We have all experienced our fair share of baggage claim frustration. Waiting for your belongings at the airport can be absolutely maddening, but what is worse is attempting to locate them on a conveyor belt full of look-alikes.
There is no doubt that black expandable-wheeled-upright suitcases are extremely popular in this day and age. But that does not mean that you have to have them, too.
When it comes to your luggage, why not make a statement? Try colors and patterns that are a bit out of the ordinary but still reflect your style and taste. Or, if you insist on owning luggage that looks exactly the same as everyone else’s, do not be afraid to experiment with simple and subtle embellishments.
For instance, when I was growing up, my mother used puffy paint to write my initials — which, for the record, never rubbed off — on the front of my suitcase.
At first, I was hesitant to let her do this, thinking the end result would look tacky. However, I soon realized just how smart her idea had truly been. After all, it saved her from having to buy me an expensive monogrammed suitcase, which I would not be keeping in my possession forever anyhow.
As for me, from that point forward, I never had a problem finding my suitcase at the baggage claim. 
Image credit: juicyrai
Jared Scott Tesler is a Rochester-area freelance writer.