Anatomy of a Classic: Tumi’s 19 Degree Expandable Carry-On

It wasn’t strictly business that drove Charles Clifford, a former Peace Corps volunteer with an MBA, to create Tumi in 1975. But his timing turned out to be excellent. With the democratization of air travel sweeping the nation in the ’70s, airlines had to come up with a way to cater to their core market of corporate fliers, who expected something more elevated than economy but not as decadent as first class. Enter: business class. Tumi soon met the moment with a line of bags crafted from ballistic nylon, a material first developed for World War II flak jackets. A standard was set for highly functional luggage that could keep up with the demands of those ­million-milers.

Tumi’s mission hasn’t changed, even as the materials and shapes have. The 19 Degree collection, introduced in 2016, marked a move into hard shell luggage, its name referring to the distinctive angled contours. This being Tumi, that number is not merely arbitrary: The slants are engineered at a precise 19 degrees for better impact resistance. (And, yes, for a striking aesthetic, too.) This particular model, in a new pine shade for fall, comes equipped with an expandable interior for those moments when the return flight somehow requires more room than the departure. No judgment. We’ve all been there.

Tumi 19 Degree Expandable Carry-On ($795)

Allie Holloway

Every detail of Tumi’s 19 Degree suitcases, from the polycarbonate shell to the luggage tag, reflects the brand’s long-standing focus on utility.

Allie Holloway

The 19 Degree collection has been a Tumi staple since 2016, but this pine shade is new for fall.

Allie Holloway

Smart design (and double zippers) allow this model, known as the International Expandable Carry-On, to do just that.

Allie Holloway

While a range of color options is nice, the true mark of a Tumi piece is the way it glides—and lasts you a lifetime.

Photographs by Allie Holloway
Fashion & Accessories Director: Dania Lucero Ortiz
Set Design by Marina Bevilacqua

This story appears in the November 2026 issue of Town & Country.

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Carly Witteman is Town & Country’s Associate Fashion Editor, covering luxury style, jewelry and timepieces, beauty, and arts and culture while styling various photoshoots and projects for print. You can find her on Instagram at @carlymaewitteman, where she’s probably posting about a Broadway show, her new favorite pair of shoes, or her current read.

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