Designer briefcases compliment your clothing style, and add a hint of luxury to your look, ideal for a business setting.
The first briefcases (back in Roman times) looked similar to a satchel and were even mentioned in one of Shakespeare’s famous sonnets! In the 19th century, the briefcase started to become associated with the entrepreneur.
Since then, the briefcase has been tied with every kind of businessman (even those below the law) think of the stacks of cash lining the famous television mobsters' briefcases!
At one time it seemed as though the professionals and businesspeople were leaning toward carrying a backpack to transport their things to and from work, but it seems that was a short-lived trend and in 2023 the classier looking briefcase is back in style.
Best Designer Briefcases 2023
Here we have our choice for the best designer briefcases by type and style:
Best High End Designer Briefcase
Winner: No1 Premium Leather Briefcase
Pros:
- Locking main comparment.
- Useful easy access back compartment.
- Full grain leather.
- Handmade in Florence, Italy.
- Soft cotton lining.
- Durable YKK brass zippers.
- 15.6 inch laptop compartment.
- Detacheable shoulders strap.
- Can be personalized.
- Available in black, brown, or tan leather.
Best Designer Laptop Briefcase
Winner: CITY Large Laptop Briefcase
Pros:
- 17 inch laptop compartment.
- Full grain leather.
- Handmade in Florence, Italy.
- Soft cotton lining.
- Durable YKK brass zippers.
- Spacious design, without being bulky.
- Can be personalized.
The CITY large is available in black, brown, or tan leather.
Browse the CITY Large online here.
Best Designer Briefcase Backpack
Winner: 10X Leather Laptop Backpack
Pros:
- Full grain leather
- Dedicated compartments, perfect for travel.
- Can convert from backpack to shoulder bag for ease of access.
- Top and side handles for when moving through airports.
- Fits up to 15.6 inch laptop or tablet.
- Handmade in Italy
- Can be personalized
- Available in brown, tan, black, or red leather.
- Unisex.
Best Designer Messenger Briefcase
Winner: Exquisite Slim Leather Laptop Briefcase
Pros:
- Full grain leather
- Slim profile
- Detachable shoulder strap
- 14 inch laptop compartment
- Mobile and tablet slip pockets
- Large internal zipped pocket
- Three pen slots
- Fits A4 size paper
- Handmade in Italy
- Can be personalized
- Available in black, brown, red, or tan.
Best Designer Travel Briefcase
Winner: 10X Leather Laptop Backpack
Pros:
- Full grain leather
- Dedicated compartments, perfect for travel.
- Can convert from backpack to shoulder bag for ease of access.
- Top and side handles for when moving through airports.
- Fits up to 15.6 inch laptop or tablet.
- Handmade in Italy
- Can be personalized
- Available in brown, tan, black, or red leather.
- Unisex.
Best Designer Garment Briefcase
Winner: Grand Leather Garment Bag
Pros:
- Full grain leather
- Dedicated garment carrier.
- Carry-on luggage size.
- Carry a suit and shirt without creasing.
- Large main compartment for other items.
- 16 inch laptop compartment.
- Perfect for the gym or business travel.
- Adjustable shoulder strap.
- Durable cotton lining and YKK zippers.
- Handmade in Italy
- Can be personalized
Best Designer Rolling Briefcase
Winner: Voyager Leather Carry-on with Wheels
Pros:
- Full grain leather
- Hand luggage compliant.
- 16 inch laptop sleeve.
- Luggage tag included.
- Two exterior pockets for easy-to-reach items.
- Durable cotton lining and YKK zippers.
- Handmade in Italy
- Designer travel bag.
- Can be personalized
Best Designer Locking Briefcase
Winner: No3 Satchel Leather Locking Briefcase
Pros:
- Full grain leather.
- Handmade in Florence, Italy.
- Soft cotton lining.
- Durable YKK brass zippers.
- Locking function.
- 13 inch laptop compartment.
- Detacheable shoulders strap.
- Can be personalized.
- Available in black, brown, or tan leather.
Benefits of a Briefcase
A briefcase is usually meant for carrying things on short trips - between your car and the office for example. If you have a long daily walk to work or need to travel a lot or carry heavy loads on a daily basis, a briefcase may not be your best option.
A briefcase makes a perfect gift for a business or law school graduate as it still carries that symbolism of indicating a professional. Formal attire pairs perfectly with a briefcase because a briefcase is meant to be carried by a handle, so the shoulder strap won’t damage your coat or crumple your freshly ironed shirt. Therefore, if you have a job that requires a suit jacket a briefcase would be an ideal way to carry your important items.
If you don’t require formal dress at your place of work a backpack or messenger bag may be more practical. Today almost all briefcases do come equipped with shoulder straps, but they are meant for short bursts of use - running for the bus for example - not for walking or cycling eight or ten blocks to work.
Essential Briefcase Features
The most important consideration when you are thinking about which briefcase to buy is knowing what you will be carrying in it. Make sure the briefcase you choose has enough space and compartments so that you can fit everything and stay organized. Sometimes laying everything that you need to carry out on a flat surface can help you decide what kind of bag you will need.
Related:
- Best Business Briefcases for Men
- Best Leather Briefcases for Men
- Best Leather Messenger Bags for Men
- What Bag Goes with a Suit?
- Best Way to Carry Things in Your Suit
- How to Organise Your Work Bag
Designer Briefcase Costs
Prices for designer briefcases can vary a great deal dependent on what material the briefcase is made out of, and on the features it has.
For a quality leather briefcase from a top brand, expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $2000.
FAQs
Why is it called a briefcase?
A briefcase was called a briefcase because lawyers would carry briefs in them to present in court. Originally, a briefcase was a hard-shelled box-shaped bag with a handle, perfect for carrying important documents.
Are briefcases popular?
Yes, the briefcase is very much associated with professional businessmen and women who need a carrier for their laptops and important documents.
Related:
- Men's Leather Work Bags
- Men's Leather Messenger Bags
- Men's Leather Laptop Bags
- Men's Leather Briefcases
- Women's Leather Work Bags
- Women's Leather Briefcases
- Women's Leather Laptop Bags
- Women's Shoulder Bags
Do legal professionals carry a briefcase?
A briefcase looks professional and can often be locked. This provides both an appropriate look for a lawyer as well as a secure way to carry a client’s private documents and information.
Brown vs Black Briefcases
The color of your briefcase will depend a lot on personal preference but black looks really great with a formal business suit. Brown or tan briefcases look perfect with more casual clothing.
What is an attache case?
An attaché case is a type of thin briefcase. It is smaller than a typical briefcase and includes two equally sized compartments. An attaché case is smaller than the average briefcase and comes with either a key lock or a combination lock.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our article on the best designer briefcases.
If you have any questions or comments, contact us at info@vonbaer.com, or leave them in the comments.
Want to read more? Check out our Work pages here.
Also browse our Style pages here.
Author: Albert Varkki
Albert Varkki is the co-founder of Von Baer. He understands leather products as a consumer, supplier, and a manufacturer, helping you with the inside knowledge you need, to choose the perfect leather product for you. Connect on Linkedin
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