One of the most maligned aspects of the working wardrobe, the briefcase, has gotten a bad rap.

For all its reputation as part of the uniform of the office rank and file, the briefcase is fundamentally a very useful, very practical way to keep documents safe and clean on the way to the office and back.

But it’s mocked, derided, and misunderstood. So to clear up the confusion, and for the benefit of all the men out there who do want help selecting a briefcase, EveryGuyed has put together the this article to help you figure out what serves you fashionably, and functionally.

The Portfolio

The portfolio isn’t a very commonly seen briefcase, but is the most portable, easily handled of all briefcases. An informal, soft-sided case without a handle, the portfolio is popular with the creative set, and can be easily shoved into a backpack or shoulder bag without trouble.

A great choice for individuals who tend to encounter a lot of loose documents that need a slim case to organize and protect them, the portfolio is like the baby brother of the briefcase.

The portfolio is popular with the creative set, and can be easily shoved into a backpack or shoulder bag without trouble

The Folio Case

The most commonly seen briefcase, the folio is a soft sided leather case with a handle. Seen everyday, nearly everywhere, this briefcase is not the sole property of the financial district. Everybody from disaffected journalists to over-earnest business students have use for this case.

There’s little to be said for the folio – buy it in black or brown, it’s a versatile choice that’s difficult to do wrong. Think of it as the white dress shirt or little black dress of the bag world. It goes with everything, and rarely looks out of place.

Think of the Folio Case as the white dress shirt or little black dress of the bag world

The Attaché Case

Less commonly seen is the attaché case. As the name implies, this lockable, hard sided briefcase was originally most often seen in diplomatic or legal fields. Usually finished in leather, the attaché case is easily the most formal of all briefcases, and also most cumbersome due to its size.

If you require the seemingly endless space of an attaché case, then there’s little other choice for what you carry on the day to day; however for most people, this case is overkill, and at best will allow you to carry things you don’t need, simply because you can.

the attaché case is easily the most formal of all briefcases, and also most cumbersome due to its size

Summary

Every briefcase has its own benefits and drawbacks:

• Portfolio: Soft sided, and without a handle, it’s very portable but informal.
• Folio Case: A soft-sided handled briefcase. Versatile and useful in nearly every situation.
• Attaché Case: A hard cased, handled briefcase. Usually finished in leather, and the most formal. Somewhat cumbersome due to its size.

Comments?

Have you got any briefcase suggestions? Did we miss one of the merits of carrying an attaché over a folio? Use the comments box below to help find the briefcase for you!

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Xiaoli Li

Xiaoli Li is an often-missed former editor at the EveryGuyed network. He's currently working as a freelance writer, and probably yelling at a soccer game somewhere out there.

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