Leather briefcase under $250?
November 13, 2024 9:24 AM   Subscribe

I really like the Fossil Asher leather briefcase but $395 is out of my price range. Can MeFites recommend a similar brown leather briefcase that is under $250? I would like to buy from a company that pays workers fairly and has safe working conditions. Leather alternatives are fine. (Unfortunately, MeFi favorite Tom Bihn is a little too casual for my work environment(s).)
posted by capricorn to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (8 answers total)
 
There are similar Fossil briefcases on Poshmark, as well as other high end brands, would you consider second hand?
posted by stray at 9:31 AM on November 13, 2024 [1 favorite]


Second hand is a good idea. You can also check shopgoodwill.com. That's where I found my Wilson Leather briefcase, which was still new, for $25. I've been happy with it. It is pretty worn now, after more than 5 years of daily use, but can't complain!

Wilson Leather appears to be having a sale now (though I think they may have sales often). The ones they have are different than the one I have. Link to Wilson Leather website.
posted by bruinfan at 9:42 AM on November 13, 2024 [2 favorites]


A consideration: I have, over the years, cheaped out on things that have ended up lasting me for years. When I look back on these purchases, I regret that decision and wish that I'd spent a little more. Sometimes I'll end up buying the better item, spending both the cheap amount and the expensive amount.

$395 is $145 more than your $250 cut-off. If there are 260 working days in a year, you're talking a year of $.56 workday to make up the difference. If this case lasts for 5 years, that's just over eleven cents a day difference.

If you're in an environment where you need the look for the sake of your job, is eleven cents a day worth quibbling over?

(And, with that in mind, as soon as I either get a new job or current employer gets a funding round, I'm gonna find that leatherworker whose output I've admired and get that $500 custom laptop bag rather than going through nylon laptop bags every few years.)
posted by straw at 10:25 AM on November 13, 2024 [3 favorites]




Best answer: If you don't need it ugently, I'd just wait a bit because Fossil ALWAYS has sales and do some digging for promo codes.
posted by VirginiaPlain at 12:22 PM on November 13, 2024


Portland Leather.
They also have Almost Perfect Sales (explore the site). I have purchased such items from them and the imperfections are nominal.
posted by oflinkey at 2:36 PM on November 13, 2024


I came here to suggest Portland Leather too. They're made in Mexico now. I bought a bag from their "Almost Perfect" sale and I could not find a flaw. The leather is going to soften with age and is really great. Would buy again.
posted by purple_bird at 4:50 PM on November 13, 2024


Response by poster: And VirginiaPlain has it. Knocked down to $275 for Black Friday. That’s only barely outside of my price range so lfg as the kids say. Thank you all!
posted by capricorn at 9:39 AM on November 26, 2024 [1 favorite]


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