Sartorial Bag Decision

[gattica]

I'm in a quandry at the moment. I'm heading back to school in 3 months time, looking to acquire a bag. Now, I want a bag which can sufficiently fit in a laptop and books. It can also suffice as a stylish and formal bag. I have been using a "branded" leather bag for my current sales job. It's sorta an eyesore to me and it does not translate well to the current economic situation.



1) Is the bag mutually exclusive? Can both a stylish and "formal" bag be multi-purpose?
3) Past and current products that are in your lifestyle that ascribe to my situation? Would like suggestions.

Thanks.

 

[TCN]

Can you elaborate on what you mean by "formal" bag? Does that mean something that can be carried to the office and meetings while you are wearing a suit and tie?

 

[gattica]

Yeah, a formal bag which I can wear business attire. To elaborate further, I will be paying my way through college and undergrad with my part-time sales job, would like both form and function to smoothen things up.

 

[ysc]

A smart slightly retro leather satchel would do for more casual work and college use. If you get one with both a handle and a strap you can carry it like a brief case to work if you don't want to use a satchel strap with your work clothes.

 

[TCN]

When I hear "formal", I think either a traditional lid over body case or a sleek simple briefcase. It sounds like what you want is something a few notches down. Look at the Filson all-leather briefcase or similar designs if that's too expensive.

If I had used a similar bag when I was in law school, it would have taken me from then until now, and only been taken out of the rotation for the most formal of meetings.

 

[emakris]

I really fancy the Dunhill stuff although I personally use an Ermenegildo Zegna.

It's actually a document holder but my laptop is thin enough (MacBook Pro) to fit in one of the pockets while the length and width are spot on for the laptop! It's a hell of a lot smaller than laptop bags and yet it fits everything; external hard disk, power supply, cables, etc and the pockets are convenient enough for business cards, HSDPA modem card and memory sticks. It has handles as well as a strap.

The small size makes it extremely convenient when using the over-crowded Underground.

I can take a picture later tonight if you want.

 

[srivats]

http://www.customhide.com/custom_194...briefcase.html

 

[gattica]

Originally Posted by emakris

I can take a picture later tonight if you want.


Please do.



Browsing through the shops has me bereft of hope that I can find the bag I want. Yes it's ideally an leather bag or satchel with a flap. Suede would be nice. Whilst I cannot pay top dollar for the ultimate investment in a solid, durable bag. I could still delay the inevitable for the something that has to satisfy my demands. Just barely.

A leather bag can transit between casual and formal. Wearing casual clothings adorned with a leather bag speaks a thousand words. While a casual bag on business wear will look weird. Yet maybe I'm wishing for the stars when I want a bag that can fufill my needs, converting at ease and yet look classy.

 

[emakris]

Originally Posted by gattica

Please do.
Apologies for the late reply; I've been away (and still am) on an assignment with very little free time. Alas, here it is:

 

[Joffrey]

Filson zippered tote or their smallest laptop case.

 

[bigbris1]

I too have been looking at bags, here are some of the ones I'm considering. I don't want to spend more than $100:

 

[bigbris1]

I really like that first one:

 

[rach2jlc]

I posted a link the other day to some Bill Amberg bags on Yoox for next to nothing (compared to their usual prices). I think Amberg's stuff is a good line between stylishness, simplicity, good materials, and durability. http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=112063

 

[Crane's]

A Filson 257 or their field satchel would work. If you really want a nice leather satchel look at Saddleback Leather. Dave's stuff is unique and nearly indestructible. The chances are good you won't see someone else with a Saddleback bag in your journeys.