Check Mate

 
Thanks to American Airlines I am now in the market for a new suitcase. This is what happens when a blogger doesn't take her own advice to travel carry-on. But it was a beach vacation at a place where people like to dress up! It was wonderful. I don't regret one minute of wardrobe planning or clothes changing.

The giant rip in the corner of the suitcase wasn't apparent until it got to my hotel. I then noticed my clothes were starting to fall out. It was a large rip, separating frame from fabric. No amount of hastily applied duck tape would keep it together for the trip home. The airlines rep assured me it would survive. He also let me know how to claim the damage after I landed.

I must say American Airlines was very nice. They have a system, though, which smacks of a little racket. They would exchange my suitcase for a new one of the same size. I would then leave behind the ripped one. Or I could come back (within 30 days) with the busted case to see if it could be repaired. If it could not, I would be reimbursed.

How much could I get for a ten-year-old cloth suitcase without a sales receipt? It didn't go that far. I stopped at the idea of coming back to the airport and took their replacement. The new one is not bad looking, but it's the luggage equivalent of $5 umbrellas sold on the streets of New York. It might make one trip without falling apart.

  
So now I need a new suitcase. It will be (drumroll please) one of those hard-sided plastic jobs with eighteen wheels. But here's my quandry and the reason this can even remotely be considered Fashion: Do I go for conservative black, grey or silver, or do I break out in song with something bright or even patterned?

   
It used to be one did not call attention to oneself with lovely luggage as that might indicate the contents were lovely as well. Nowadays all bags look like Tumis. How's a bag-napper to know? If I were one, I would assume the beat-up, soft-sided suitcase held the treasure.

 
Do I pick one in a subtle, sophisticated color to reflect the subtle, sophisticated person I wish to appear? Or do I get one so loud I can spot it from the instant it hits the carousel?

Any thoughts please? My next trip is only 10 months away.