The Best Briefcases for Dapper Professionals

by Catherine Baecker-Khoury, April 12, 2015

Having the right briefcase is one of the best ways to say you mean business without having to say anything at all.

But what exactly is the ‘right’ briefcase? It’s handy to think of it in terms of ‘right for your needs’ but in general a briefcase should nail it in an office environment, with a certain sense of status and professionalism to it. Rectangular shapes are best for accommodating documents and laptops, while the level of organization should satisfy the specific work tools you need to carry.

Our buyer’s guide of the best briefcases provides a curated selection of cases to suit a range of budgets and needs…

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Incase City Brief

Incase’s City Brief provides plenty of urban-friendly styling and handy work features at a price that won’t break the bank. The 15-inch laptop compartment has a soft fleece lining and 360-degree padding to protect your tech. Quick-access pockets on the outside of the bag store items you need to get to in a hurry and carrying options include a removable strap and grab handles that can be stowed out of sight when not in use.

Tom Bihn Daylight Briefcase

Tom Bihn’s Daylight Briefcase is wallet-friendly and packed full of convenient features such as a key strap, O-rings, interior and external pockets and a removable shoulder strap. Large enough to accommodate a 13-inch laptop, the Daylight Briefcase is lightweight and rollable, making it a handy option for taking on trips where you want the flexibility of a business bag that works in non-business settings too.

BLC Intellect

A number of South Korean brands are doing awesome things with carry and BLC is one of them. Taking inspiration from a book, BLC’s Intellect bag merges style and structure, providing easy access to the contents in a form that can be carried both horizontally and vertically.

Topo Designs Mountain Briefcase

You’re always on the go, equally at home on a board and in the boardroom, and need a bag that can keep up. Topo’s Mountain Briefcase is that bag. It’s got everything you’d expect from a good piece of work carry – tough construction that will stand up to extensive use, exterior and interior pocketing for your work tools and a padded section for your laptop. However, it also includes three carry options. Sling it over your shoulder with the removable shoulder strap, grab it by the handles or wear it as a backpack thanks to the stowable pack straps.

Booq Cobra Brief

The Cobra Brief’s frill-free exterior gives the bag a clean look that complements a range of settings, from the coffee shop to a client meeting. There’s lots of organization options here, with a bright lining to enhance visibility of the contents and a padded laptop section to keep your 15-inch laptop safe and secure. The detachable shoulder strap comes in handy when you’re on the move and the luggage pass-through on the back makes it a cinch to keep your gear together when you’re zipping through airports.

Zero Halliburton Attache

Zero Halliburton’s range of attache cases are a striking combination of sleek styling and rugged construction. With aluminium, polycarbonate and carbon options in a variety of colorways, these cases provide superior protection for the contents – and look damn fine doing so.

Filson 72 Hour Briefcase with charger

Filson are known for their hard-wearing gear and this briefcase is no exception. Rugged construction using oil finish Tin Cloth, a selection of interior and exterior pockets and a luggage strap on the back of the briefcase are just some of the handy features. Then Filson ups the functionality with an integrated Joey charger so your devices can stay juiced while you’re on the go. Missing that important phone call is a thing of the past now.

Jack Spade Waxwear Base Brief

Functionality meets clean aesthetics with this brief. Constructed out of waxed cotton canvas with a leather base and leather-wrapped handles, the Waxwear Base Brief can slide between casual and more formal business settings with ease. A range of pocketing on the inside and exterior of the bag keeps your tech, pens, cards and other daily work items in order so you can get on with business..

KILLSPENCER Briefcase 2.0

If it’s sharp city looks you’re after, KILLSPENCER’s Briefcase 2.0 fits the bill. Available in a choice of materials, the bag’s sleek silhouette keeps things stylish during the commute, at work, in the airport and during leisure hours. The hardware is solid, with Cobra buckles and a Riri zipper, and a mix of internal and external pockets accommodate your work gear, including a 15-inch laptop.

Tumi Alpha 2 Expandable Organizer Laptop Brief

This bag is another great option if you’re looking for something that can handle your work carry along with a change of clothes. There’s plenty of organization options, with exterior pockets, separate internal sections and a removable laptop sleeve that fits a 15-inch laptop. When you need to pack a bit more in, whether it’s a busy day at the office or an overnight trip, the main compartment can be expanded to provide an extra two inches in depth.

Linjer Soft Briefcase

Linjer was born from the desire to provide fine leather goods that don’t come with the luxury markup as standard. The materials and craftsmanship of the Soft Briefcase are top-notch, with a pared-back minimalist style that beautifully showcases the full-grain vegetable-tanned leather. Carry it with the grab handles or removable shoulder strap, while keeping your daily work essentials organized in the range of pocketing which includes a padded section for a 15-inch laptop.

Tailfeather Kestrel

Luxurious top grain leather and careful hand stitching make for one handsome piece of carry. Combine this with a top that folds open for easy access, brass feet for self-standing stability, internal pockets and a choice of sizes to fit 13-inch and 15-inch laptops and you’re onto a winner in any work setting.

Seventy Eight Percent Dimitri

The Dimitri’s contrasting materials – vegetable-tanned Italian leather and Japanese cotton canvas – give the bag great visual appeal. However, there’s plenty of functionality too with space for pens, documents, a 15-inch laptop and other small items you may need, along with a detachable shoulder strap. If you want a slim and eye-catching briefcase for minimalist work carry, this is a fine choice.

Oppermann London Palissy

Sometimes you want the suave style of a briefcase but the capacity of an overnight bag. Meet the Palissy. This beautifully understated bag has the stylish looks and functionality of a briefcase, with pockets for your work tools and a padded laptop compartment. However, there’s enough space for a change of clothes too, making this a great option for overnight business trips or just hitting the gym after work..

Mismo Wessel

If you’ve got a passion for the sea and quality materials, the Wessel is sure to float your boat. Taking its name from Danish-Norwegian naval officer Peter Jansen Wessel, the bag features a lamella construction referencing sailboat construction. The full-grain vegetable-tanned leather will only look better the more you use it, while the interior pockets keep your work tools tidy.

Parabellum Briefcase

Gorgeous free-range Bison leather, a soft suede lining, military-grade ceramic hardware and superior construction make the Parabellum Briefcase a thing of beauty. A choice of external and internal pockets provide organization, while the removable shoulder strap lets you swap between briefcase and shoulder bag carry as required. Yes it’s pricey, but nothing says “boss” quite like it.

*Editor’s Note: Oppermann London has now rebranded to Carl Friedrik.