I’ve been on a briefcase hunt lately and the requirements for luxury watch journalist are quite challenging. Obviously if money was no option, shelling out thousands for a Dunhill or Louis Vuitton briefcase is definitely a no brainer. That said, the salary of a writer isn’t exactly something that can stretch in the directions of well crafted watches, tailored suits AND artisanal leather goods. I needed a briefcase that was:
- Able to hold my MacBook- Keep in mind that while all bags can certainly carry a laptop, not all bags can hold one without the base of the briefcase sagging from the weight of it. A dedicated padded laptop section offers both protection from knocks and compartmentalises it to the side thus avoiding the dreaded “sagging” issue.
- Look classic and be able hold its ground in the face of prestigious brands
- Convey my respect of handcrafted traditions
- Not cost more than a thousand dollars
5 Timeless Laptop Briefcases Worth Buying
Tailfeather, an Australian brand, puts forth a luxurious yet inexpensive briefcase which ticks all the right boxes for me. Designed and hand crafted by husband and wife team Scottie and Natalia in Tallarook,Victoria. The small workshop focuses on small production runs as a result of meticulous attention to detail and full handcrafting adhering to a philosophy of- Timeless design; Traditional crafting techniques with handcut patterns, handstitched panels, edges burnished with natural beeswax and custom-made brass hardware; Top grain leather from Italy; Ergonomic industrial design designed to fit the body and distribute weight comfortably.
The Tailfeather Kestrel
The Tailfeather Kestrel Is a bag that means business and paired with a suit and a great weekend companion with denims, available in two sizes to fit your 13 or 15 inch laptop, with plenty of room for your papers and notebooks, and pockets for your phone and pens.
The Scarosso Trillo is a great value when it comes to a newspaper bag. I’m a frequent reader of global design and business brief- Monocle and I came to know of the Belgian artisanal brand Delvaux and grew enamoured with their newspaper tote: one problem – a few thousand euro stood between me and one of the best looking designer briefcases in the world. The Trillo is an excellent alternative for under 300 Euro. Completely crafted in Italy and coming with 30 day free returns, you can’t go wrong.
Trillo Messenger
The ’14” Trillo Messenger’ bag is offered in dark brown Vachetta leather with water resistant dark blue nylon lining. This discreetly practical bag includes an outside leather strip to hold the daily newspaper along with an adjustable, detachable leather shoulder strap, and a separate inner section to fit up to a 14-inch laptop.
Danish brand Mismo led by another husband-and-wife team Adam Bach and Rikke Overgaard embody signature Danish design and heritage, combining their backgrounds in market economics and men’s tailoring to deliver a classic yet contemporary briefcases. Theirs is a label that conveys discreet elegance in understated tones yet speaking loudly about their understanding of what true luxury is about.
Mismo Pine Green and Dark Brown Briefcase
The Mismo Pine Green briefcase is the natural choice for anyone dreaming of a handy yet stylish casual bag for the office. The bag features a separate inside laptop compartment (15″), and opposite two open “slit down” pockets. It has an outside signature pocket with enough room for an adaptor, etc. and two slim, slit-down pockets on either side for a mobile phone, iPod, pencils and more. Comes with an adjustable and detachable shoulder strap.
Not to be outdone, the French, Paris-based brand Bonastre was something that caught my attention at Pitti Uomo in June 2013. Exclusively handcrafted and au naturel (that is no artificial dyes or synthetic tanning processes), their briefcases are one of the most stylish offerings I’ve ever seen. It’s not a classic work bag in the traditional sense but incredibly chic.
Bonastre D6 Bag
The Splurge: Ettinger London
It’s not cheap. And if purchased, would be considered a splurge, but an Anglophile like myself simply cannot resist Ettinger. Since its appointment as manufacturers of leather goods to H.R.H. The Prince of Wales in 1996, the Ettinger name has been associated with some of the United Kingdom’s most revered organisations. It’s a name seeped in tradition yet eschews the opulent and sometimes flagrant displays of branding from other big named and mass marketed luxury products on the market today.
Metropolitan Navy Bakerloo Portfolio Case
This navy leather zipped portfolio case which opens top and side is from Ettinger’s Metropolitan Collection. The spacious internal compartment contains two pockets that hold A4 papers and four additional pockets perfect for smaller documents, smartphones, wallets and credit cards. The zip closes with a brass lock to guarantee complete security of contents. Two retractable handles means the Bakerloo portfolio may be carried as a case or under the arm.
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- The Mismo Pine Green briefcase is the natural choice for anyone dreaming of a handy yet stylish casual bag for the office. The bag features a separate inside laptop compartment (15″), and opposite two open “slit down” pockets. It has an outside signature pocket with enough room for an adaptor, etc. and two slim, slit-down pockets on either side for a mobile phone, iPod, pencils and more. Comes with an adjustable and detachable shoulder strap.
The Monsieur 
itsaneeps
November 10, 2013
Am liking them more than I should. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME?
Jonathan
November 11, 2013
Tailfeather is right around where you live. I think you can get them at Double Monk 🙂
Cheers,
Jonathan