6 of the best bags to take to work
Whether looking for a satchel or a briefcase, make sure your choice is in the bag
Words: Gentleman's Journal
Important documents, papers and work correspondence should always be properly protected. Be they zipped up in a backpack, clipped up in a satchel or clasped closed in a briefcase, work documents deserve more than that ripped carrier bag you’re currently cramming them into. Not only does it lack style, suaveness or sophistication, it’s also a carrier bag. I mean, really – take a look at yourself.
Instead, with the work year in full swing again, we’ve rounded up six of the finest satchels and bags that’ll add both comfort and class to your commute, and protect those all important files and folders you need to impress in the office.
Strikingly-coloured and of solid construction, Montblanc’s sleek ‘Meisterstück’ briefcase is a serious upgrade from whatever office kit you’re toting now. It’s been made in Italy from smooth leather, has an elegant slim silhouette and well-organised interior. And our favourite part? Just how different that rich navy hue and polished silver hardware will look in a sea of black and white drab commuters.
Paul Smith, of course, has added a hint of colour to the usual boring briefcase. Proves that your workplace bag doesn’t have to be all business – this version is relaxed enough for a creative office or those days spent working from the corner café. Constructed from robust full-grain leather, it’s finished with the label’s ‘city webbing’ – a rich take on the brand’s signature stripes and an adornment which lifts it above your usual luggage without going ‘full Smith’. Pack your portfolio and 13″ laptop inside – and look cooler than ever doing so.
Anderson’s offering in the workplace stakes – a striking backpack crafted at the brand’s workshop in Parma, Italy – is fashioned from supple navy suede with brown leather panels on the top, back and base for added structure. And, to afford even further protection for your documents, it’s further reinforced by the full canvas lining and equipped with zipped and pouch internal pockets for storing any loose essentials.
If you cycle to work, this is the bag for you. Brooks England have 150 years of experience created the perfect cycling accessories, and this makes them true experts in their field. The ‘Pickwick’ is a backpacked created from specially treated cotton canvas to give it durability, water-resistance and making it safe to throw on in any weather. Designer-stamped leather trims and sturdy webbing make it more hard-wearing than many backpacks, and a canvas-lined interior is spacious enough to fit both your laptop, portfolio and a change of clothes.
If your office is a sea of dark suits and white shirts, a sophisticated briefcase like Mulberry’s ‘Chiltern’ style will set you apart. It’s made from brown pebble-grain leather and designed with a push lock hidden behind the silver buckle that makes it easy to access essentials. And, if ease comes at the top of your list of demands when replacing that tattered bag you’ve been lugging around for years, just look to the detachable shoulder strap to lighten the load on your daily commute.
Bleu de Chauffe’s ‘Remix’ briefcase has been cut, assembled and stitched entirely by hand at the label’s workshop in Aveyron, France – and we love it for its look of rugged reliability. Look inside and you’ll find a label signed and dated by the artisan who made it – a lovely personal touch. And, constructed from Cordura canvas that’s renowned for its durability and resistance to scuffs and scrapes, this carryall is a solid choice for everyday use. Smart and practical, there’s ample space inside for all of your workweek essentials, including a laptop, documents and a wallet.
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