If you’re thinking about buying a briefcase or messenger, the options can be endless. What you choose can speak volumes about your style and career (or career aspirations), so it’s important to pick something that makes sense.
The BriefcaseFirst of all, a traditional briefcase is serious. If you wear a suit and tie everyday, you should probably carry a briefcase. For some careers (such as a lawyer), a briefcase is standard attire. So assuming you need a briefcase, how do you know what to buy? Here are a few suggestions:
For a serious career, choose black leather. It’s formal and it doesn’t stand out. You can separate yourself with the choice of leather or hardware, but the unspoken rule seems to be that the higher paying job you have, the nicer the leather you wrap your briefcase in. If you’re starting out at a law firm, you don’t need the best that money can buy – but you still need to look like you know what you’re doing. The Bill Amberg Zip-Top Briefcase is the perfect briefcase for the junior associate trying to make his or her mark in the world. It successfully combines elements of both casual and professional briefcases, and the quality is excellent. The Amberg Zip-Top Briefcase is available at Park and Bond for $695.00.
Once you’ve reached partner, your briefcase should grow up and reflect this. The Gucci Black Diamante Briefcase is a great choice for someone with money to spend. It’s patterned yet unassuming, and the craftsmanship is readily apparent. The Diamante Briefcase is available at Gucci for $2,190.00.
However, the majority of people aren’t corporate counsel. Since I like to make subtle statements with my accessories, I recommend choosing something unique yet classic – like the Prada Saffiano grey leather briefcase. The color is formal yet unassuming, the quality is superb, and you’ll stand out in the sea of black briefcases surrounding you. Although expensive, this is a briefcase that you can use for the rest of your life. The Saffiano Briefcase is available at Saks Fifth Avenue for $1,650.
The Messenger BagMost people choose messenger bags over briefcases, and the reasons for this are numerous: practicality, comfort, a less-formal look, price, etc. There are thousands of options to choose from, so i’ve narrowed the selection down to a few that I like:
The Fagen Messenger Bag. Like I mentioned above, I like different colored leather accessories – it’s good to be unique compared to the standard black and dark brown bags that are so commonplace. The Fagen Messenger Bag can be found at Barneys New York for $445.00.
The Jack Spade Industrial Canvas Dipped York Brief. The grey canvas will soften and fade over time, just like your favorite pair of jeans. Available at Saks Fifth Avenue for $245.00.
The Kenneth Cole Easy Rider Messenger Bag. This is the black briefcase of messenger bags, but at a price that won’t break the bank. You can purchase the Easy Rider at Kenneth Cole for $180.00.
