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Briefcase for law school

post #1 of 37
12/5/11 at 4:57pm
Thread Starter 
Hiya!

I'm attending law school (4.5 years) starting this january. It has dawned on me that I might need a proper briefcase for these years, and onwards if it's a quality purchase.

I've unfortunately fallen in love in a litigators briefcase, as shown here
OIxpN.jpg

http://www.styleforum.net/t/227851/the-ultimate-accessory-litigators-briefcase-in-caramel-museum-calf

Now, I'm no big timer. I work as a subsitute teacher earning 18$ an hour, netting about 1400$ each month (no rent or fuel costs as I live with my parents until january). During university studies we get a loan/support of 1250$ a month. Rent, food, books and neccesities brings that down to about 500$ to spend on leisures (clothes, shoes, fika, the mooshine).

Am I stupid for wanting this at the start of law school? I have searched for the exact same colour combination but to no avail, I guess it was a one-off for the store he bought it from. Plus, shipping and taxes would bring the sum up from 500$ to 700$ at least.
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post #2 of 37
12/5/11 at 5:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by UncleCozy View Post

Am I stupid for wanting this at the start of law school?
Yes. Get a backpack or messenger bag.
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post #3 of 37
12/5/11 at 5:06pm
That would not at all be practical in a US law school. Get a Filson 257 if you want something nicer than a backpack.
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post #4 of 37
12/5/11 at 5:07pm
You're not stupid, but this isn't going to do the job.

For at least the first year or two you are going to be lugging around ungodly large books (imagine multiple hardcover encyclopedias) plus papers and laptop. Get something large and easy to carry. There is nothing wrong with a backpack and I saw plenty of people with rolling bags. The rolling bags look ridiculous, but I remember plenty of days where I wish I had one.

I used a canvas landsend bag that belonged to my dad (who was an attorney who passed away while I was in college). I made a point of using it until I passed the bar. The bag was hammered by that point.
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post #5 of 37
12/5/11 at 5:10pm
x2. Get something cheaper for school. You'll probably lose it anyway when you get drunk immediately after the bar exam and decide to take your briefcase with you and go spend a weekend in Atlantic City drinking far too much and doubling down three times in a row on one hand of blackjack and that goddamn dealer pops up 21 and smiles at you so you go on a tear and start throwing things out of a moving convertible in a combination of anger and frustration and relief.

Or something like that.
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post #6 of 37
12/5/11 at 5:16pm
Don't most law schools have lockers? I don't think you're going to be carrying around all your books for the day.
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post #7 of 37
12/5/11 at 5:17pm
I would start with a backpack unless you are interning. To be honest, I've purchased some very nice bags for my professional work recently but end up using my backpack more than anything else b/c it just holds more and is so much more convenient.
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post #8 of 37
12/5/11 at 5:25pm
OP, you may have an overly glamorous idea about what law school will be like. Get a backpack.
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post #9 of 37
12/5/11 at 5:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tobiasj View Post

OP, you may have an overly glamorous idea about what law school will be like. Get a backpack.

Agreed. Get a sturdy backpack. You are going to want to emphasize comfort and convenience over style. If Swedish law school is anything like North American law school, you're going to alternate between late nights at the library and desperate two-day-long hangovers. If you're not comfortable, you're in for a long few years.
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post #10 of 37
12/5/11 at 5:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ambulance Chaser View Post

Don't most law schools have lockers? I don't think you're going to be carrying around all your books for the day.

I had a locker, but I still feel like I spent time carrying the books. I also would study in coffee shops and bring the books back and forth to school. At one point I just stored everything in my car.
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post #11 of 37
12/5/11 at 6:28pm
this will do the trick http://store.archivalclothing.com/products/archival-cotton-duck-rucksack

or if you must get a briefcase...id go a filson or some other waxed cotton bag that you can beat on.

when you graduate you can buy an ostentatious case like the link above, but by then you will have realized that something simpler in bridle leather will serve your needs better.
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post #12 of 37
12/6/11 at 4:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by celeste_pista View Post

this will do the trick http://store.archivalclothing.com/products/archival-cotton-duck-rucksack
or if you must get a briefcase...id go a filson or some other waxed cotton bag that you can beat on.
when you graduate you can buy an ostentatious case like the link above, but by then you will have realized that something simpler in bridle leather will serve your needs better.

That backpack looks so uncomfortable. When you're carrying a laptop and 4k pages you shouldn't care how it looks.
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post #13 of 37
12/6/11 at 8:00am
i am using my filson 257 now, and i still need a backpack sometimes, because my laptop takes up some spaces too. based on my own opinion, briefcase is really after law school. a sturdy backpack can help you very much. all those pages on one shoulder, hurts.
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post #14 of 37
12/6/11 at 8:00am
You need two things

1. Backpack for books
2. Messenger bag for laptop
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post #15 of 37
12/6/11 at 8:04am
Go for the case you like...life is short!

When you become an attorney the case will look like you have some experience!
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