Customized luggage: How to stand out in the baggage carousel

Confession: I get a feeling of satisfaction every time I arrive at a baggage claim. The other passengers must squint at a carousel of black rectangles and grapple with indistinguishable tags. But I can spot my bag from the back of the room -- because it’s covered with giant, leering Jack Skellington faces.

There’s no need to drag around a Nightmare Before Christmas suitcase to be an airport stand-out. All it takes is a do-it-yourself tweak or a bit of specialty shopping. Here are ideas that will make sure you never end up with someone else’s baggage.

Hello Kitty to go.

For the cute and stylish: Sanrio and Hideo Wakamatsu luggage

Cute luggage from Japan will put a smile on the weariest face at the airport. Harajuku girls will squeal over the Hello Kitty and Tokidoki luggage collection (US$20-200, sold online at Sanrio.) Hideo Wakamatsu’s sakura blossom and Mount Fuji cases are made for chic ladies. (US$100-350, sold in Japanese department stores and online at Beverly Hills Luggage.)

Globe-Trotter wood frame case.

For the affluent dandy: Globe-Trotter wood frame cases

First-class flyers tend to carry the same Gucci or Louis Vuitton monstrosities. Try Globe-Trotter, a British company that has been handcrafting suitcases since the nineteenth century. The Orient Collection is a splurge (US$550-3000) but oh, that classic lacquered surface and silk lining… Globe-Trotter has stores in Hong Kong and Singapore; inquiries are welcome on their website.

Custom paint job luggage.

For artsy types: Custom paint jobs

Go Picasso on the hard surface of a suitcase. If you aren’t handy with a brush, ask a friend or hire an artist. Bright spray paints and acrylics work best; begin with a primer and finish with a protective spray. Cover metal parts and areas that you don’t want painted with masking tape. As for the design -- how about your home country’s flag? Or your cat’s portrait, to remind you of home?

Retro stickers

For a funky twist: Stick on souvenirs

My musician friends like to stick their travel memorabilia on their instrument cases. Flat objects such as postcards, flyers, stamps and stickers work best. Simply assemble the souvenirs into a pleasing design, then bind with a powerful glue. Don’t forget to seal the surface with clear tape or a finishing spray.

Custom tagged luggage.

For a subtle spin: Tags, ribbons and straps

Not ready to give up your boring black suitcase? A tiny personalization -- such as a colored strap or a ribbon tightly tied around the handle -- can help you spot it on the carousel. Instead of using a standard airline tag, try printing your own. Better yet, make one out of an old yogurt tub, as seen in Planet Green’s tutorial.

La Carmina writes about Harajuku pop culture and all things spooky-cute. She is the author of three books about Japanese pop culture and food, including Cute Yummy Time and Crazy Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo – for which she did all the photos and illustrations. Both books were released in October, accompanied by a US major city book tour.

For more, please visit her website.

Read more about La Carmina