Leather BriefCases / Holdalls
Leather BriefCases / Holdalls
Author
Discussion

CooperS

Original Poster:

4,580 posts

249 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
I’ve got my birthday coming up and im now a full year into my first post grad job.

Parents like usual want to get me something I can use and keep and wouldn’t ordinarily not buy myself (previous B'days have been MB pens, nice watch etc).

So where would you find the best quality briefcases /holdall? Which can hold a laptop and folders etc but be small enough to go in overheads on UK flights?

Been looking in John Lewis as a starter and they have some really plush bags but wonder if there is better out there as you do pay the premium.

I've got about £150 to play with a bit more if I want to contribute which for the right bag I would.

Its all about quality and having something that will last more than a couple of years.

Last question is would I look like a prat with a smart leather briefcase / holdall? My bosses have them and I’ve always wanted one but they have commented on my quick uptake (had them before starting work) of having good shoes, having a nice watch and something that always catches people eyes in a boring meeting…..... pens?

They do seem to have an adverse reaction to this as but should I care?

dan101smith

17,053 posts

241 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
If you're young and walking around with a leather briefcase you'll look like a tt, period.

CooperS

Original Poster:

4,580 posts

249 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
dan101smith said:
If you're young and walking around with a leather briefcase you'll look like a tt, period.
lol i mean more of a leather bag which holds everything a breifcase would... basically a posh laptop bag but with more storage for when i travel... which gives the right impression to others when i work.

dan101smith

17,053 posts

241 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
Can I ask what you do that relies on the right kind of bag to give a good impression of you

evo801

243 posts

225 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
Bill Amberg leather bags are lovely.

Try Peter Jones or perhaps Dunhill but may be too expensive.

Good idea

marshalla

15,902 posts

231 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
CooperS said:
something I can use and keep and wouldn’t ordinarily not buy myself
rolleyes


drivin_me_nuts

17,949 posts

241 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
.. did you say ...pens. I think you misheard your boss ..

Manbags are the way forward - or those leather courier type bags. John Lewis and similar shops have all that Metrosexual man desireth.

Zod

35,295 posts

288 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
dan101smith said:
If you're young and walking around with a leather briefcase you'll look like a tt, period.
that really depends on where you work and on the look of the case.

Brabus Jord

1,589 posts

237 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
CooperS said:
I’ve got my birthday coming up and im now a full year into my first post grad job.

Parents like usual want to get me something I can use and keep and wouldn’t ordinarily not buy myself (previous B'days have been MB pens, nice watch etc).

So where would you find the best quality briefcases /holdall? Which can hold a laptop and folders etc but be small enough to go in overheads on UK flights?

Been looking in John Lewis as a starter and they have some really plush bags but wonder if there is better out there as you do pay the premium.

I've got about £150 to play with a bit more if I want to contribute which for the right bag I would.

Its all about quality and having something that will last more than a couple of years.

Last question is would I look like a prat with a smart leather briefcase / holdall? My bosses have them and I’ve always wanted one but they have commented on my quick uptake (had them before starting work) of having good shoes, having a nice watch and something that always catches people eyes in a boring meeting…..... pens?

They do seem to have an adverse reaction to this as but should I care?
Tom, if only you had told me :P only joking i got your bday gift today. :P

ETA check out a thread i started back in 2007. I asked the same thing and had a lot of suggestions. smilehttp://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by Brabus Jord on Monday 8th September 16:26

dan101smith

17,053 posts

241 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
Zod said:
dan101smith said:
If you're young and walking around with a leather briefcase you'll look like a tt, period.
that really depends on where you work and on the look of the case.
Nope, you'll still look like a tt, just fewer people will realise.

Brabus Jord

1,589 posts

237 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
dan101smith said:
Zod said:
dan101smith said:
If you're young and walking around with a leather briefcase you'll look like a tt, period.
that really depends on where you work and on the look of the case.
Nope, you'll still look like a tt, just fewer people will realise.
A small hand held Zipped holder should be ok.

ascayman

13,397 posts

246 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
dan101smith said:
If you're young and walking around with a leather briefcase you'll look like a tt, period.
you look more of a tt speaking american in england

Brabus Jord

1,589 posts

237 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
CooperS said:
dan101smith said:
If you're young and walking around with a leather briefcase you'll look like a tt, period.
lol i mean more of a leather bag which holds everything a breifcase would... basically a posh laptop bag but with more storage for when i travel... which gives the right impression to others when i work.
i saw a really old school Dunlop one today which looked nice.

Dai Capp

1,641 posts

290 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
I just got Mrs DC a messenger bag from Saddleback Leather.

http://www.saddlebackleather.com/products.asp

Quality is excellent and they do some nice cases. Quite pricey though but I don't doubt that the messenger bag will last years and years it's so robust...

Cheers

DC

dan101smith

17,053 posts

241 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
ascayman said:
dan101smith said:
If you're young and walking around with a leather briefcase you'll look like a tt, period.
you look more of a tt speaking american in england
Where do I start with that?

To the OP - if you can stretch to the Dunhill kit, great quality and well designed.

Zod

35,295 posts

288 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
dan101smith said:
Zod said:
dan101smith said:
If you're young and walking around with a leather briefcase you'll look like a tt, period.
that really depends on where you work and on the look of the case.
Nope, you'll still look like a tt, just fewer people will realise.
I am sure that your advice holds good for biscuit designers, but it is wrong for lawyers and investment bankers.

CooperS

Original Poster:

4,580 posts

249 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
Brabus Jord said:
CooperS said:
I’ve got my birthday coming up and im now a full year into my first post grad job.

Parents like usual want to get me something I can use and keep and wouldn’t ordinarily not buy myself (previous B'days have been MB pens, nice watch etc).

So where would you find the best quality briefcases /holdall? Which can hold a laptop and folders etc but be small enough to go in overheads on UK flights?

Been looking in John Lewis as a starter and they have some really plush bags but wonder if there is better out there as you do pay the premium.

I've got about £150 to play with a bit more if I want to contribute which for the right bag I would.

Its all about quality and having something that will last more than a couple of years.

Last question is would I look like a prat with a smart leather briefcase / holdall? My bosses have them and I’ve always wanted one but they have commented on my quick uptake (had them before starting work) of having good shoes, having a nice watch and something that always catches people eyes in a boring meeting…..... pens?

They do seem to have an adverse reaction to this as but should I care?
Tom, if only you had told me :P only joking i got your bday gift today. :P

ETA check out a thread i started back in 2007. I asked the same thing and had a lot of suggestions. smilehttp://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by Brabus Jord on Monday 8th September 16:26
Excellent thanks for the link.

To answer "why do you need it".

Well I don’t, I don’t need it but like my shoes watches etc as i've said I think it would be a nice addition to my overall appearance at work and when out and about.

So come on there must be poeple who have a nice bag to visit clients and such with.

dan101smith

17,053 posts

241 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
Hmmm, possibly so. No objection to various types of bag / document holders, but IMO young people with briefcases just looks wrong - a case (geddit?) of trying to hard, perhaps? Working in Private Equity, see a lot of it.

V8mate

45,899 posts

219 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
This kind of thing is very smart (IMO).

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

BUT, I think that many of the comments above (inbetween the p1ss-taking) are quite pertinent.

Do you really feel that now, whilst in your mid-twenties (I assume from your intro) that a briefcase is the way to go?

I've just slipped the wrong side of 40 and I no longer use a briefcase - because they are neither 'in' nor particularly practical. I use a laptop case if I really need to drag IT along with me, otherwise it's a 'kewl' rucksack or leather courier/manbag thing - just depends on the client and meeting location.

Bags which leave both hands free are super-practical!