To build a go box

June 22, 2011 2:15 PM

How do I go about getting a custom steamer wardrobe trunk for a nomadic life?

I recently transitioned to a capsule wardrobe and now think it is time to create the capsule. I like the look of the classic upright steamer wardrobe trunks. But, I want to construct one that will specifically hold the dimensions of the various clothing, toiletries, and tech that I use. A sort of Studley Toolbox for my life.

I want to either build it myself (I would need resources on constructing a trunk like this) or hire a cabinet/luggage maker to build me one to my specifications(don’t even know who I would contract this out to).

TLDR: How do I build my own steamer trunk or what kind of specialist should I talk to for it to be built.

posted by elationfoundation to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (13 answers total)

You'd want to talk to a skilled cabinetmaker, the sort that does custom furniture. I'd guess that many of them would be interested to take on a fun project if you laid out careful requirements, and if you had the requisite fat wad of cash. (Skilled folk like to be paid appropriately; the price might be in the same range as custom furniture.)
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:29 PM on June 22, 2011

I know Louis Vuitton do custom furniture/wardrobe things like this. But.. Yeah, you need wads (plural) of cash to get that going.

There is a documentary about that, older, part of the LV business, but I can't remember enough about it to provide a link.
posted by flippant at 2:35 PM on June 22, 2011

Unless you're a highly-skilled woodworker already, what you're asking for would require a skilled craftsman and would definitely require wads of cash.

As an example, this chest sells for between $3500-6000. From what you describe you're after something more complicated, so probably best to be seated when receiving quotes.
posted by coriolisdave at 3:27 PM on June 22, 2011

Agreed with the above. I'm a grad of one of the better-known fine woodworking schools in the U.S. Think of the Studly Toolbox is kind of a Taj Mahal -- a wonder of the world. Unless you want to blow the price of a decent new car on this, something with the intricacy of that piece is not within range.
posted by jon1270 at 3:32 PM on June 22, 2011

Here's a French company making custom wardrobe trunks. It's a pretty extravagant item for this day and age (what mode of transport will you be using this with?), so I think extravagant pricing is to be expected.
posted by contraption at 3:37 PM on June 22, 2011

Response by poster: To answer the Studly Toolbox comments. I am not looking for the finest craftsmanship in the land. The studley comment was merely an analogy to describe having all my tools for living in a space designed for them.
posted by elationfoundation at 3:42 PM on June 22, 2011

I'd start with a large flight case, to be honest. You can cut foam on bottom layers for dop kits and containers for accessories, and have shelves cut for clothing trays. Alternatively, if you want a hipster aesthetic, rummage for a steamer trunk and retro-fit it.
posted by DarlingBri at 3:53 PM on June 22, 2011 [1 favorite]

There are several "dressing" or "makeup" trunks on this page that might give you some ideas about how to parcel out space in the areas that you set aside for smaller items. (They do double-duty as furniture.)
posted by sophieblue at 4:02 PM on June 22, 2011

These folks do custom ATA equipment cases with drawers and compartments, or you could buy a big military-style footlocker and retrofit it.
posted by contraption at 4:02 PM on June 22, 2011 [1 favorite]

I would definitely fit it with a panel-mount recessed IEC jack like this and then internally wire that to a power strip for all my various chargers (you could also use the power to light the inside of the trunk, run a little speaker system, etc.). If you do any of this, make sure you allow for adequate ventilation and get a licensed electrician to look over your work and bless it so you won't burn anything down.
posted by contraption at 4:14 PM on June 22, 2011

Ok, gonna stop commenting for a while after this but look at these, in particular the "Double Cover Rackmount." It's got rack rails which will give you vertical rows of threaded holes to attach shelving or other custom storage, but my favorite part is those dual covers. You could put a permanent divider in the middle, creating two shallow compartments rather than one cavernous space. Hangable clothes could then go up top on one side, laptops and other electronics on the other (where they could conceivably be locked away from housekeeping staff etc. while leaving the wardrobe side exposed.) The completely removable covers themselves could be lined with pockets and used for, say, one nightstand unit with books, alarm clock, earplugs, etc. to prop by the bed and one bathroom unit with all your toiletries that could be set up on the bathroom countertop.

I have to say, I thought this sounded like a silly idea on first read but now I'm kinda wishing I moved around enough to justify building one of these.
posted by contraption at 4:44 PM on June 22, 2011 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Contraption for the win! I did not even think about music cases; which is surprising considering I gained my love for organization examining my father's audio equipment. I felt the same way about this "silly" idea when I first had it, but over time as I reduced my belongings I felt more and more unsatisfied with not having the right space for each small collection of items.
posted by elationfoundation at 5:01 PM on June 22, 2011

Have you looked at their quote request form? They'll let you specify nearly every dimension, even the depth of each lid. If you wanted (and if you have some kind of home base somewhere to store such things) I bet you could get extra lids in assorted depths to change out for different kinds of trips (I'm picturing a photovoltaic system in one for trips to less developed areas, maybe one extra-deep one with additional clothing storage, etc.)

Another thing that might help you in organizing smaller items is a nice set of tool pallets to stow in shallow shelves or drawers or affix directly to vertical surfaces.
posted by contraption at 9:37 AM on June 23, 2011