensions: 24″, 28″, and 20″ tall
Features: 360-degree spinner wheels on each suitcase and soft sides, which are often lighter than hard cases
Cool bonus: This floral luggage set also comes in red

Eco-friendly luggage sets that make a statement

This adorable 4-piece luggage set makes me feel like I’m about to go on a safari. Even better, the suitcase material is made from recycled plastic bottles!

I like this West African-inspired print, too. I spent a total of about 6 months in Ghana and brought home yards and yards of fabric. Seeing prints that remind me of my time in Ghana make me so happy! And I’m pretty sure this cute luggage set would make me smile, even if my flight got delayed.

Details:

Name: Lily Bloom Luggage 4-Piece Suitcase Collection in On The Prowl
Price: $240
Dimensions: 24″, 28″, and 20″ tall, plus a tote bag
Features: 360-degree spinner wheels on each suitcase and tons of zippered pouches inside the bags to keep your things organized
Cool bonus: I like the tote, which I would totally use on quick overnight trips that didn’t require a whole big suitcase

The most easily spotted luggage sets

When I travel, I’m all about getting through the airport fast: I power walk to my gate, make sure I pee in the lavatory before we land so I don’t have to wait in long bathroom queues in the airport, and grab my checked bag as soon as I see it. That means I’m out of the airport and on to my destination without wasting any time.

This bright yellow luggage set can’t be ignored. That means you’d spot it as soon as it emerged onto the baggage carousel. You definitely won’t have to triple-check the luggage tag to make sure it yours. There will be no mistaking this bright luggage set is yours!

Details:

Name: Merax Expandable Luggage Set in Yellow
Price: $120
Dimensions: 24″, 28″, and 20″ tall, plus a tote bag
Features: TSA security lock. Note that while you’ll get free shipping with this luggage set, it’s not eligible for free 2-day Prime delivery.
Cool bonus: These suitcases come with a 5-year warranty. What’s more, these sets also come in cherry red, black, blue, sky blue, purple, green, orange, gold and silver.

Disney princess luggage (because I have girls)

My kids have Frozen suitcases that they are obsessed with. Whenever we’re going on a family vacation, I get out their Disney princess luggage so they can play and play with them.

I like that having special kids’ suitcases makes my children feel special. What’s more, they feel ownership for that suitcase, which makes them more likely to pull their own bag. Finally, they’re excited to pack! My kids pack all their own clothes for overnight trips to Grandma and Grandpa’s as well as week-long international vacations.

I couldn’t choose just one Disney princess luggage example, so I’m going to include a few.

I like this Disney princess luggage that features Rapunzel, Tiana and Belle:

My kids have a suitcase almost identical to this Elsa luggage:

And this Disney princess suitcase comes with standard 1-day free Prime shipping, in case you are taking a last-minute family vacation:

The best time to buy luggage

The best time to buy luggage is in the late summer/early fall. Why? Retailers figure that at in August and September, most people have already packed for and finished their fun summer travel. Since there’s less of a demand for luggage sets during this time, stores and online retailers are trying to move products off the shelves.

That’s what makes now one of the best times to buy luggage.

March is also an excellent time to buy luggage. That’s because stores get the newest styles of luggage this month, so they want to sell last year’s versions. That’s good news for you if you want to buy luggage sets! You can get the previous year’s models—which are, of course, still perfectly cute and functional. Only you’re likely to get a more expensive set for budget luggage prices!

Why buy a luggage set vs individual suitcases

For years I thought buying luggage sets was silly. I figured I could buy my suitcases piecemeal, save a few bucks and travel well anyway.

Now that’s not how I roll. (get it?!)

I like buying cute luggage sets together for a couple of reasons:

1. Luggage sets are usually nesting. That means that they fit together like Russian nesting dolls. When you’re not traveling, then, you can store two suitcases inside the largest one, and save a ton of space. Marie Kondo would be proud!
2. Luggage sets provide a variety of sizes. Sometimes you just need a lightweight carry-on for quick trips. Other times you are going on an extended vacation (or you’re packing the whole family’s gear in one suitcase). And sometimes you’re in between—you need a medium sized bag. That’s why I recommend buying luggage sets, so you have all the options at your fingertips.
3. Luggage sets give you a discount for buying three bags at once. If you bought three bags individually, you’d end up paying more than if you bought the luggage set. Companies tend to charge less since you’re buying them together.

Time to upgrade to cute luggage sets

When I was younger, I thought I’d feel grown-up when I bought a headboard for my bed. Or when I bought coasters to protect furniture I didn’t buy from IKEA. Or when I had a baby.

Turns out that actually investing in cute luggage sets makes me feel like I’ve finally grown into my big girl pants!

I don’t want the baggage checkers to put the “already damaged” sticker on my suitcases anymore. (Yep, they definitely do that.) I want nice, but affordable, suitcases so I don’t have to stress about getting from A to B.

Do you feel the same way? If so, I hope this post saves you time in finding the cute luggage sets you’ll use for years.