Briefcase or Messenger Bag?

Well I don't claim to know what's stylish, but I prefer a messenger bag. I think they are more practical; they will carry more due to the soft cover and therefore flexibility. Also, I like being able to sling it over my shoulder, leaving my hands free to carry other items (coffee, lunch, phone) or to have a free hand (swipe badge to get into work, answer phone, shake hands, etc). I feel like having to carry a briefcase would unnecessarily tie up one free hand all the time. Like I said, that's just looking at it practically, not so much from a style standpoint. For something you are going to utilize every single day for carrying a variety of things, it's important that it serves its function well. If it's stylish but doesn't do its job, it's just in the way. 

So determine which one best meets your needs, then figure out what within that category is stylish.

My .02 :)

I like the messenger bag over a briefcase, but that's just a personal preference.  This is what I use.  As long as you don't need a ton of capacity, this is a nice bag.  Might not be quite enough if your laptop is a big one. You can find them a little cheaper at online retailers. Even if you had to eat beans for a week to swing the extra cost, it would be well worth the sacrifice.

http://www.filson.com/products/original-briefcase.70256.html?fromCat=true&fvalsProduct=collections/filson-classics/briefcases&fmetaProduct=cc1519

A messenger bag will eventually destroy your back. You will be tempted to put too much in it.

A slim briefcase means easier transitions while walking. It limits your ability to carry what you don't need. It looks better. And your arms get a workout.

If you carry more than 6 kgs everyday get a backpack. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patek 


What kind of advice is this? I'm assuming that this is is for a business environment. If so NEVER wear a backpack.
I'm not sure what differenciates a briefcase from a messenger bag as some soft sided briefcases have shoulder straps. I know that I need a shoulder strap as I travel a lot for work and am often On the phone while running between flights. It all depends on your needs.

Most proper messenger bags are soft, unstructured and voluminous. Moreover they're often made of materials that make them about as suitable for business wear as the average backpack.

Meanwhile there are some backpack made for business environments, albeit business travel.

There are man bags and purses which are marketed as messenger bags, but they are really "man bags" and purses. Do you really want to carry a purse?

One might contend that no case or bag which incorporates a shoulder strap is suitable for CBD if you consider that a shoulder strap of any kind tends to clash with a suit jacket.

Moreover there is the connotation of carrying more items than necessary, which detracts from the image CBD is supposed to convey.

And if you're carrying a large amount of books and paperwork or related gear for some reason, then YOUR BLOODY HEALTH might be a more important consideration than appearances.

I was briefcase user but later switched to a messenger bag  because it is easier to carry around, they have lightweight types now too.

Christ. Another future bell ringer.