DEBRA'S ANSWER:

I've been struggling with the luggage question for months.

I have a set of old leather luggage that I love--old style too, with belts in addition to latches. I've been using it for about twenty years and have taken it everywhere I've traveled. The belts and latches have all broken and been replaced, but now the spines are breaking and I really don't think they will make it through another airplane trip, being tossed around as they do in airports.

Knowing I would be taking this trip to San Francisco this week, I've been looking for new luggage for months and running into the same problems. The synthetic luggage just STINKS! And I didn't want to contaminate my clothing. Also, I wanted luggage with wheels this time around as I am tired of carrying it or strapping it to wheels.

I too wanted something with structure, which is why I wasn't just getting the immediately obvious option: cotton canvas bags. Port Canvas has a wonderful selection of affordable, sturdy cotton canvas luggage, but it is soft.

I checked out the tapestry/cloth suitcases, but, alas, they too smelled because they are made from synthetic materials. Many years ago I purchased a linen and leather garment bag. I wish they still made these.

The most natural suitcases I could find were made by Hartmann. Made with leather and natural fibers, these do not smell at all, but they cost in the neighborhood of $800 a piece. I'm just not going to spend $800 on a piece of luggage that is going to get thrown around at the airport and anyone could pick up at baggage claim. That's just a theft waiting to happen.

I did find some less-expensive leather luggage sets, but I was reluctant to purchase them sight-unseen over the internet from websites with no telephone numbers, or who did not answer their phones. And not knowing what the linings were, or chemicals that may have been used.

I did find some gorgeous "Tuscany leather" luggage that was leather inside and out, but they only had small sizes.

As my trip is only a few days away now, and I needed something--anything--what I ended up doing yesterday was I went to the flea market. I bought two mostly leather soft duffle-type bags with pockets. They are made out of reclaimed leather scraps sewn together, so they were very inexpensive--only $18 each. They have nylon lining, but no odor.

I think what I will end up doing is purchasing cotton canvas luggage from Port Canvas for air travel and continue to use my old leather luggage for road trips.

Readers...any ideas for natural luggage?

Debra :-)