Slate Takes Work Bags Out for a Spin
13 Comments Published by Joel December 6th, 2006 in Clothes, Gadgets. Share This
Even before I moved to New York and often had to schlepp the entire contents of my desk around the city, I was a pretty big fan of bags. Not just big bags, either, but sleek little man purses and day packs. These days I’ve been able to pare down my gear to pocketable basics—keys, smartphone, wallet—but I still find myself in need of a good laptop bag that I can use when I still have to go mobile for extended periods of time.
Slate’s Seth Stevenson takes a half-dozen bags out for a spin, with prices ranging from sub-$100 up to half a grand—too rich for my taste by far, and from the sound of it not always worth it.
What I want is seemingly simple: A brown bag, just big enough to hold a Macbook Pro, made of a leather that is stiff enough to retain its shape when I stand it, unladened, on end. The “thin” part seems to be the problem. Brown leather bags with shoulder straps abound, but they tend to be given to extra padding or pockets, neither of which I really need. I need something that looks sharp when paired with a suit, but not pretentious when worn with street wear. (The very thing at which brown leather excels.)
Which work bag works best? [Slate]
I’ve noticed that the simpler, elegant bags, like the ideal you’re describing, are easiest to find in Italy. Their style lends itself to well-made leather messengers. I’ve seen a lot from there, and my girlfriend has exactly the bag you’re talking about. I’ll probably marry her just so I can have dual-custody of the bag.
Ding Ding Ding! That is exactly what I’ve been looking for for a long time.
I found this bag online during my search. It’s a tad rustic because it’s hand-sewn. For the money, I think it’s great.
http://www.renaissance-art.com/Prod139/Product.aspx
Just need to start saving my money.
Forget how well it works; where are some cute, patterned laptop sleeves that fit a 13″?
What, no love for the Timbuk2 bags in that article? I’ve been a proponent of their messenger bags for years. Recently though (as I’m re-entering the private sector again) I’ve begun to bag shop again. In doing so I’ve noticed that Timbuk2’s designs have seem to age along with their original consumers. Not only do they have innovative designs for their laptop bags but their new single speed line has some very nice suedes that caught my eye. What can I say, when I find I company I like its good to know that their style evolves as I ‘mature’. Or mature as much as I can that is.
Doh! Cotton not suede. I should watch my wine intake.
I feel your pain. Slim, brown leather bags are hard to find. Especially those of decent quality and moderate price. I did have some luck with a German company called Shalimar though. The retro 40’s “Bogart” model is particularly slick.
http://stores.ebay.com/SHALIMAR-LEDERWAREN-OUTLET-STORE
Dude, I understand completely where you’re going with that brown leather = not pretentious thing. A lot of people are trying to go there too – and unlike you a lot of these people *are* pretentious. And that’s okay. The thing that makes New Yorkers so beautiful is that not matter what tyey were born with or where (and who) they are from, godammit, they make a fucking effort!
Besides – and it totally makes you gay, but you know I’m down with that – I know what you’re really trying to do is just find a bag to match those boots:
http://dethroner.com/index.php/2006/09/28/dapper-or-crapper-harness-boots/
i have a bag by overland that sounds like it fits the bill nicely- stiff unpadded leather, the width of a macbook, but not so large you’ll hit people on the subway. it was a gift, so i’ll try to find out where they got it.
For those of you in Milwaukee (I’m guessing a select few) or even Chicago, there is a place call Mitchell Leather, run by Jerry Mitchell, in the Third Ward. Jerry custom makes briefcases and other bags with extremely high quality leather, and I believe that, while it’s relatively pricey (about $400, I think), the quality is absolutely worthwile. I got a briefcase there for graduation, and it is by far the best bag imaginable. Starting with the fact that I could pick out the EXACT cut of leather I wanted for the outside, I was also able to pick out the size of the bag, number of pockets, color of the metal, etc. And the leather is absolutely the most buttery soft I’ve seen. I’m not sure if he’s still in business, but if so, he’s worth looking at.
Honestly I can’t stand the look of slim laptop only messengers. Man bags are just purses with out the name(wherefore art thou man bag? A purse by any other name would be just as ….. efeminate). I come from the school of though that if you’re going to wear something over your shoulder it should be able to cary stuff… it doesn’t have to be full all the time but. maybe I’m a tad biased being 6′2 275, but thin bags carried in hand or over shoulder just looks too feminine. I recently bought a breifcase for work (I’m a lawyer), and I have to say I love the line from Kenneth Cole. Reasonably priced, and dueable and damn good looking.
http://www.amazon.com/Kenneth-Cole-Briefcases-Leather-Flap-py/dp/B000GBXD66
When I required a brown leather messenger bag, I actually too a ruler with me to ensure a perfect, snug fit for the 15″ Mac Book Pro.
I found exactly what I was looking for:
http://www.celestialmechanics.com/avatar/bag1.jpg
http://www.celestialmechanics.com/avatar/bag2.jpg
These were at Wilsons Leather for about $200. I got a scuffed up one for $100, and I’ve since seen them on clearance for $90.
found it! it’s the “new yorker” by overland.
http://www.overland.com/scripts/ecatalogisapi.dll/Item?Item=116731&Template=9990000001002089&Group=456
i agree with the comment about Italian bags. i got mine from a little store that makes handmade leather goods, and it’s perfect. slim, minimalist, and can easily be dressed up or down.