Ferragamo Briefcase

[pg600rr]

I have been looking at briefcases as I need to pick one up. So far I have visited the Ferragamo, LV, Bottega stores. First LV is out of the question, the briefs I looked at there were horrible! and if I was going to drop $2k on a briefcase it certainly wouldnt be LV. Bottega had some beautiful ones in their signature weave but a bit more casual looking than what I want. I really liked the Ferragamo one, it was similar to what is pictured here:
http://ferragamo.neimanmarcus.com/st...ndex=15&tid=C9

But I believe that is the slightly larger one then the version I looked at because the one I looked at retailed for around $1100 (which is still more than I want to spend). However I did love the look and the roughness of the leather with the laser texturing....

How much of the cost of the Ferragamo one is in the name? the quality looked very nice to me but I am not that familar with briefs. I am looking for one along those lines though, slim, modern, something that isnt going to get destroyed everytime I set it down (so no buttery soft leather)....

I could not (nor do I want to pay $1100 for that particular one) but if I could find it on ebay or on sale somewhere for around $400 I would grab it. Actually saw it at the NM sale in green for $550 and almost pulled the trigger but had second thoughts about the dark green color.

 

[ennui]

This doesn't directly answer your question, but I got a Valextra slim briefcase from Off 5th late last year for around $600-ish. I would only need to use a briefcase for interviews (which I haven't done in years) but I couldn't resist. My point is that you can check out the Last Calls or the Off 5ths for these deals sometimes. I found mine in the ladies' purse section.

 

[emmanuel]

So what were you doing in Lous vuitton and Bottega veneta if you wanted to spend around $500? Also I am confused what you are asking?

 

[rach2jlc]

I like Ferragamo men's goods, but I agree that at full retail you pay a hefty premium for their name, as with any major fashion brand. The style you posted seems a standard briefcase style... certainly you could find a decent non-brand/designer bag that would be in your price range. You might also try Barney's house brand, which also goes on sale.

Nevertheless, as the above poster suggests, hit up a sale at neimans, saks, etc. and you can probably find one in the under-$500 range, which might be worth it... though I haven't seen this particular bag in person.

LV, as you may know, never goes on sale, so that's right out. As well, on ebay, unless the bag is fake or HEAVILY used, you'll still probably pay 70% or more. Bottega is more expensive at retail, so even half off is probably going to be way more than you'd be looking.

 

[pg600rr]

Originally Posted by emmanuel

So what were you doing in Lous vuitton and Bottega veneta if you wanted to spend around $500? Also I am confused what you are asking?

1.) I wanted items to compare with around the same pricepoint; 2.) you can often find goods that sell for full retail at those stores for 30-60% off elsewhere as the person mentioned above about their Valtrexa; 3.) mainly to see the different styles and qualities in person.

Now to what I am asking. I am asking for suggestions similar to the Ferragamo one I posted. What the consensus is as to the quality and construction of Ferragamo leather goods. How much of the mark up on Ferragamo briefs is because of the name recognition (ie LV).

 

[athletics]

I have seen the case you linked to and I did not get the feeling it was worth the price, or half the price for that matter. I recently purchased a briefcase and determined these models were too flimsy than what I needed. I ended up buying a Glaser flaptop and even though it was a little more than I originally planned, I felt like the value of what I was getting was enough to justify the purchase price and the build quality will make the bag last a lifetime. Some of the designers ones didn't give me that feeling.

 

[ziggysnorkel]

Most good briefcases that I've seen are backed by a warranty. So the part about a briefcase being flimsy shouldn't worry you too much. As for briefcases taht look similar--there is the LV, Ferragamo, prada, gucci, etc. All those designer bags are all very similar looking but all are around the same price. LV is probably the most reputable of the ones I mentioned, considering they were making trunks since the 1800s. I personally have a prada saffiano briefcase --which I have never used. But I think all of these designer briefcases are rather fragile. If you want them for the bling, then they're good. They're not for lugging crap around. I wouldn't really count on finding a great deal on one through a store. Best bet is online through the B&S forum or ebay--but then again you have to watch out for fakes.

I'm not sure if your pricepoint is around the $500 range or $1000+ range. If 1000+, then you can really look at most of the mentioned briefcases. If it's the $500 range, you're going to have to opt for a non designer bag if you want one brand new. Also, I wasn't sure what use you wanted to get out of the briefcase. Is it a bag to lug around real work, or is it for bling?

 

[pg600rr]

Originally Posted by ziggysnorkel

Most good briefcases that I've seen are backed by a warranty. So the part about a briefcase being flimsy shouldn't worry you too much. As for briefcases taht look similar--there is the LV, Ferragamo, prada, gucci, etc. All those designer bags are all very similar looking but all are around the same price. LV is probably the most reputable of the ones I mentioned, considering they were making trunks since the 1800s. I personally have a prada saffiano briefcase --which I have never used. But I think all of these designer briefcases are rather fragile. If you want them for the bling, then they're good. They're not for lugging crap around. I wouldn't really count on finding a great deal on one through a store. Best bet is online through the B&S forum or ebay--but then again you have to watch out for fakes.

I'm not sure if your pricepoint is around the $500 range or $1000+ range. If 1000+, then you can really look at most of the mentioned briefcases. If it's the $500 range, you're going to have to opt for a non designer bag if you want one brand new. Also, I wasn't sure what use you wanted to get out of the briefcase. Is it a bag to lug around real work, or is it for bling?

Thanks for the info, it would be to lug around real work not for bling. It just looks like alot of the ones mentioned on SF are practical in the sense that they have 50 compartments and you can fit a laptop, five books, a change of clothes, and whatever else, but they also all look like the "briefcase" that my highschool teachers lugged to school everyday. I dont need it to carry a ton of stuff, I am in the legal profession so I have a fair amount of documents and papers coming home with me at night and throughout the day, no need for the typical huge courtroom lawyers brief though, that is far too large for my needs. I just want something a little less Filson looking and more sleek/modern than what is usually preferred on SF.

 

[ziggysnorkel]

I got it off a member on style forum, but I'm thinking about getting something else so I might sell it.

 

[bmulford]

Originally Posted by ziggysnorkel

I got it off a member on style forum, but I'm thinking about getting something else so I might sell it.

this wouldn't be the infamous one from Sf_esq would it?

I too have wanted a saffiano briefcase for cheap (I got in line with everyone else). I found one in brown on ebay for $250, but haven't found a black very often.

 

[sf_esq]

Originally Posted by bmulford

this wouldn't be the infamous one from Sf_esq would it?

I too have wanted a saffiano briefcase for cheap (I got in line with everyone else). I found one in brown on ebay for $250, but haven't found a black very often.

Ah, yes, Mr. Mulford. That would be the one. Ziggysnorkel was the lucky buyer. Ziggysnorker, are you thinking about selling it?

 

[ziggysnorkel]

Maybe....I haven't used it either

I wanted to get a custom briefcase from April in Paris. I was thinking about a hybrid between John Lobb's briefcase and the Prada, brown, and smaller.

 

[_AMD]

Originally Posted by pg600rr

Thanks for the info, it would be to lug around real work not for bling. It just looks like alot of the ones mentioned on SF are practical in the sense that they have 50 compartments and you can fit a laptop, five books, a change of clothes, and whatever else, but they also all look like the "briefcase" that my highschool teachers lugged to school everyday. I dont need it to carry a ton of stuff, I am in the legal profession so I have a fair amount of documents and papers coming home with me at night and throughout the day, no need for the typical huge courtroom lawyers brief though, that is far too large for my needs. I just want something a little less Filson looking and more sleek/modern than what is usually preferred on SF.

Have you looked at Glaser Designs at all? They have some great leather products in a variety of sizes. In my experience (although limited), they are great quality and construction. Just a thought.

Aaron

 

[bmulford]

Originally Posted by ziggysnorkel

Maybe....I haven't used it either

I wanted to get a custom briefcase from April in Paris. I was thinking about a hybrid between John Lobb's briefcase and the Prada, brown, and smaller.

Let me know if you're going to put that up for sale... I'll hem and haw with you as I did Sf_esq

 

[sf_esq]

Originally Posted by ziggysnorkel

Maybe....I haven't used it either

I wanted to get a custom briefcase from April in Paris. I was thinking about a hybrid between John Lobb's briefcase and the Prada, brown, and smaller.

It's like a hot potato.

I hope you end up using it. If you decide to sell it, be prepared to get to know Mr. Mulford. Sorry, Brian, I couldn't resist.