You have decided that you need to buy a new briefcase.  The first thing you should ask yourself is this: Am I looking for quality and durability?   Do I want it to be functional or just look good?  Here I will be giving you food for thought by pointing out a few things which I learned through trial and error. These are just a few suggestions to consider before making your purchase.  

Start with giving yourself a budget or guidelines on how much you can afford or how much you are willing to spend on purchasing a briefcase since they can be pricy.  Always remember that when it comes to briefcases   "you really do get what you pay for."

What type of material is used to make the briefcase is probably the utmost important factor. You can choose from a wide selection of materials.   It can be natural or manmade.   Either one you choose will offer good durable quality.

It is important to check the stitching because and this is very important, when there is a double stitching you have a more durable, more resistant and better quality briefcase.  Look for a straight seam as this also indicates quality.

You may be looking for some exterior pockets.  These I find to be very useful at times, a good example is if you are traveling you can keep your plane tickets in it for easy and quick access.

Inspect the closing devices, if there is a zipper is it metal or poly.  A metal zipper offers a more sturdy protection especially when the briefcase is packed or over loaded which I have a tendency to do.  There are other types of closing devices, magnetic closing devices on the flap tend to not last as long and give less protection. The snap closing device in my experience seems to work better and keeps the flap closed and secure.

You also need to have a close look at the handles.   How they are attached to the body of the briefcase is crucial?    Is it very sturdy and is the material of the handle solid and of good quality. The handles should be covered with some padding for added comfort. Look for a detachable longer strap to carry the briefcase on your shoulder, it can comes in handy sometimes when you have to carry many things at once or when you need to have your hands free.

Another point to look for would be, does this briefcase lock or not? Sometimes this is an asset and it gives some extra protection for your valuables.  .

Is the briefcase lined or not. When there is no lining you have the opportunity to inspect the inside of the exterior shell for a closer look at the quality of the material used in the manufacturing of this item. On a briefcase the fact that there is a lining does not give more durability as it is just a finishing touch.

Look at the interior inspect the amount of space it offers.   Make sure there is enough room for all your needs, including a small laptop or other important devices you might need to carry around.

How many compartments are there?  Are the divisions of these compartments practical or does it cut down on the space availability.  This seems unimportant at first glance but it can give your briefcase more functional properties.

Other fairly important aspects to consider is the size and weight of the briefcase, you don't want it too small or too large.   

It has to serve you well.  When the briefcase is too large it adds weight when it is fully loaded and on the other hand when it is too small you do not have enough room. You really need to determine what your needs are so you can choose the best briefcase for you.

This is just a short list of interesting pieces of information that can help you make a knowledgeable decision on buying the right briefcase for you.  I have learned from my mistakes.  In my line of work I have bought quite a few briefcases before I finally learnt that the cheapest or most expensive or the fanciest briefcase was not always what I needed.  The more complex your needs are based on what you intend to use your briefcase for the wiser your decision needs to be. If you would like examples of different types of briefcases I invite you to visit us at: Otraditionhandbag.com.

Written by: Nicole Cousineau

Version française