Man Bag
January 27, 2011 9:16 AM   Subscribe

Man Briefcase/Satchel: I'm looking for a bag which looks similar to a Mulberry Elkington. Can anyone recommend me something similar which won't break the bank. I'm looking at around £100-180/$150-240. I've had a look around and have been mainly unsuccessful because either the leather is too dark, big or it's far outside my budget. Room for my 13' Macbook Air, pad of paper and small folder is plenty. Shoulder strap and nice oaky brown coloured leather is a must. Thanks Hive!
posted by ashaw to Shopping (14 answers total) 4 users marked this as a favorite
 
Musto have done various leather bags/holdall/briefcases over the yeasr. This site has one for £150, for example (I have this one myself and I like it).
posted by biffa at 9:26 AM on January 27, 2011


knomobags
posted by modernnomad at 9:34 AM on January 27, 2011


Are you open to "gently used"? You could get an older (logo free!) Coach briefcase on eBay with a somewhat similar vibe, with a good price and pretty bombproof construction.
posted by kmennie at 9:37 AM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]


Custom Hide carries a classic briefcase.
posted by cazoo at 9:39 AM on January 27, 2011


Saddleback Leather
posted by Ad hominem at 10:04 AM on January 27, 2011


I'm in love with just about everything in this Etsy store and so is my husband. I haven't bought from them yet, so I don't know any more about them. They do seem to have a few bags that look similar to what you want.
posted by TooFewShoes at 10:05 AM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]


I bought my first briefcase from Leathertree.com, which has at least one or two models similar to what you're looking for and near your price range. Good luck!
posted by Hylas at 10:24 AM on January 27, 2011


I have been eyeing many options at Far Horizon Traders. Some of their items are cheaper on eBay. I haven't taken the plunge yet, though.
posted by Philbo at 10:31 AM on January 27, 2011


Ad hominem has it right. After going through several bags in several years, I finally turned to Saddleback Leather. It is the best choice in a bag. It wears like iron and looks great too! Take a look at their Customer Photographs from around the world.
posted by mfoight at 11:06 AM on January 27, 2011


At the cost of more than $500, a Saddleback Leather briefcase is a good example of what the OP called "far outside his budget."
posted by Nomyte at 11:37 AM on January 27, 2011 [1 favorite]


As TooFewShoes notes, Etsy has a lot of leathercrafters making very nice bags at various pricepoints. The likelihood of anyone else you know with the same bag is pretty slim if you go this route, too... exclusivity thru taste rather than cost.
posted by Slap*Happy at 12:02 PM on January 27, 2011


Take a look at blokesbags.
posted by primer_dimer at 2:17 AM on January 28, 2011


Not sure if you're in the UK but this guy has an outlet in Camden and does really beautiful minimalist leather bags similar to the Elkington. It's at the top of your price range but they last for ever (mine is 15 years old and looks new). Apparently he delivers worldwide too but it's always good to see the bags in person before buying. He'll also repair for free if anything goes wrong.
posted by chrispy at 3:10 AM on January 28, 2011


Saddleback does seconds, but it's pretty hit-and-miss: whatever is in the shop that day, essentially. Gorgeous stuff, though.
posted by wenestvedt at 9:05 AM on January 28, 2011


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