I’ve Found The Secret To Looking Chic At The Airport (And It’s Not About Your Outfit)

If Hugh Grant in Love Actually said the arrivals gate is the place for love, then where does that leave departures? Because for me, the departure gate is the place for stress, sweat and to top it all off, overweight suitcases. As you can probably already tell, I'm a joy to travel with. Seriously, though, when it comes to going on holiday, packing is, by far, the worst part. Perhaps the only thing worse than that is knowing I'm sealing my own fate by overpacking and thus being hit with an overweight fee, a suitcase that doesn't roll properly because of said overweightness, and undoubtedly an Urban Decay palette that won't make the journey without cracking.

How do I know all this, you might wonder? After clocking up a decent amount of air miles myself, I've learned the hard way that the true test of a trip isn't the flight (or the people you go with), but the luggage you take. I've been badly burned by overzealous (a polite way of putting it) luggage handlers, flimsy zips and wheel malfunctions, and somewhere between my own mishaps and people-watching at departure gates, I've uncovered a secret. Most effortlessly chic travellers, those who stroll past you when priority boarding calls, all roll with equally chic luggage. This is where Nere's suitcases come in. As Australia's number one fashion luggage brand, Nere is known for its streamlined hard-shell designs, dual-spinner wheels and impeccable choice of colours (you might've already seen its viral butter yellow suitcase on Instagram).

Although the brand is most famous for its eclectic pastel luggage, it's the newest Venture collection that's caught my eye. One for the sophisticated travellers, or those who don't want to stand out at the luggage carousel, the Venture collection is like the older sister to the popular Bondi or Stori styles - the colourways available are a lot more muted but of course, the colours are still more exciting than just black.

The best part about the Venture suitcases is that no matter what size you opt for (cabin, check-in medium or check-in large), each comes with a dual-opening system, so you can pack your smaller essentials (for example, that Urban Decay palette I mentioned earlier) in a different compartment from the rest of your items. Not only that, but the Venture suitcases come with a TSA-approved lock, smooth dual spinner wheels and a premium polycarbonate construction that even the most overzealous luggage handlers can't argue with. I most recently used Nere's Double Open Cabin Suitcase in Taupe for a weekend in the city, and honestly, the lock was so simple to use (as well as secure) and the suitcase rolled so effortlessly, even on cobbles.

The next time you want to be someone's airport crush, know that it's not just about getting a matching airport outfit. Your luggage says more about you than just your destination, and clearly, others agree - when Nere's Venture collection first launched, it sold out faster than the brand could keep up with. So, rather than heading up in the loft to grab your tired suitcase with last summer's LHR tag on, now's the perfect time to invest in a set of suitcases that look as chic as you do.

Shop: Nere's Venture Collection

Main image credit: Grazia/Gemma Lavers

Gemma Lavers is a fashion commerce writer at Grazia, where she tracks down viral pieces and is as comfortable navigating the M&S new-in page as she is dissecting the latest celebrity look. When not writing, shopping or at Reformer Pilates (a cliché but she's hooked), Gemma will likely be planning her next holiday (and what she's going to wear). For a glimpse into said travels, outfit inspo and life as a journalist, follow her on Instagram or TikTok.