Travelling Businessmen - how do you stow your suits? (thread about garment bags)

[beny]

Originally Posted by Twotone

Take two suits to get you by then buy the rest when you get there.

Can't. From my understanding (and reading past threads) there are no decent tailors in Singapore. Singapore will be my first stop and I will stay there for 10 weeks before I go to HK (where I plan to get the suits made). If I am mistaken and there are quality tailors in Singapore, please let me know.

Originally Posted by globetrotter

you are leaving home and returning after 8 months?

Yes... 8 months at earliest, a year at latest.

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by beny

Yes... 8 months at earliest, a year at latest.

that isn't traveling, that is relocating.

then, yes, you need more stuff.

 

[mrmax]

Fedex all the way on this (or EMS for less money, to Singapore/HK)

The smaller bag is a much easier choice, as it will just be a commuter bag.

 

[beny]

Originally Posted by maxxed

Fedex all the way on this (or EMS for less money, to Singapore/HK)

The smaller bag is a much easier choice, as it will just be a commuter bag.

The problem is that I will never be in one place for very long (10 weeks at most, staying in some places for 4-6 weeks). Because I will be hitting 5-6 destinations, it would be a hassle to constantly mail luggage from one place to the next (especially w/o setting up residency at the next location until I reach the country... don't know where the bank will set me up) - much easier to put all my stuff in a large luggage piece and just check in at the airport.

 

[modmica]

I've just bought a few more Briggs & Riley pieces to give me more options depending on the trip length and dress code. These prices with an additional 20% off coupon code are very tough to beat:

Briggs & Riley at STP

 

[academe]

Originally Posted by beny

Can't. From my understanding (and reading past threads) there are no decent tailors in Singapore. Singapore will be my first stop and I will stay there for 10 weeks before I go to HK (where I plan to get the suits made). If I am mistaken and there are quality tailors in Singapore, please let me know.



Yes... 8 months at earliest, a year at latest.

As someone who grew-up in SingaporeI can say that is definitely NOT true and more than a little insulting.

You must not have done your research very carefully. Joe's Tailoring and Anson Tailor are well-respected. There are a few others, whose names I'm forgetting at the moment (pm me and I will check with friends living in Singapore). I know that some on the forum nitpick about whether they think WW Chan's do a better job than one of the lesser known Singapore tailors. I'd concede that WW Chan's *may* make a better suit (don't know from personal experience as I haven't had one made by them), but that's not to say that there are no decent tailors in Singapore.

There are also a dozens of designer stores in Singapore, so if you want to buy something off the rack and have it altered to suit you, that would be an option, too. Zegna, Cerruti, Giorgio Armani, & Ralph Lauren (purple and black labels) have heir own stores. The Club 21 boutiques in the Hilton & Four Seasons hotel carry Jil Sander, Dries Van Noten, Marc Jacobs collection, Raf Simons and Neil Barret suits, although in smaller quantities.

 

[mrmax]

This is why in the 'old days' people used to travel with trunks (my wife still does, bless her). Failing that, I think you could speak to Rimowa and have them custom fit one of their aluminum cases to hold suits on either side? Rimowa may be sacrilege on these forums (I'm new here) and if so, please do excluse the suggestion.

 

[academe]

Originally Posted by beny

Thanks for the replies. I will be in multiple locations/seasons in the same trip (Singapore summer, HK winter, London spring) and I work in a business-formal occupation (suit everyday), so I will need more than 3 suits. Altogether, I will probably be on the road for 8 months to a full year before returning home.

Also wanted to note: I probably won't be bringing 6-8 suits (probably around 5 or so) but I want to take the opportunity to get a few bespoke suits made while I am in HK and need a way to bring em home.

Will look into Briggs&Riley... will steer clear of Samsonite.

I've own luggage by all 3 of the suggested brands (Briggs, Tumi & Samsonite). Definitely second the recommendation of the Briggs compared to Tumi. I like Tumi designs but believe that Briggs are very competitive for their price point. Tumi prices are a little inflated, partly because the brand marketing. I have both Samsonite and Samsonite Black label bags and definitely would recommend the Samsonite Black label line. As a bit of a design afficionado, I've appreciated some of the innovations and interesting designs that Black label has come up with, and the luggage I own seems very sturdy.

 

[beny]

Originally Posted by academe

As someone who grew-up in SingaporeI can say that is definitely NOT true and more than a little insulting.

You must not have done your research very carefully. Joe's Tailoring and Anson Tailor are well-respected. There are a few others, whose names I'm forgetting at the moment (pm me and I will check with friends living in Singapore). I know that some on the forum nitpick about whether they think WW Chan's do a better job than one of the lesser known Singapore tailors. I'd concede that WW Chan's *may* make a better suit (don't know from personal experience as I haven't had one made by them), but that's not to say that there are no decent tailors in Singapore.

I don't mean to offend; I was merely reiterating the sentiments I got from reading this thread:

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/f...ad.php?t=52236

In which native Singaporeans state their dissatisfaction with Singaporean tailors and almost unanimously agree that HK is a better bet.

Nonetheless, from what I gather, CYC, Anson, Raffles, Joe's, and Justmen's are decent shops.

 

[Palladio]

I use this Briggs and Riley garment bag: http://www.briggs-riley.com/travel/g...garmentbag.asp Very expensive ($439), but I've found it to be a good balance between size/weight and capacity, and it also lets me attach my B&R laptop bag to the metal handle, so I can pull both behind me instead of carrying them or dealing with shoulder straps.

 

[academe]

Originally Posted by beny

I don't mean to offend; I was merely reiterating the sentiments I got from reading this thread:

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/f...ad.php?t=52236

In which native Singaporeans state their dissatisfaction with Singaporean tailors and almost unanimously agree that HK is a better bet.

Nonetheless, from what I gather, CYC, Anson, Raffles, Joe's, and Justmen's are decent shops.

My reading of that thread is that native Singaporeans are frustrated with the number of tourist traps. As a Singapore expatriate, I can certainly attest to that, although I think if you go to the tailors that you've listed you're likely to find good workmanship. My experience of Singaporeans, especially the better educated and more affluent (who are likely to visit this forum) is that they tend to suffer from a "grass is greener" syndrome. They enjoy complaining about how awful things are in Singapore, and how things are so much more fabulous in Shianghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York, etc. Take it with a grain of salt...

 

[scot]

I have found basically EVERY bag out there to be completely useless. The compartments are too big, too small or just poorly made. The zippers rip apart after a few trips, the "hold down" straps are made so they slip rather than hold (because they are utter crap and would break otherwise), the exterior tears apart, and they are just plain heavy as hell.

You really have 2, or maybe 3 choices for quality luggage, and much like the rest of what we talk about here, it ain't cheap. B+R, Zero Haliburton (though that is debatable) and Rimowa.

For suits I have been using some basic bags and garment bags over the years, but honestly the suits don't seem to make it to my destination any better than just being packed in my bag smartly and held down using the clothing hold down straps. I got fed up with replacing my bags and paid my money for a Rimowa Salsa. It is EXPENSIVE, and has *one* interior compartment (where my straight razor goes, woo no carry on for me.). The outside is a semi-hardshell design without a metal structure yet it is pretty much indestructible due to the materials ability to come back to shape after taking a hit.

http://www.rimowa.de/main.php?countr...product/855.77

If you look at the open suitcase picture, you will see that one side is less deep than the other, and that there is a divider there. I put my suits on that smaller side and then use the cinch straps and the divider to hold it in place. Other side gets shoes, regular clothing and whatever else I am carrying. If I am not going for business, the smaller side is perfect for my diving gear. Oh and the cinch straps WORK, and they also provide structure to the suitcase, hard to explain until you see it in action (remember there is no external structure, only the high quality polycarb material.)

If you want compartments and a suiter, get the tango or tango light. Cost is.. high. I don't have any experience with them but they look very well made and are very configurable. I think they are 750+ for most sizes.

Beyond anything else, my suitcase weighs a total of 6.5 pounds empty, and thats for the 29"er. Every other 29" suitcase I tried was 13lbs+. Thats a big deal when trying to stay under that 50 pound limit for checked baggage!

Discounts online are non-existent due to rimowa's pricing structures. Find a local dealer and ask them for a good discount, I got about 20-30% off if I remember correctly. If you cant find a place, let me know and I will give you a phone number for the place I got mine from.

 

[Gus]

Originally Posted by HomerJ

I would look in to Briggs Riley. They are 40% cheaper than the Tumi and carry a better (lifetime) warranty. They say even if the bag is broken or damaged by the airline they will fix it free.

I was traveling across the country or to Europe about 2 x a month for 6 years. I bought several pieces of Briggs & Riley for myself, my wife and several executives that worked for me.

First of all, B&R in black ballistic nylon is very "under the radar" and that is VERY important if you check you bags. A lot lot of suitcases go missing each year and my guess is that a hell of a lot more better known brands like TUMI are ripped off, but that is only a guess.

Second is that in hundreds of thousands of miles of air travel I have had damage to my bags due to the airline. All I had to do was return it to the B&R dealer, they fixed it or replaced it for FREE!

B&R has a few new features now including a better telescoping handle. That would be the only reason why I would even need to get a new one.

unless you are going to only carry a case on board, go stealth and go B&R.

 

[beny]

Thanks for all the tips. I will definitely pick up a B&R piece. I am interested in the Wheeled Wardrobe initially posted by HomerJ. Regarding the warranty... right now I can pick up the piece $200 cheaper on ebay; would I need a receipt or proof of purchase from a B&M store or authorized dealer in order to get damaged luggage repaired/replaced from B&R?

 

[leon12]

I would probably buy that bag here for $200 instead..

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,...on-Wheels.html

Originally Posted by Palladio

I use this Briggs and Riley garment bag: http://www.briggs-riley.com/travel/g...garmentbag.asp Very expensive ($439), but I've found it to be a good balance between size/weight and capacity, and it also lets me attach my B&R laptop bag to the metal handle, so I can pull both behind me instead of carrying them or dealing with shoulder straps.