New Member..Help with Briefcase Gift

[kamaloka]

Hello all. I am new to this forum and have been doing research for about a month now on briefcases. I am planning on buying my boyfriend, who is a lawyer, a briefcase for xmas. He al ready had a black single gusset case by Cole Haan. He truly wants a burgandy/cognac colored case. I have found 4 cases I am fond of but am having a hard time deciding which one to buy.

My favorite thus far is this case by Aspinal of London

http://www.aspinaloflondon.com/eshop...espresso-suede

My Second Choice

http://www.aspinaloflondon.com/eshop...espresso-suede

Third- Bosca

http://www.boscaonline.com/leather-b...-briefbag.html

Fourth

http://www.jackgeorges.com/products/...ver-90-66.html

I apologize for not having pictures and just links but I'd appreciate it if you all could give me your opinions on which case I should buy. I thank you kindly in advance.

 

[bmulford]

I'd take the bosca out of the running. Its not up to par with the Aspinal or Jack Georges in terms of construction or materials.

Aspinal uses belting leather which is very stiff and will age well. But its expected to "patina" over time - meaning it'll pickup marks and color changes. If you're ok with that then its not a bad case.

Jack Georges is a middle of the road case, but perfectly acceptable.

You may want to keep an eye out on ebay for a Canali Burgundy briefcase. blacklabelseller often has a few up for around $500. I've seen them in bloomingdales and was very impressed with the craftsmenship and style. It retails for $1400.

Schlesinger is another brand you may wish to consider. High quality and classic styling. A goto choice for many attorneys.

Good luck!

 

[JayJay]

I like all of them, except the Bosca; but I'm not as informed about briefcases. I defer to bmulford's recommendations for additional alternatives.

 

[manouche]

Originally Posted by kamaloka

Hello all. I am new to this forum and have been doing research for about a month now on briefcases. I am planning on buying my boyfriend, who is a lawyer, a briefcase for xmas. He al ready had a black single gusset case by Cole Haan. He truly wants a burgandy/cognac colored case. I have found 4 cases I am fond of but am having a hard time deciding which one to buy.

My favorite thus far is this case by Aspinal of London

http://www.aspinaloflondon.com/eshop...espresso-suede

My Second Choice

http://www.aspinaloflondon.com/eshop...espresso-suede

Third- Bosca

http://www.boscaonline.com/leather-b...-briefbag.html

Fourth

http://www.jackgeorges.com/products/...ver-90-66.html

I apologize for not having pictures and just links but I'd appreciate it if you all could give me your opinions on which case I should buy. I thank you kindly in advance.


All these cases are for cheapskates.

Buy a Swaine Adeney Brigg.

 

[bmulford]

Originally Posted by manouche

All these cases are for cheapskates.

Buy a Swaine Adeney Brigg.

The OP seemed to be looking in the $500 range. If we take price off the table, look into Valextra, Brigg (as mentioned), Gold Pfeil (only available in Germany) and Hermes ( a bit overrated but still makes a fine case).

 

[jagmqt]

While I'll stay out of the debate about quality, (I have no first hand experience with these brands) I will say I like the look of the last two more than the first two...

I don't like the padded look of the first two, I prefer the more rigid look of the latter two bags...That's my preference. (Maybe it's just the product photography, too, that is making them look padded)

jag

 

[Ich_Dien]

Originally Posted by jagmqt

While I'll stay out of the debate about quality, (I have no first hand experience with these brands) I will say I like the look of the last two more than the first two...

I don't like the padded look of the first two, I prefer the more rigid look of the latter two bags...That's my preference. (Maybe it's just the product photography, too, that is making them look padded)

jag

+1

 

[aldica]

I pick #2

 

[Liberia Brad]

Originally Posted by kamaloka

Hello all. I am new to this forum and have been doing research for about a month now on briefcases. I am planning on buying my boyfriend, who is a lawyer, a briefcase for xmas. He al ready had a black single gusset case by Cole Haan. He truly wants a burgandy/cognac colored case. I have found 4 cases I am fond of but am having a hard time deciding which one to buy.

My favorite thus far is this case by Aspinal of London

http://www.aspinaloflondon.com/eshop...espresso-suede

My Second Choice

http://www.aspinaloflondon.com/eshop...espresso-suede

Third- Bosca

http://www.boscaonline.com/leather-b...-briefbag.html

Fourth

http://www.jackgeorges.com/products/...ver-90-66.html

I apologize for not having pictures and just links but I'd appreciate it if you all could give me your opinions on which case I should buy. I thank you kindly in advance.
1 - Hartmann two-handle, top-opening (those produced at their Lebanon, TN factory, not made-in-China ones) 2 - COACH two-handle, top-opening (again not the made-in-China ones) 3 - Mulholland (those made in their San Francisco, USA factory) 4 - Glaser Designs 5 - Schlesinger one- or two-handle, top opening 6 - Papworth 7 - Brooks Brothers

 

[Liberia Brad]

Originally Posted by manouche

All these cases are for cheapskates.

Buy a Swaine Adeney Brigg.
I would respectfully disagree that those briefcases, not being SABs, are for cheapskates. While I agree that SAB is a fine brand, not everyone has the wherewithal to purchase SAB, and that does not necessarily make them a "cheapskate." I always thought that one should buy the best one can afford. In my previous life with the nonprofit sector, all I could afford (and bear to carry around in Wset Africa) were American Tourister softsides, and then subsequently nylon TUMIs. Back then, I owned a Papworth bowtop which I carried to meetings at UK Headquarters. Did that make me a cheapskate? Nowadays, I'd buy used USA-made Mulholland bags off eBay, models that are no longer in production. Does that make me a cheapskate? Still others may prefer brands other than SAB for aesthetic/ design reasons.

 

[Invicta]

Originally Posted by kamaloka

Hello all. I am new to this forum and have been doing research for about a month now on briefcases. I am planning on buying my boyfriend, who is a lawyer, a briefcase for xmas. He al ready had a black single gusset case by Cole Haan. He truly wants a burgandy/cognac colored case. I have found 4 cases I am fond of but am having a hard time deciding which one to buy.

My favorite thus far is this case by Aspinal of London

http://www.aspinaloflondon.com/eshop...espresso-suede

My Second Choice

http://www.aspinaloflondon.com/eshop...espresso-suede

Third- Bosca

http://www.boscaonline.com/leather-b...-briefbag.html

Fourth

http://www.jackgeorges.com/products/...ver-90-66.html

I apologize for not having pictures and just links but I'd appreciate it if you all could give me your opinions on which case I should buy. I thank you kindly in advance.

I recently (ok about 7 months ago) purchased an Aspinal as a law school graduation gift for my brother. He loves it and has received nothing but complements on it.

 

[josepidal]

See if Swaine Adeney Brigg has any chestnut dispatch case type briefcases on sale right now, with the pound low.

 

[Britexpat]

I don't understand why companies make really nice looking briefcases and then attached a shoulder strap with loops on the top of the bag. It makes it look like a womans bag. Plus, in my opinion briefcases should be hand held not slung over shoulder. There shouldn't be any shoulder strap. I used to buy Bosca, before they moved to China. Aspinal is a great British company but the bag doesn't look mid to high end. The logo on the front makes it look like a promo bag with a corporate logo. For the same money as the Aspinal, look at Mulberry. http://www.mulberry.com/#/storefront...1558/category/ however they have recently shipped out their work overseas despite being a Traditional English company with a workshop in England (their marketing speak). They don't tell you that the workshop doesn't make the goods and that its all send overseas. Smythson used to sell briefcases but I believe they have stopped selling them now.