Shopping for a Briefcase

[alison]

I recently bought a Swiss Army briefcase and it just isn't working out.
I need something a bit more dressy (doesn't have to be leather) and with compartments that make sense for what I do. I teach, so I've got textbooks, papers, gradebook and odds and ends like bulky overhead pens, some chalk, etc. I am also writing my dissertation, so there's got to be space for my own paperwork. Oh, and I commute by public transportation. So space for my ipod, a small lunch, an easily accessible spot for keys and a safe place for my wallet are also necessary.

Anybody have any suggestions? The budget is $350.

I'm little. 5' tall. So it can't be a big hurking bag... No wheels either...

[DCJenn]

Have you checked with the yuppie/crunchy sites? Territory Ahead, LL Bean and Land's End?

Jenn

A Tumi bag would probably be right around your budget. I agree with Jenn' suggestion too.

[alison]

Tumi... 8) I was thinking Tumi right after I typed my post last night.

I'm going to check out Lands End and the others you mentioned. That brought to mind Eddie Bauer too. I should check those out.

DH has had a Tumi bag not quite two years and loves it. It's not leather (not sure of the fabric?) but it is holding up well and looks near new. He is really hard on those sorts of things and I'm amazed by how it looks.

[alison]

What about Coach? I think I'll be too afraid to take the thing on the bus, but as far as an investment....?

Dh hates it when I tell him about X,Y or Z being an investment and therefore I need to spend a little more!

There are Coach outlet stores and you might be able to get a better price that way. I've had 2 Coach purses, both for 5 years or so, that held up really well. Their briefcases are really nice looking.

A non-leather bag might be more stealth on the bus. If you could find one that comes in a regluar or slim size, and still be able to get all your stuff in the slim, that would make it a better fit.

[alison]

You're right about the Coach Outlet stores. Today, dh and I were going to go look for a bag (but if you look in Bad Days, you'll see how that idea got nixed). The Swiss Army bags look nice and they have a nice non-leather line, but there's something odd about the one I've got... It's heavy even when it's empty! And I've got to walk a good 8 blocks to my bus!

My stuff takes a good wear and tear. I don't really want to see what happens to leather in the rain and snow. I think I should stick to nylon.

I'll keep hunting.

I carried a leather briefcase (not Coach) and I think the rain and snow exposure was greater than what a purse gets and did take its toll. I would usually tuck my purse under my briefcase so it didn't get the same weather exposure. It wasn't horribly damaging but probably not so great for it either.

[Stella]

I love Coach. They last for ages. Hype makes cute, durable things. Microfiber would be good as well if you don't go leather.

[DCJenn]

The nice thing about Coach is that they'll fix your bag for it's entire life. I have a tote and the handles frayed- went online got the information popped it into the mail and a few weeks later I had new handles. My friend had her Coach breifcase completely retooled. Looked like a brand new bag when she got it back. I know most of the expensive leather goods manufacturers will do that.

I have several Coach bags and they last forever. The weather thing doesn't seem to bother them too much, if you condition the leather every now and again.

Jenn

[alison]

Ok, there's good news and bad news.

Bad news: I found a bag. It costs around $1000. Ghurka (http://www.ghurka.com). My dad has had one of their briefcases since I was little (so close to 30 years) and I loved it because when I saw it on the bench in our front hallway it meant that he was home. I'm attached to his briefcase for some odd reason... Is that strange?
So, Dh and I looked at Ghurka bags today and I saw the one I want...

Good news : I found a bag. We can't afford it. But I've pretty much decided that I only want the Ghurka and it's not thaaaat urgent. Money saved! Suze Orman would be proud.

*drool*
Those are cool. Did you see the sale section on the website?

[Bittersweet]

Those bags are beyond beautiful. Great, now I want one too.

oh my goodness. those are bags I DID NOT need to know existed. I'm DROOLING over the "charter" ... and it's ON SALE!!! Oy vey. It's beautiful.