John Varvatos Black Leather Briefcase.

Source: BlueBee

Hmmm...I just feel like they could have done something a little more with the slots, perhaps not as extravagantly as this croc-trimmed carryall but with at least some sort of distinguishing mark. Much like Britney's stint in rehab and Live 8, the good idea was not taken far enough to result in anything.

John Varvatos black leather briefcase available at BlueBee for $895.

Canali Leather Hardsided Briefcase.

Source: eBay [Seller ID: rustycity]

If you're looking for a quality hardsided briefcase, try your luck at this eBay auction. The condition is new with the tag still attached, and there's no reserve price.

Any tax lawyers out there?

Canali leather hardsided briefcase available at eBay. [Current bid $101]

Spotted: Doctor Bag.

[Click for larger photo]



Source: altamira nyc

I used to think doctor bags were stodgy, but as the above photo clearly shows, it all depends on the outfit and not on the bag itself.

Forzieri has several different models of doctor bags if you're interested.

Dean Distressed Leather Briefcase.

Source: Dean

A reader has notified me of a brand called Dean. (For all I know, the email could have come from someone who works at the company. I don't really care.) The first thing that came to my mind was Tetris -- look at how the dissimilar pieces come together to form a compact structure.

I was never good at Tetris, always a millisecond too late with the weirdly-shaped pieces that look like 2 and S. And the background music really irritated me.



My humble opinion: The design is marketable to those who want a more casual, masculine look, but the handle has to be fixed -- no one wants indentations on their hands.

More information is available at Dean.

Levenger Leather Duffle/Briefcase Hybrid.

Source: Levenger

I've read good things about this company, and from what I've seen so far, the leather pieces look very nice. Obviously if you're looking for something offbeat, you should look somewhere (like high-fashion brands), but if you need a simple work bag that's capacious enough to hold a computer along with other miscellaneous bulk, then you should take this under advisement. It's great for travel, too.

Levenger leather duffle/briefcase available at Levenger for $298.

S.T. Dupont Leather Document Holder.

Source: S.T. Dupont

The handles are inordinately long for a document holder, which would make sense for a ladies' bag (which this isn't) because they can carry it on their shoulders. Handles of this length are more appropriate on tote bags. Also, the hardware does not match, and this bothers me more than people wearing two different-colored socks.

S.T. Dupont document holder available at S.T. Dupont for $850.

Pickett Pilot Case.

Source: Pickett

About the size of a travel bag, think of this as a giant briefcase for when you have lots of papers to carry. And I mean lots.

Pickett bridle leather pilot case available at Pickett for £850.

Globetrotter Leather Briefcase.

Source: Browns

This Globetrotter briefcase is far too busy and cramped with unappealing lines and motifs. The most glaring offense are those stitched X's -- and there are eight total (four more on the other side)! At least it wasn't contrast stitching because that would have been even more repugnant. Furthermore the handles are attached to the body at an angle. Normally this does not present a problem, however, in this case, the lines are extended to the bottom and intersect with an incompatible pentagon shape.

In short, much like the Samsonite Black Label Bayamo briefcase, this bag fails to achieve proper geometric configuration and proportions.

Globetrotter leather briefcase available at Browns for £275.

Samsonite Black Label Bayamo Briefcase.

Source: Samsonite


Dear Readers,

I leave it up to you to tell me why this briefcase is so awkward-looking. (Hint: Compare with Dunhill or Louis Vuitton.)

Please leave your notes in the comment section.

Thank you.


Sincerely,

CC

----------

Click here for the follow-up post.

Paul Smith Fall/Winter 2008.

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I'm not sure what the material is, but the texture reminds me of cardiac muscle fiber (except without the intercalated discs). I would have preferred that the handles be attached by rectangular hardware, but it's a beautiful bag nonetheless, something I would buy on first markdown.

Roberto Cavalli Fall/Winter 2008.

[Click for larger photos]



They look like croc-embossed bags. I hope I'm not defaming perfectly good products, but the grooves and ridges look artificial.

Maybe it's the lighting. (If nothing else, always blame the lighting.)

Dunhill Confidential Single Document Case.

After posting this Target briefcase today, I needed to get the foul image out of my mind somehow. This Dunhill case was the answer.

Dunhill Confidential briefcase available at Dunhill for $485 (reduced from $810).

Target Bags That Cost More Than $100.

Target is where I buy generic brand gallon-sized liquid hand soap.

Target is where I buy zip-up hoodies.

Target is where I buy inexpensive exercise equipment because they invariably end up in the garbage dumpster after I lose my motivation.

Target is not where I thought I would see bags that cost more than patio furniture.





Target carries designer-inspired bags, ranging from "YSL Downtown" to "Burberry Manor", but none of it costs more than $40-50. The messenger bag is $118.99, and the briefcase is $102.99.

The messenger bag looks OK, but carrying that briefcase will only result in backhanded, snide remarks from the likes of me. If you want decent leather bags without starving for a month, go to J Crew or Banana Republic.

Remember, Target is where you shop for things that people won't see you use/wear on a daily basis.

Loewe Briefcase.

Source: Luxezone

Although it's well-structured and defined, an envelope design befits a portfolio more than a briefcase. The handle looks comfortable though.

Swaine Adeney Brigg Sale.

Source: Swaine Adeney Brigg

If you want real exclusivity at a bargain, then you're in luck -- Swaine Adeney Brigg is taking off 50% on all seasonal pieces.

Click here to see more luxurious leather goods on sale.

And by 50% off, I mean really 50% off -- not like Neiman Marcus, who has been known to increase prices before the sale to make it seem as though you're getting a better deal than you really are.

William & Son Hardsided Briefcases.

Source: William & Son

Will the hardsided briefcase reverse its waning influence?

Black alligator: £7425
Tan bridle hide: £1215
Black bridle hide: £1255

Available at William & Son.

Prada Glazed Calfskin Briefcase.

Source: Saks

I for one will never carry a bag that reminds me of a shar-pei. Unlike a hideous canine creature, this won't grow on you.

Prada glazed calfskin briefcase available at Saks.

Reader Submission: Bottega Veneta And Columbia Law School.

Bottega Veneta intrecciato briefcase and Columbia Law School messenger bag

JD = $$$$$$$
PhD = $$

I'm in the wrong program.

John Lobb Calfskin Briefcase.

Source: Bergdorf Goodman

Crooked. Disproportionate. Uneven. Paris Hilton's eye. And what's with the double-buckles?

But I'm not a hedge fund manager or Larry H. Parker. This is really more for the shoe aficionado who's loyal to the brand, and anyone unfamiliar with John Lobb will surely be turned away by the price tag. At least it's a bit more edgy than Berluti, for instance.

John Lobb calfskin briefcase available at Bergdorf Goodman for $3300.

Facebook Marketplace: Knockoff "Hermès" Croc Briefcase.

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You can't get a quarter-decent crocodile briefcase for less than $300. That's just not going to happen. You'd have better luck rehabilitating Britney.

It's a shame Facebook went global. It was fun when it was only for posting pictures of drunken debaucheries. How things change in three short years - now we have counterfeiters selling their trashy, illegal merchandise.

Not that underage drinking was any less illegal.