Tumi

Full review
I picked Tumi over other brands like Coach and Dooney & Burke because I wanted travel pieces with a simple, clean cut look but also be accessory friendly (ie a few pockets for holding odds and ends). Most importantly, I wanted the piece to be durable.

Style
Tumi's products are more catered towards business people, or people with simple tastes. Their designs are very clean cut and simple, using a combination of fabric and leather. Their products do not come in a wide array of colors (usually red, black, or tan), nor do they have designs on the fabric.

However, I find that many Tumi products are still very user friendly. They are just well hidden. For example, my Tumi briefcase has two slots for pens, one for a cell phone, and one for business cards. It also has two zippered compartments on top of my briefcase where I can stash away some items without having it spill out into the open if my briefcase falls on the ground (good for girly items).

Personally, I really hate backpacks, luggage, and briefcases where there are a zillion pockets and slots and places to stash things, because often times I am carrying so many things I forgot where I put everything!! And I don't like extra pockets, etc. sitting out there in the open. I'd rather have them located inside the bag or briefcase, which Tumi does.

Lost Luggage Program
Tumi also has this program where you can fill out this card of your personal information, and send it to them. You see, every piece of Tumi luggage/bag comes with an individualized serial number, and they can match that lost luggage to the owner. I know this is a perk, but I haven't used it yet. For some reason I just don't think it's useful, unless the bag has some kind of honing device in it, which we all don't want! (I'm saying this program depends on the help of Good Samaritans who turn in lost luggage and contact Tumi in the first place, which I doubt many people would think of doing.)

Price
The one drawback to Tumi products is the price. Their items run very high, considering their pieces aren't 100% leather but a leather fabric combination. I doubt any of their bigger bulk items come under $125. Their smaller fabric totes (purses) start at $125, and their briefcases start in the $300 range.

You can sometimes find Tumi items on sale at Nordstrom, during Nordstrom's sale times. But come early during the sale, because these items are often snatched up pretty quickly. Nordstrom usually discounts them around 30% (very good!!!!!!!).

Comparison with Other Brands
Dooney & Burke's all leather products were too expensive, and I don't like any of their designs on their fabric products. Coach's leather products didn't cater to my needs (they make good messenger bags, but I don't like that style), and their in store selection was poor compared to their online or catelog selection (but I didn't want to order through those methods).

Bottom Line
Tumi products are pretty good if you are in the market for clean cut pieces. Their price is high, in the range of Dooney & Burke and Coach, and it is difficult to justify on your pocketbook, but if you are in the market for pieces which last a long time but aren't super expensive (like Louis Vuitton, Ferragamo, or Gucci), then I would go with Tumi.