Lotuff & Clegg Duffle
Although Duffel, Belgium may not be on your radar while planning your weekend tryst, the bag hailing from this little town should be. Two or three nights don’t warrant a small suitcase, but the utilitarian duffle fits the bill brilliantly. Though traditionally rendered in canvas, the Lotuff brothers, and legendary leather artist Frank Clegg craft some of the most beautiful renditions in leather. “Finally I’m at a point in my life where I can, with Frank, craft items we are both proud to show our friends,” claims Joe as we finger a new arrival of vegetable tanned leathers in chestnut, chocolate, and green.
The factory is more like a huge workshop. Clegg's tools are strewn about the table where he’s installing brass hardware on a bag. Their premium quality vegetable-tanned leather bags are handcrafted in Fall River, Massachusetts with passion, conviction, and meticulous artistry. The result is simply beautiful. Though understated in its sized-to-carry-on design, my Lotuff & Clegg duffle* has garnered high praise from New England to New York, Dallas to D.C. Authentic, luxurious yet classic. You can either tell the difference or you can’t. And like your favorite pair of khakis, these bags only get better with age.
Leather Duffle Travel Bag ($790)
“The full grain, tumbled, vegetable-tanned leather you see here is distinctly ours, perfectly suited to its intended purpose. What you end up with is worth any effort that goes into it.” —Frank Clegg
*courtesy of Lotuff & Clegg
left a comment on 12/8/2010 at 9:31 AM:
Beautiful duffle. I’ll second Tom’s comment on the LL Bean Signature duffle. For the price its a great value, looks great, and appears very well made. I love mine.
left a comment on 12/7/2010 at 10:40 PM:
This is an excellent duffle, and I appreciate L & C’s quality and dedication to “Made in America” goods. However, if you are inclined to obtain an excellent duffle, AND do the world some good, check out the L.L. Bean Signature Vacation Bag for $225 (http://www.llbean.com/llbeansignature/llb/shop/66939?subrnd=1&parentCategory=505904&feat=505904-sigtn&cat4=505903), then donate the extra $500 you save to Mercy Corps’ efforts in Haiti (http://www.mercycorps.org/countries/haiti). Great bag, good works ... can’t go wrong.
left a comment on 12/7/2010 at 5:46 PM:
Fred,
Great post on an excellent company. World class products with the oft-forgotten touch of customer service. Keep on promoting great companies like Lotuff and Clegg and the dedicated people behind them. Many of us appreciate your work.
left a comment on 12/7/2010 at 2:42 PM:
FEC - that looks like a real killer bag. I like pat s’s comment about a weekend’s worth of items. Your edits have been on a roll recently. Perhaps, you could do a post with some of the best weekend get away items, as in a bag, versatile sport coat, and some other go to items….
left a comment on 12/7/2010 at 12:53 PM:
Dear Fred,
Thank you for kind words. We appreciate the opportunity to introduce your readers to our company. Pleased to be manufacturing in the US and happy to be making products we are proud of. Look forward to seeing you soon.
All the best,
Joe
left a comment on 12/7/2010 at 12:04 PM:
@Tweedy McElbowpatches—Joe Lotuff of Lotuff & Clegg sent me this duffle travel bag three months ago. I often do not disclose what is sent to me courtesy of a company or what is purchased by me simply because everything I feature on this site I own and stand behind. It’s my edit…and if I don’t believe in it and own it, you will not see it on Unabashedly Prep.
left a comment on 12/7/2010 at 11:52 AM:
Love the bag - but was this $800 piece comped to you? Might be worth noting if so since it’s been featured so much on this site.
left a comment on 12/7/2010 at 11:46 AM:
Looking nice; good job packing. Might I ask what else you have in there. It would be interesting to see what constitutes a weekends worth of attire and accessories for you.
left a comment on 12/7/2010 at 10:41 AM:
Agreed well done sir..the bag is amazing.(See I am not an ass about anything but music- bit of a snob when it come to that- sorry)
left a comment on 12/7/2010 at 10:21 AM:
So nice, very true about leather, if you get someone well made, it can truly last forever. I use my blue cavas Tommy weekend duffle for the short trips. I see you got your shine safely protected there with those shoe bags.
Well done sir as always.
chad left a comment on 9/22/2011 at 3:45 PM:
Holy crap have they jacked the prices up on their stuff? The totes used to be dramatically cheaper.