Briefcase Handle Types | Twin Handle Grip
The twin handle briefcase grip is characterized by two small handles that come together at the top of the briefcase to form one sturdy handle. This briefcase is common among entry level briefcases and becomes less commen as the price range increases. The advantage of these types of briefcases is that a zipper across the top allows you easy access to the contents on the move, in addition to the fact that you can move around easily with the briefcase unzipped and not worry about the contents falling out. Mobile and efficent, makes it a popular choice among most individuals.
The major problem with the twin handle grip is the requirement to fish the handle from both sides before you are able to carry it properly. This problem is further exacerbated by longer handles, which you would then need both hands to gather the handle at the top before you can grip it properly. The nature of how the handles hang and bounce on each side when used with a shoulder strap makes this bag slightly less professional when compared to the other handle types. As formentioned, as the prices increase, manufacturers go for a more professional look, resulting in the twin handle grip to become more rare.
Overall, it is a common grip and you can't go wrong with the functionality of easey access. Just realize the requirement to gather the handle at the top before you can carry it properly, the convenience just isn't there.
The major problem with the twin handle grip is the requirement to fish the handle from both sides before you are able to carry it properly. This problem is further exacerbated by longer handles, which you would then need both hands to gather the handle at the top before you can grip it properly. The nature of how the handles hang and bounce on each side when used with a shoulder strap makes this bag slightly less professional when compared to the other handle types. As formentioned, as the prices increase, manufacturers go for a more professional look, resulting in the twin handle grip to become more rare.
Overall, it is a common grip and you can't go wrong with the functionality of easey access. Just realize the requirement to gather the handle at the top before you can carry it properly, the convenience just isn't there.
Briefcase Handle Type Series
At this blog we advocate that a briefcase should compliment your appearance, but it is important that it also compliments your lifestyle and meets your functionality needs. This article discusses the finer points of briefcase selection with the consideration of the handle type. Although it is largely preference oriented, it is one of the first things my colleagues and I consider when filtering through briefcases. Lets discuss why by starting a series on Briefcase Handle Types.
I understand that this may seem like an unworthy concern if you are not familiar with briefcase handle types, but I assure you that once you are enlightened by the practical differences you will be able to choose a far more suitable briefcase. If you are spending a few hundred dollars on a briefcase, make sure it is the right one.
I understand that this may seem like an unworthy concern if you are not familiar with briefcase handle types, but I assure you that once you are enlightened by the practical differences you will be able to choose a far more suitable briefcase. If you are spending a few hundred dollars on a briefcase, make sure it is the right one.
Briefcase Types | Portfolios
Rounding out the briefcase types you would see in the office is the portfolio. While they are rarely seen in the usualy modern workplace, the portfolio is always used when required, rather than a nice-to-have.
Portfolios are meant for holding larger prints or canvases for easy transport and viewing. They are always thin with two handles on the top for easy mobility. As mentioned before, they really only serve one purpose as the transport of large oversized printouts and artwork.
If you are in the rare situation where you need to work with oversized pieces of work, you should already own a suitable portfolio.
Portfolios are meant for holding larger prints or canvases for easy transport and viewing. They are always thin with two handles on the top for easy mobility. As mentioned before, they really only serve one purpose as the transport of large oversized printouts and artwork.
If you are in the rare situation where you need to work with oversized pieces of work, you should already own a suitable portfolio.
Briefcase Types | Padfolio, Portability with Style
Padfolios are the smallest type of briefcase available to the modern business professional. Padfolios are similar to portfolios but smaller in size and usually without the top handle. The result is a very clean and simple professional looking carrying case for your notebook, business cards and other items you might bring to your office meeting.
I find most people use a slim padfolio in conjunction with a larger briefcase in the workplace. The wisdom is that the larger briefcase is used to carry the bulk of the goods, and the padfolio is taken to meetings. By using a padfolio, even when bringing documents, your first contact with attendees is clean and professional.
While it is not required, it is certainly a nice touch to compliment your professionalism in the workplace.
I find most people use a slim padfolio in conjunction with a larger briefcase in the workplace. The wisdom is that the larger briefcase is used to carry the bulk of the goods, and the padfolio is taken to meetings. By using a padfolio, even when bringing documents, your first contact with attendees is clean and professional.
While it is not required, it is certainly a nice touch to compliment your professionalism in the workplace.
Briefcase Selection | Minor Pet Peeves
As a briefcase connoisseur, I spend quite a bit on a briefcase that I thought was perfect, until I started using it. Everyone has their own preferences. So before purchasing a briefcase for a few hundred dollars, I strongly advise that you read reviews on the product. I came across a website that reviews briefcases for men with the consideration of the smaller quirks rather than simply listing the features. Here are some things that you might not have considered when looking for a briefcase.
Top Handle
I like to pick up the briefcase and move. When travelling I found myself extremely disliking the type of briefcase that have two handles on either side of the briefcase to be held together. What ends up happening is that you need to fish the handle from either side before being able to properly move around with the briefcase.
Shoulder Strap
While the shoulder strap is important for longer trips, I prefer the strap to be adjustable and removable. In the office environment, I view the strap dangling from the briefcase as sloppy and always remove the strap when I want to dress up my appearance.
Zippers
Certain briefcases have extremely deep zippers that go far down the side. The result of this is easy access to the full depth of the bag. The unwarrented side effect is that it is difficult to unzip the briefcase with one hand, as well as making it difficult to quickly pull something from the briefcase.
Buckles
Depending on the construction, certain straps and buckles for flapover briefcases click when walking or jostled. The effect is more obvious when used with a strap, but this is a difficult issue to identify prior to buying the bag.
Overall, I highly recommend the site I mentioned before. I found one of the briefcases I personally own on there and many of their comments are quite valid.
Top Handle
I like to pick up the briefcase and move. When travelling I found myself extremely disliking the type of briefcase that have two handles on either side of the briefcase to be held together. What ends up happening is that you need to fish the handle from either side before being able to properly move around with the briefcase.
Shoulder Strap
While the shoulder strap is important for longer trips, I prefer the strap to be adjustable and removable. In the office environment, I view the strap dangling from the briefcase as sloppy and always remove the strap when I want to dress up my appearance.
Zippers
Certain briefcases have extremely deep zippers that go far down the side. The result of this is easy access to the full depth of the bag. The unwarrented side effect is that it is difficult to unzip the briefcase with one hand, as well as making it difficult to quickly pull something from the briefcase.
Buckles
Depending on the construction, certain straps and buckles for flapover briefcases click when walking or jostled. The effect is more obvious when used with a strap, but this is a difficult issue to identify prior to buying the bag.
Overall, I highly recommend the site I mentioned before. I found one of the briefcases I personally own on there and many of their comments are quite valid.
Value Proposition | Do You Need a briefcase?
Lets take a break from our miniseries and consider the question of whether or not you really need a briefcase in the workplace. The purpose of the briefcase is usually seen to be a tool or bag to perform the function of helping them carry things to and from the office. However, while this does satisfy the definition of a briefcase, it does not consider the hidden and intrinsic benefits of owning a quality briefcase.
The common theme in business is to dress for success. Putting your best foot forward and dressing appropriately out of respect for your job, colleagues and clients is strong and very current theme in the modern world. A briefcase should compliment your appearance and project professionalism to the people around you. All too often I see colleagues and client walk in with a stack of papers in folders and it just looks sloppy.
Consider how you might spend on clothes and how much they are actually used throughout the year. The value proposition for a briefcase is better than clothing simply because the briefcase costs a bit more, but is used 5 days a week. I believe that working professionals lose sight of the value consideration that a briefcase offers.
Make sure you are presenting yourself in the best light possible and propell your first impressions to the next level by ensuring that you have a briefcase to complete your professional appearance.
BRIEFCASE TYPES | Attaché, Exude Style and Class
Rounding out the next bag out of our miniseries is the Attaché Briefcase, a rectangular box-like briefcase used often by the modern professional. Due to the angular shape and clean features of this type of briefcase, it always used for individuals who want the functionality of the space and the professional image it projects.
Attachés are the largest type of briefcase, generally separated into a top and bottom compartment. The top compartment often has a section for files and stationary usually found in the front pouch of a typical briefcase. This separation keeps your documentation organized and clean when opened. Unfortunately the bottom portion is less structured and you may find yourself with messed up paperwork if you have too much stray documents. Like the Attaché you see in the picture, most are expandable by up to one inch.
The most common concern for most attachés in the modern world is the inability to carry your laptop in the same briefcase. Unfortunately, the bottom compartment rarely offers a secure way to hold your laptop. While you can easily fit the laptop inside, it will not remain fixed and will shift the weight of the briefcase back and forth when moved around. Since the function of the attaché is not for laptop carrying, there is not enough padding to protect the device from jostling or sudden impact. Unfortunately, carrying the requirement of a laptop is quite common these days so most professionals opt for a briefcase that has sufficient accommodations for a laptop.
The attaché is the traditional briefcase that exudes style and class. Look at the picture below, it has an absolutely gorgeous interior. If you want something clean and professional, getting an attaché case is definitely a safe bet. If you don't require the functionality of carrying a laptop around, a good attaché is always impressive and you will definitely receive a lot of compliments.
Attachés are the largest type of briefcase, generally separated into a top and bottom compartment. The top compartment often has a section for files and stationary usually found in the front pouch of a typical briefcase. This separation keeps your documentation organized and clean when opened. Unfortunately the bottom portion is less structured and you may find yourself with messed up paperwork if you have too much stray documents. Like the Attaché you see in the picture, most are expandable by up to one inch.
The most common concern for most attachés in the modern world is the inability to carry your laptop in the same briefcase. Unfortunately, the bottom compartment rarely offers a secure way to hold your laptop. While you can easily fit the laptop inside, it will not remain fixed and will shift the weight of the briefcase back and forth when moved around. Since the function of the attaché is not for laptop carrying, there is not enough padding to protect the device from jostling or sudden impact. Unfortunately, carrying the requirement of a laptop is quite common these days so most professionals opt for a briefcase that has sufficient accommodations for a laptop.
The attaché is the traditional briefcase that exudes style and class. Look at the picture below, it has an absolutely gorgeous interior. If you want something clean and professional, getting an attaché case is definitely a safe bet. If you don't require the functionality of carrying a laptop around, a good attaché is always impressive and you will definitely receive a lot of compliments.
Briefcase Types | Messenger Bags for work
Wanted to start a miniseries to discuss the finer points of briefcase selection. The first briefcase type is the messenger bag.
While largely dependant on the work environment that you are in, the messenger bag is generally considered to be relatively casual and dressed down. If you find yourself at a corporate job in the average office setting, bring a messenger bag will dress down your appearance significantly.
The question most people ask is whether or not a bag is too casual for work. I believe the correct question is: how professional can my bag be? Your goal for the briefcase is to find one that compliments your work attire. Messenger bags, especially the lighter colors, are extremely unprofessional in nature and rarely compliment a man in a dress shirt and dress pants.
Of course there are a few exceptions if you insist on a messenger bag. The Kenneth Cole Reaction line has quite a few high quality bags that are a good balance of formal and casual. The key point is that the strap is detachable, allowing you to dress up your appearance by simply removing the strap. Additionally, if you are looking to remain professional with a messenger bag, try to get one that has a top handle.
Overall, messenger bags are usually used by individuals who are on the move often. These individuals are usually students or entry level positions. Your goal in the corporate environemnt is to put your best foot forward and dress and accessorize to project the appearance of where you want your career to be headed. While it is unlikely your briefcase will be the deciding factor in a fight for a promotion, it will definitely add to your professional image.
Consider for a moment if a briefcase would add value to your career. Is it worth it for a bit of convenience for a messenger bag?
While largely dependant on the work environment that you are in, the messenger bag is generally considered to be relatively casual and dressed down. If you find yourself at a corporate job in the average office setting, bring a messenger bag will dress down your appearance significantly.
The question most people ask is whether or not a bag is too casual for work. I believe the correct question is: how professional can my bag be? Your goal for the briefcase is to find one that compliments your work attire. Messenger bags, especially the lighter colors, are extremely unprofessional in nature and rarely compliment a man in a dress shirt and dress pants.
Of course there are a few exceptions if you insist on a messenger bag. The Kenneth Cole Reaction line has quite a few high quality bags that are a good balance of formal and casual. The key point is that the strap is detachable, allowing you to dress up your appearance by simply removing the strap. Additionally, if you are looking to remain professional with a messenger bag, try to get one that has a top handle.
Overall, messenger bags are usually used by individuals who are on the move often. These individuals are usually students or entry level positions. Your goal in the corporate environemnt is to put your best foot forward and dress and accessorize to project the appearance of where you want your career to be headed. While it is unlikely your briefcase will be the deciding factor in a fight for a promotion, it will definitely add to your professional image.
Consider for a moment if a briefcase would add value to your career. Is it worth it for a bit of convenience for a messenger bag?
Introduction | Website Purpose
As a senior manager, coming back from a big business meeting and having an opportunity to observe colleagues that I have only worked with over email and a phone, there was a lot of first impressions. I noticed something critical between upper management and mid management, their briefcase.
I believe that briefcase selection is a lost art and that it is critical in your personal and professional growth.
I gaurantee that the income difference between mid and upper management is not great enough that disposal income is main factor in briefcase selection. Even if price was a concern, there are classy and professional briefcases in the lower ranges that can be found. Bringing a backpack or messenger bag really sends a bad first impression.
This blog is to document my methods and criteria when selecting a bag.
I believe that briefcase selection is a lost art and that it is critical in your personal and professional growth.
I gaurantee that the income difference between mid and upper management is not great enough that disposal income is main factor in briefcase selection. Even if price was a concern, there are classy and professional briefcases in the lower ranges that can be found. Bringing a backpack or messenger bag really sends a bad first impression.
This blog is to document my methods and criteria when selecting a bag.