Train Cases

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    Learn More About Train Cases

    A train case is a cosmetic and toiletry travel partner for commuters to keep essential items accessible while aboard trains, planes, and automobiles. They often have mirrors inside, transforming a box for toiletries into a miniature vanity equipped with everything you need to prepare for bed or spruce up before your arrival. Some makeup train cases have shelves, drawers, and dividers to help organize your cosmetics, so you know where everything is whether you’re all-aboard or glamming up at home.

    Train cases rose in popularity alongside train travel in the industrial era. They were designed as a case to keep makeup and toiletries handy in an easily accessible box. As most luggage was out of reach during the journey, the train case became a solution and a precursor to the modern-day carry-on bag and toiletry bag. They were sized to fit compactly into snug storage spaces and pack in neatly with other baggage regardless of their design. Over time they grew more stylish, but they kept the name as a callback to their railroad roots.

    Train cases have expanded in popularity to extend beyond railcars and are now used on airplanes, boats, cars, and even at home. These are some of the popular types of train cases you’ll find from shops on Etsy:


    • Leather train cases give off a classy feel and say, “I’m ready for a journey.” They’re durable, long-lasting, and gain more character over time.
    • A modern clear train case allows you to see its contents at a glance and makes it incredibly easy to find that required mascara tube among the pile of lipsticks and eyeliners.
    • Looking at vintage train cases, you can almost hear the click-clack of the railroad and the creaks of the wooden train cars. Picture commuters wearing hats and reading the paper or opening their train case to touch up their lipstick after a light meal on the go. Bring these retro vibes into your space with a range of vintage options from sellers on Etsy.