In just a few weeks, it will be time to start thinking about
holiday travel plans - and, more importantly, about where we can find
fashionable adjustable waistlines to accommodate the Thanksgiving turkeys,
Christmas hams, and New Year's champagne binge drinking that are sure to be
part of the itinerary. Okay, maintaining a consistent size during the holidays
isn't getting any easier, but at least now we have some super-chic luggage from
Mandarina
Duck to contain both our planned outfit changes and the inevitable
yet unforeseen "I can't get the zipper up!" tragedies. Newly added at
Passport
(43 Brattle Street, Cambridge, 617.576.0900), Mandarina's latest
line,
DROP,
features smoothly contoured pieces made of recyclable "PC Plus" polycarbonate
that renders these wheeled trolley suitcases lightweight, waterproof, and
elastically impact resistant (whether you return with bulges on your thighs,
however, is between you, your willpower, and your aunt's holiday buffet). The
bags ($310 for the 20-inch size, $380 for the 24-inch) are also temperature
proof, presumably to help you transport souvenir chocolates and fruit cakes
between climes, and more practical items can be locked away in any number of
nifty compartments designed for laptops, shoes, toiletries, and whatnot. But
most importantly, this contemporary luggage line is as attractive as it is
functional, available at Passport in navy and gray now, with limited-edition
silver and white slated to arrive by Thanksgiving. For that, we're grateful.
Now pass us another helping of casserole from the table ... and those sweatpants from the
zippered pouch.
