The leather briefcase: an artful alternative to canvas
Along with the suit and tie apparel that became standard office wear many decades ago, men started carrying the briefcase, ostensibly to contain all their important office papers. The briefcase was almost a status symbol, visually declaring the person a professional rather than an ordinary worker. We’ve all heard the jokes about the briefcase contents - Joe’s lunch and a few pencils and a pad of paper - he really had no need of this accessory, but appearance is everything.
This essential accessory was originally made of leather, built for durability and style. Since then, the briefcase has evolved with the invention of synthetic leathers. During the 1970s, a gleaming, sleekly styled titanium briefcase became the rage. Eventually, the canvas briefcase, replete with pockets replaced the classy leather briefcase, reflecting the relaxed, trendy professional’s avant garde persona. Today, the canvas laptop briefcase has supplanted the traditional leather case in a nod to technology’s status.
As with fashion, what goes around comes around again, eventually. The leather case is today making a repeat debut. Now, it’s too ordinary to be sporting your laptop case. This briefcase innovation is no longer avant garde. Today’s professional carries a leather briefcase as a statement of management status. A fine leather briefcase looks more in keeping with professional dress, popular with both men and women.
Aesthetically speaking, a leather briefcase denotes quality and refinement. The old, dated version was chunky, styled in a more-is-better design. Presumably, the professional required rheems of paper stashed within, carried from office to home, indicating the intensive workload of this high status professional. Today’s take on this office accessory has a slim profile, made of the softest and finest quality of leather.
You should at least consider replacing that scuffed canvas laptop case with one made of leather. Just as you wouldn’t go to an important meeting with a client wearing jeans and tennies, a leather briefcase is required for high-profile occasions. Save the laptop case for everyday use.
To satisfy your curiosity, get online and search for leather briefcases. You can view photo galleries of the many styles, colors and sizes of the fine leather products. Italy is acclaimed, worldwide, for its fine leather artisans. One look at the quality and beauty of an Italian leather briefcase will convince you that leather is the way to go if your office wardrobe is to be complete.
You must admit that the University professor in his herringbone jacket and leather case, cuts a fine picture of the quintessential scholar, strolling across the University grounds towards the auditorium where he’ll be giving a lecture to his students. The same goes on Wall Street, with a $1000-suited stock broker on his way to today’s important deals.
The leather briefcase is the new status symbol of the professional. One of these nostalgic, refined cases belongs in your closet!
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