Fan-favorite Dagne Dover debuts first-ever luggage collection with 6 new pieces
Dagne Dover is hoping to make a big splash in the travel world with the introduction of its first-ever luggage collection.
With six distinct pieces, the New York-based brand, which was founded by three women in 2013, hopes to have something for everyone. Offering two checked bags, two carry-ons and two garment bags, Dagne Dover is really jumping right into the luggage space.
To date, the brand has become perhaps most famous for its neoprene backpacks and duffels, which sport plenty of organizational pockets for loose items and tech gear. (Its new luggage collection draws inspiration from this heritage.)
But luggage is a whole different animal, and the Dange Dover co-founders know that. Jessy Dover, co-founder and chief creative director, told TPG in an exclusive interview that the luggage collection is largely a result of not finding the perfect bag on the market right now.
Dover, who began traveling frequently as the coronavirus pandemic subsided, couldn't find a functional bag that worked for her.
"It was at this time where I was like, I think actually luggage makes a lot of sense for us, and I think we can do it better," she said.
Now, three years after that first conversation, the brand is ready for its big airport debut. As the team set out to design the pieces, it went about them with four key pillars: durability, flexibility, design and sustainability.
In terms of durability, the entire luggage collection went through three years of wear testing, both in the factory and on the road, Dover said.
"Every time somebody wear-tested it, you should see the videos we have from all the different wear testers, whether they're internal Dagne team members or external people, [they told us] this worked for me, this part came off right, and the like," said Deepa Gandhi, co-founder and chief operating officer.
That makes the founders really confident that the bags will survive every journey, from cobblestone streets in Europe to safaris in Africa and everywhere in between.
The brand will back up its promise with a limited lifetime warranty.
"We're evolving our warranty with the injection of luggage, and that'll include a limited lifetime of the product warranty," co-founder and CEO Melissa Mash told TPG without providing any more specifics.
In terms of flexibility, one of the key features of the bags is that they can open from both the top and the side, "so that you can be super detail-oriented and organized if you so choose. But also you have the option of just being like throw it in and go kind of person," Dover said.
The bags also feature the brand's signature organizational pockets, so you can pack all your miscellaneous last-minute items and cords without worrying about opening the entire bag.
Loyalty basics: Best ways to earn airline miles
Personally, I'm the type of packer who exclusively travels with carry-ons, but I rely on the expandable feature of my Tumi Alpha Continental bag to power through the longest trips.
Unfortunately, Dagne Dover is reserving the expandable feature for its full-size checked bags. That said, the co-founders were open to feedback and reiterated that they are coming into this journey with an open mind.
While everyone will likely have a different opinion on the design of the new Dagne Dover bags, they are most certainly on-brand. From the neoprene exterior to the four color choices, these will be unmistakably Dagne Dover.
Sustainability is also something the brand didn't want to compromise on.
"The exterior material is recycled," Dover said, "and then the linings are made of reprieve poly, which is recycled ocean plastic. ... This is really cool."
Perhaps the biggest challenge the brand will face with its luggage collection is convincing travelers to splurge. After all, carry-on bags start at $595, and checked bags start at $675.
Those are steep prices, even for brand loyalists who are used to pieces in the $200 range.
Explaining the move upmarket, Mash said that "the pricing strategy was definitely a conversation, but quality really mattered to us. When we thought about our customer base and our like core customer base ... we're like, what is that customer looking for in their luggage? And it was exactly what we were looking for, something long-lasting, high quality, but had that design and then also the recycled element."
If you're looking to soften the blow, the brand is offering 20% off its new luggage for those who get the new products and an item from the Travel 1.0 collection.
That said, Dagne Dover has its work cut out for it. Can it convince flyers to splurge for its pieces? They're certainly not Tumi or Rimowa prices, but they are far more expensive than Away or Samsonite.
The founders aren't worried, though.
As Dover put it, "If we can do such amazing things with athleisure and work bags, why not just apply that to luggage and see what happens?"
You can catch the full details of the new Dagne Dover luggage collection below.
Dagne Dover's new luggage collection
Smaller Seattle Carryon Luggage
Larger Seattle Carryon Luggage
Smaller Sydney Checked Luggage
Larger Sydney Checked Luggage
Monaco Garment Duffle
Capri Garment Bag
Related reading:
- Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a first-time or frequent traveler
- Best travel credit cards
- Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
- 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.