Nailing the brief (case)

From the plain to the pretentious, your briefcase can say a lot about you and your attitude. We look at five very different cases that will amplify your attaché acumen

From the plain to the pretentious, your briefcase can say a lot about you and your attitude. We look at five very different cases on offer

BACK WHEN YOU were a frat boy, you’d think nothing of clumsily slinging a backpack across your suit as you’d hop between office meetings. But you’ve come a long way since and now have a six-figure salary, a decent expense account and are in your prime. You’re bounding from a first-class lounge to corner cabin office with a sense of confidence that comes only once you’ve hit the big time.

There are several accessories that can hint at your position in the social pecking order – monogrammed cufflinks, burnished brogues and bespoke suits, are just some of them. There’s one more accessory though that you absolutely need – a briefcase.

From leather and carbon-fibre to fabric and even wicker, there are several options for a briefcase. Here are a few that can up your office game several notches.

tuMi CFX Coleford Briefcase | Dhs7,320

There are days when you’re going to take some fire for the decisions you’ve made ( just ask Mark Zuckerberg). But walking into a boardroom, or even a Senate hearing for that matter, with this carbon- fibre briefcase signals a state of mind that isn’t going to end up as mush the moment the questions get tough. A wet infusion process means that the carbon, although tough, has been softened so that even when it takes a few knocks, it won’t crack – much like you.

Berluti Un Jour Mini Leather Briefcase | Dhs10,900

If you’re well organised and not one to stuff your bag silly, this Un Jour Mini ( Un Jour roughly translated to ‘ one day’) is ideal. There are flat pockets on the outside and enough space inside to throw in a laptop and a few folders too. Bonus points to you if you’re wearing tan Berluti Oxfords when carrying this briefcase.

Paul SMith Textured Leather Folio Case | Dhs2,993

If you’re looking for safe and conventional ( read: boring), you’d better look the other way. Paul Smith is never one to make demure statements. Case in point: This flaming red briefcase that is going to get you much attention the moment you enter the room. The embossed pattern on it is inspired by the façade of the No. 9 Albemarle Street, the brand’s global flagship store. With dual-zipper fastening and a spacious multi- compartment interior, it’s as functional as it is stylish.

Montroi Warfield Single | Dhs4,950

Montroi positions itself as an itinerant brand that’s specifically targeting well- heeled travellers. If your business day requires you to start with a working breakfast in Mumbai and end with a networking dinner in Dubai, Montroi is the brand that will speak to you. Its products, like this Warfield Single briefcase, are handmade in Spain and Italy. The artwork on it is also applied by hand and is heavily influenced by countries in the East, especially India, while the brand is headquartered in Dubai. A global affair indeed.

Montblanc Meisterstück Soft Grain Document Case Slim | Dhs3,380

Montblanc doesn’t take the Meisterstück nomenclature, which was first used in 1924 for a fountain pen, lightly. It is reserved exclusively for its top- of- the- pyramid collection. Making its way to a briefcase like this one means Montblanc has pulled out all the stops to ensure that this document case is crafted from the finest Italian full- grain cowhide. Inside, there’s room for a few folders, a laptop, a mobile and three writing instruments – one of which we’ll take for granted will be a Meisterstuck pen that you’ll whip out when signing on the dotted line of a deal.