The Definitive MANBAG Thread, Part II: 2014~

[il_colonnello]



This is exactly the way I feel. (Sorry to be late to the discussion.)

I have a ridiculous love for Prada's nylon bags. It's not about the branding; I actually wish they'd tone it down a bit a be a bit more like they were in the 80s or 90s. I just really love the way they look--the shapes and what they're made of--and they work with everything I wear. But I've owned Prada stuff in the past, and it hasn't been of the highest quality (my 20-year-old backpack has lasted, though). People say the brand is in decline. The bags are ridiculously expensive.

Still, at the end of the day, I cannot find any bags from anyone that are exactly like the ones I love from Prada. The closest I've come is Tomas Maier, but I'm not really crazy about the shape of the bag and I can't handle one in person. So I'm stuck. I can either choose to buy another bag that is not as expensive and perhaps of higher quality, but I'll always have my eye on one of the Pradas that I like or I'll always look around for something else that I might like more, which will just lead to more buying. Or I can choose to spend a ton of money on a bag that I love and stop worrying about what else is out there.

Yes, nobody does nylon like Miuccia.

I had a chance today to try on a padded jacket from last fall's "black nylon" collection, and it was all I could do to stop myself from buying it (I have wardrobes full of winter outerwear). Just flicked through pictures of the whole collection on Vogue Runway and damn can nylon look awesome in the hands of a capable designer!

My advice is, get that bag. Who cares if it's gonna last an eternity, who wants to carry around the same bag for a lifetime anyway. The regrets of getting second preferences are worse, as you seem to suspect yourself.

 

[ultravisitor]

Yes, nobody does nylon like Miuccia.

Seriously. As I recently said to another friend (who also happens to love the Prada nylon), I have no idea how or why Miuccia Prada has the great nylon bag on such lockdown. Those kinds of pieces seem like they should be so simple to execute well, but maybe not. It's really kind of amazing.

 

[razl]



The regrets of getting second preferences are worse, as you seem to suspect yourself.

This is some hard won advice. I think I learned it faster than most, but I still burned a lot of time and money on things that were "almost" what I wanted; now I know.

For me, once I really embraced that, things are actually easier. I'm much more comfortable passing on things that I know aren't exactly what I want and the road to finding the right one is much more enjoyable. Longer, perhaps, but certainly less frustrating.

 

[FromToronto]

What are your thoughts on Mulberry and this briefcase? Says it's tanned leather. Only concern I have is it's made in Turkey (as I've emailed them to ask).

http://www.mulberry.com/ca/shop/men...hiltern-briefcase-black-natural-grain-leather

 

[rach2jlc]



What are your thoughts on Mulberry and this briefcase? Says it's tanned leather. Only concern I have is it's made in Turkey (as I've emailed them to ask).

http://www.mulberry.com/ca/shop/men...hiltern-briefcase-black-natural-grain-leather

Most of their recent bags I've seen are made in Turkey (or at least not in England). I find them wildly, ludicrously overpriced for what they are... though admittedly I like the styling. I've read that they are trying to bring back manufacturing to England to reinforce their history/image... but still you are paying a lot for what is really nothing all that extraordinary. Same as virtually any other "major" brand.

 

[rach2jlc]

For something I consider a GOOD value... last week I took delivery of a bag from SARTOLANE, a Poland-based leather maker that has been around for a few years. Small and family owned, they show at Pitti and a few other places. Really nice bags for the money ($600-900, or 500-800 euros); nice hardware and lining, good weight/feel to the leather. I especially recommend doing the "Patina" briefcase, where you start with a neutral base and can request a custom color pattern that is done by hand. They are also very responsive to questions and communication; that's not something you can get much with a "big" brand.

www.sartolane.com
Instagram @sartolane

This is the base bag, on which you can request pretty much any color (and interior layout):

For mine, I've already got the standard black, brown, and tan. I wanted something fun... so I got a royal blue with orange lining. I also think a chestnut brown, oxblood, or even a burnt orange exterior would be beautiful. Or lime green!

This is from their instagram feed... @sartolane

 

[theoogle]

I need some help finding a briefcase. I want something slim (max 3" wide but ideally 2-2.5"), brown, leather and sub 1000$. I usually carry at the most my 13" laptop, iPad, charger and a couple of small files. Definitely needs a laptop slot, Lotuff and Frank Clegg are out because of this (I hate using laptop cases). I also need at least one pocket for charger/wires and some pen holders. Here are my current considerations and what like/don't like. Maybe someone of you can provide feedback to sway me one way or the other, or provide alternatives.

1. Linjer Soft Brief - https://www.linjer.co/collections/men-soft-briefcases/products/soft-briefcase-mocha

Currently my front runner. Love everything about this bag except that the zipper isn't deep. This bag would be a no brainer for me if it almost opened flat. The inside also seems a bit lower quality than the rest. Wish it had an outside pocket.

2. La Portegna Carter - https://www.laportegna.com/carter-leather-briefcase-sol

What a gorgeous bag. Doesn't come in brown. Hate the handles. The cross body strap clip is a bit of a joke, but not a make or break.

3. Shinola Computer Brief - https://www.shinola.com/mens/leather/all/computer-brief-signature-leather.html#/color=Bourbon

Essentiallly the linjer but nicer. Hard pressed to pay double though. Not in brown. Small zipper.

4. Coach Metropolitan - http://www.coach.com/coach-metropolitan-brief-in-sport-calf-leather/54908.html?dwvar_color=QBCWH

This bag seemingly has it all. Somehow I just feel like I'm overpaying and not getting anywhere near the same quality. Something about buying coach...

Any ideas?

 

[razl]



2. La Portegna Carter - https://www.laportegna.com/carter-leather-briefcase-sol

What a gorgeous bag. Doesn't come in brown. Hate the handles. The cross body strap clip is a bit of a joke, but not a make or break.

Search for other retailers who carry La Portegna; I've definitely seen the Carter in other colors, like the Sol Brown that No Man Walks Alone has the Fat Carter in. Possibly that was then and this is now, but they definitely existed, oh, within the last 6 month's-ish. I think I saw it in black too but I could be wrong there...

 

[theoogle]

Search for other retailers who carry La Portegna; I've definitely seen the Carter in other colors, like the Sol Brown that No Man Walks Alone has the Fat Carter in. Possibly that was then and this is now, but they definitely existed, oh, within the last 6 month's-ish. I think I saw it in black too but I could be wrong there...

What about handles? Any chance they make the Carter with the Fat Carter handles? Those flat things look uncomfortable and like they won't age nearly as well as folded handles.

On another note, has anyone had any experience with Kanzek? This is not a bad looking bag: https://www.kanzek.com/collections/...-black-cognac-leather-laptop-briefcase-15inch

 

[razl]



What about handles? Any chance they make the Carter with the Fat Carter handles? Those flat things look uncomfortable and like they won't age nearly as well as folded handles.

Sorry, I missed the bit where you mentioned you hated those I haven't followed the Carter as closely as I have the Fat Carter (which I purchased last year from NMWA) so I really can't say and, yes, I agree with you, I much prefer the Fat Carter handles.

 

[vinouspleasure]

hello good professor, it seems to me you must have also come across some good wallets in your travels?

best,

 

[razl]

Got lucky watching the Sale thread and saw the Billykirk was having an online sample sale. With no intention other than to browse, I found one of these lingering at a steal of a price. Since I had been thinking about a Mismo shopper in a similar tan/linen configuration for quite a while, this was a perfect alternative. I actually like it quite better in that, intended as a laptop bag, it's actually lightly padded all around. It lacks a shoulder strap and I might have one added at a future point but other than that, I'm seriously happy with the purchase.

 

[NGOStudio]

There is so much great info in this thread

I knew about Linjer but could not fullly comprehend their talent until I've read more about them from you guys. By chance they make strolley or small luggage? Have anyone commisioned them to make you one?

What do you think would make a good man's strolley?

Sorry if I'm asking too much!

 

[FromToronto]

Just came back from Japan and brought back a couple of briefcase made from there.

1st one is from Herz. great quality veg tanned leather (easier to scratch), unique design. As far as I know the leather is sourced in Japan and their workshop is in the store so you can see all the bags being made. Cost was just over 700CAD. Only downside is it is easier to scratch (but i guess the scratches will smooth out over time?) and the interior doesn't have many pockets - pretty much just 1 pocket from end to end.

2nd one I got was from Pelle Morbida. Got it for just under $700CAD. Not sure quality and type of leather as their site is in Japanese and unfortunately the salespeople do not seems to understand my questions about whether the leather is veg tanned/full grain etc. The brand seems more like a designer brand as opposed to the Herz.

 

[Master-Classter]

Looks nice!