Need a new work bag - Tumi v The Bridge and other questions

[Bob Fossil]

Morning all

I've decided to treat myself to a new bag for work - I plan on buying one that will last me for at least the next 10 years, so above all it needs to be very high quality and also discreetly timeless in its' style.

I've narrowed it down (so far) to something either from Tumi (seems a bit "nouveau riche" to me) or The Bridge (seem very well regarded, has the "timeless" look I like but I don't know much about them).

The bag needs to accomodate my laptop (standard 15" screen jobbie), various docs / acoutrements etc) and will be used for the City commute regularly, so needs to be durable.

One last question. I really like the idea of a brown bag, but don't generally wear brown shoes etc with my suits, so would it look weird? What is the general rule regarding this?

Budget is upto £500.

So, any ideas from the PH collective?

TIA

[sidicks]

10 years ago, my girlfriend (now my wife!) convinced me to spend something like £50 on a Bridge wallet, as she had owned a Bridge handbag that had lasted really well.

I still use that wallet which is in fantastic condition given the use it has had over the years.

Last year, I decided to treat myself to a new work bag / briefcase, which was purchased online from Highclere of Windsor.

The bag I purchased (stype '064325', I think) has a separate sleeve for a small laptop (I would expect that this could accomodate a 15" laptop, but you should check!

I'm very pleased with my bag although the factory did screw up the order (they sent a brown one, when I particularly wanted black) meaning that I had a significant delay before I finally received it. When prompted by the supplier, they did send a leather credit card wallet as a gesture of goodwill.

I recommend speaking to Lynda at Highclere, as she is very knowledgable about the different bags available.

Sidicks

[Flanders.]

500 pounds on a bag, fk that. Think of how much petrol money that could be.

[Silver993tt]

Bob Fossil said:

I really like the idea of a brown bag, but don't generally wear brown shoes etc with my suits, so would it look weird? What is the general rule regarding this?

will any one notice?

[StuB]

My wife has had a bridge bag for work for 4 years and I have had one for over a year, plus we have a large holdall, all lovely tan leather and superb quality.

We buy them when were in Italy (local shop to our appartment) to save a few £. Both of the bags we have happily fit 15" laptops and plenty more.

[chimera40]

Hmmm, hard one. If its a brown bag your after would recommend these. Do not know about it lasting ten years but they are readably available.



But 500 quid for a bloomin bag, I reckon you have a touch of the mental there my friend as only the mental would consider paying this much for such an item.

[Wadeski]

I wanted something a bit more "casual" to avoid looking like Mr.Briefcase with a pole up his arse, so got a Barbour satchel. Looks well made to me.

[Gaspode]

Bob Fossil said:

I really like the idea of a brown bag, but don't generally wear brown shoes etc with my suits, so would it look weird? What is the general rule regarding this?

I think you'll find that the general rule is that anyone who is concerned as to whether their bags matches their shoes may be considered to be more than somewhat self-absorbed.

Man up. Buy yourself a decent bag for 100 quid. Spend 400 quid on Scotch/Petrol.

[shouldbworking]

Gaspode said:

Bob Fossil said:

I really like the idea of a brown bag, but don't generally wear brown shoes etc with my suits, so would it look weird? What is the general rule regarding this?

I think you'll find that the general rule is that anyone who is concerned as to whether their bags matches their shoes may be considered to be more than somewhat self-absorbed.

Man up. Buy yourself a decent bag for 10 quid. Spend 490 quid on Scotch/Petrol.

EFA

[Vvroom]

Has to be a Mulberry clipper. I've had mine 5 years and it's wearing very well. No pockets but as long as you're not prone to launching your bag across the room your laptop won't suffer a jot.

[Taita]

Holy st it is like I have stepped into a different dimension. Males matching shoes to bags. Crumbs.

£500 on a bag. You are bonkers!

[ClaphamGT3]

What you need is a 4" Papworth

www.papworthtravelgoods.co.uk

Had one 9 years & it still looks fabulous and also will, given sensible packing, happily double up as an overnight bag for short trips away.

[Mobile Chicane]

Bob Fossil said:

I really like the idea of a brown bag, but don't generally wear brown shoes etc with my suits, so would it look weird? What is the general rule regarding this?

Brown, to town?

[Bob Fossil]

I had a feeling this one would split the audience... so thanks to all for your replies (both the serious and mock-shock ones).

To me, £4-500 isn't an unseemly amount to spend on an item that I will use everyday for many years - I buy decent shoes for the same reason. Rest assured, the rest of the time I look like a tramp and am still wearing jeans that I've had for years and years...

Re the shoe / bag thing - totally aware of the gheyness of the question, just didn't want to unwittingly look like a tit...

Having had a good look at them again today I reckon I may go for a black version of a Bridge briefcase. Hopefully won't need to ask this question again for many years to come...

ETA - those Papworths look interesting, may give them further thought

Edited by Bob Fossil on Wednesday 30th December 20:16

[Cotty]

Anyone have one of these http://www.cbfil.co.uk/

I particually like the Ferrari Moss No. 7 one http://www.cbfil.co.uk/ferrari-moss-no7_704_701.ht...