Buying luggage is really overwhelming. With hundreds of choices online and in stores, with discount brands and airplane weight limits and personal style all factoring in, how do you choose a decent piece of luggage?

The first question you need to answer is what kind of trip are you buying for? Are you buying a whole new set for whatever comes up in the future? Do you need to replace a worn out bag? Are you trying to get a matching set (finally!)? Or, are you changing your flight habits--either you just took a job that includes frequent travel, or perhaps you're planning on spending a lot of time shuttling back and forth to your in-laws in Seattle. Maybe, like me, you're planning on moving overseas.

Know what's important to you. After years of having not-quite-matching, cheap luggage that could take a beating, I want something a little bit cute and easily recognizable at the airport. (Easily recognizable excludes black, navy, and red). I also needed the lightest possible luggage that was easy to handle on my own and definitely rolled. I didn't really care about how much organization things had, if they were designer or not, and I definitely had a price cap. So run through my points of consideration, and you can easily figure out what you need!

Checked Luggage

Size For full sized, checkable luggage, sizes range anywhere from 20''-32''. You can occasionally find something larger, but trust me--it fits no where, and once full, it's guaranteed to be over weight limits on airlines. Anything smaller than about 28'' I would recommend for very versatile trips--anywhere from a weekend away to a week (two if you're a light packer). Larger than 28'' is hitting the ceiling of weight limits for airplanes and you can pack full for a month or more (two years for me!)

Weight Most rolling, structured suitcases--believe it or not--run from about 13-16 pounds. Without anything in them. Nuts, right? Especially considering you only have 50 pound per bag weight limit on an airline. That isn't much wiggle room. Delsey's Helium line (which I almost bought because it's frequently stocked at TJ Maxx) weighs only eleven pounds for a 25 incher. The weight is mostly found in the heavy (also durable) structure and reinforced backing. While duffel bags are considerably lighter (LL Bean's 34 inch duffel weighs in at a miniscule 9 pounds), they also have a lot less stability and durability.

Cuteness Hey, it matters! People will shell out a ton to get the new Vera Bradley luggage (it's awesome I wish I could afford it!), even more for the likes of Louis Vuitton, who started as a high end luggage maker. There are others, like me, who are willing to settle for a sassy color (lime green please!). Delsey's line, mentioned above, comes in a bright blue, red, black and pink. Now pink luggage isn't always the most practical, but it's you that has to like it--and spot it on the luggage belt!

Organization Some bags come with a preplanned pocket for everything--shoes, dress shirts, underwear, socks, knicknacks, etc. Personally this actually gets in my way--I have things all packed into several smaller containers (not clothes, but cosmetics, jewelry, small items, electronic items, shoes, purses, perfumes, toiletries). I don't need the help. I just want a large, empty, light as air space, but that's certainly not true for everyone. A lot of people must have everything separated out, so decide if that's important to you.

Basic Type My decision was basically between rolling duffels and uprights, for an amalgamation of all the reasons listed above. Duffels are cheaper, less organized, lighter, and often come in brighter, more customizable colors, but they have much less protection and durability, they can be more unstable on their wheels, and they don't stand up--they either are being pulled or on the floor (not the most convenient when you are also carrying another checked bag, a purse, and a carry on). There are also different types of uprights, hard sided or soft sided, ones that you tote by a strap or by a handle. And of course (though I never recommend this for anyone) there are regular duffels that are non-rolling and are carried on your shoulder. For me, this decision is made LAST, because it's basically a combination of everything you've already decided is important.

I love rolling totes. I'm a 23 year old professional writer, so my computer can NEVER be too far away from me, and yet my shoulders do not like having to cart an extra (and inequal between two shoulders) weight through three different airports to get over to Scotland. So I like to keep my computer--and must-carry-on things like medicine, travel documents, a change of clothes, extra food, and some in flight toiletries in there. I also carry a purse that generally stays right beside me and contains all sorts of entertainment--sudoku, fully stocked ipod, notebook, two novels (it's an eight hour flight and a three hour layover and another two hour flight! I need two!) and any inflight comforts, like fuzzy socks, a pillow, hand lotion (i get really dry skin on planes) that I feel I might need at any given second.

My favorite carry on rolling totes?

• LL Beans Touring (want it)
• Baggallini's Rolling Tote Bagg (REAAAALLY want it)
• Ricardo Beverly Hills On Board Rolling Tote (own it!)

Also, if you're not bringing a computer, definitely consider just a basic duffel bag--LL Bean has great options in fun colors!

Favorite Purses to Fly With

• Vera Bradley's The Vera-- Pockets AND washable cotton--what more can you ask for?
• Baggallini's A La Carte Bagg --the ultimate for in flight organization, this is my LUST bagg!

In the end, I'm buying LLBean's rolling duffels for my luggage (one large, one extra large, both lime green and monogrammed!). I'm trying to see if I can afford a new rolling tote (only because it's red, doesn't match, and technically my mother's) and if I can save enough for the Baggallini, it's a done deal. If not, the LLBean Touring will be a happy second. And I'm also eyeing the A La Carte Bagg pretty seriously!

Happy flights everyone!

......guess I got the final word.