Accessorize this guy. Business-style
December 26, 2014 3:08 PM   Subscribe

I need to upgrade my style as I move into more of a managerial role. Help please with a business card holder, padfolio, and briefcase.

I work in the County government/nonprofit sector and need to upgrade my business accessories as I move into more of a managerial role. I have been using a Timbuk2 Commuter messenger bag, leather padfolio purchased at Staples or equivalent, and a leather business card holder (all items in black) from Nordstrom Rack. I don't work in a particularly fancy field but I do interact with a lot of nonprofit Executive Directors and folks at higher levels of local government so I don't want to be too casual. I don't want anything in black, I'll go with brown or something else neutral. I'm thinking leather for the padfolio and business card case and canvas, twill, or something for the briefcase.

Business card holder - I'm looking for something thin. No, thinner than that. I ordered a Saddleback push up style case but it is too chunky. This is just going to hold business cards, not credit cards. I have looked at this AllEtt Option but I have no experience with the company. I'm not interested in the metal varieties.

Padfolio - I have only ever seen, in person, the leather ones from office supply stores or plastic company branded versions. Leather padfolios that look fancier online have a price premium. I like the look of the Saddleback option but now I'm worried it would be too chunky for me. I'm also interested in any sort of non-leather options if the material is pleasing or at least not irritating. H

Briefcase - I like the aesthetic of the Filson Original briefcase and I will probably go with something along those lines. What color should I get? Are there other bag options other than leather briefcases that I should consider?

I'm usually the type of person who uses something until it falls apart or preferably forever. Rough cost maximums per item are: briefcase $350, card holder $50, padfolio $75. Less expensive is better but I'd rather buy quality than save money in the short term.
posted by fieldtrip to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (8 answers total)
 
Hi -- if these things are actually status signifiers in your world, exhibited by good executive level role-models, God bless, but if not ... you're on the wrong track.

In my modest way I am, and I have certainly spent a lot of time with, executives in a lot of different disciplines around the US and Europe, and none of these things you identify are executive signifiers anymore. A leather messenger bag with laptop pocket is more than nice enough; plenty of senior executives happily tote backpacks stuffed with chargers and cables these days. Business cards come in and out of wallets. 99 cent pads bought in bulk at Staples are the thing, naked of padfolios; a lot of people are just whipping out iPads or convertible laptops to take notes these days.

Status signifiers are a nice watch with some heft if you're a man, tasteful but clearly nice jewelry if you're a woman, and good clothes regardless of the dress code. (A nice suit is easy to do; a high quality and crisply starched dress shirt over a nice pair of slacks with great shoes signifies even better in a business-casual environment.)
posted by MattD at 4:28 PM on December 26, 2014 [6 favorites]


Most everyone I know is using tablets, evernote, and whatever messenger bag they got free at the last conference. I'm talking CEO's and captains of industry.

For years, I worked with C-level executives, I have a leatherette 'pad-folio' (is that really what they're called?) It's got an embossed AT&T on it, and it has a slot for business cards. I still use it. Mostly though, I used a pad of graph paper, spiral bound at the top, for notes and diagrams. Looks engineery.

Let your work speak for yourself, you don't need slightly fancier accessories. Just don't have a wallet that has velcro on it and you're golden.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 4:54 PM on December 26, 2014 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: Wow, I'm not getting the responses that I expected nor wanted. Please only comment if you have an example of an item that I mentioned that you particularly like that meets the qualities I mentioned.

If, in your world, using a free giveaway padfolio (yes, that is what it is called. Alternatively, notebook cover) works for you, awesome. I'm looking for something nicer and in the semi-rural county that I work in It is totally appropriate. It is a very conservative area and might be a good 30 years behind the rest of the world. I probably should have framed this differently.
posted by fieldtrip at 5:05 PM on December 26, 2014 [1 favorite]


Best answer: I live in a conservative state (largest city though). People in more traditional companies or businesses would absolutely carry such items.

I think oxblood or black would be lovely for the briefcase.
posted by heathrowga at 5:10 PM on December 26, 2014 [1 favorite]


Best answer: levenger.com
posted by harrietthespy at 6:39 PM on December 26, 2014 [1 favorite]


Best answer: Many items at Levenger have customer reviews and their return policy is excellent.
posted by harrietthespy at 6:40 PM on December 26, 2014


Best answer: I'd go for brown or another earth tone, since those colors will more readily match whatever you happen to be wearing. I did a quick search on Etsy and found a lot of things well within your price range. Some of the padfolios and business card holders can even be monogrammed. You might also impress by purchasing items that are made in the USA. Check out Frost River, Duluth Pack, or any of the companies on the American List. Ernest Alexander has a nice sale on until December 31, and this one, while it may not be your style, is made in Colorado, which may be near where you are.

Finally, buy your briefcase before you get a card holder: many briefcases have a small pocket for business cards, so you may not need a separate holder at all.
posted by amicus at 8:48 PM on December 26, 2014


Best answer: Coach men's bags are less clunky than Saddleback, and probably meet your aesthetic. You can meet your price points on eBay.

Have you heard of Put This On? You should go ahead and watch all of the videos if you haven't already.
posted by oceanjesse at 7:53 AM on December 27, 2014


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