Leather briefcases and holdalls have timeless appeal, but when they also incorporate design elements from the latest fashion trends, they become even more of a must-have. The business bag for 2012 is a study in contrasts; you'll find sleek city stitching on rustic silhouettes, weathered looks on smart framed shapes and brilliant colours with businesslike designs. This gleeful mixing and matching gives today's totes a higher style profile than the subdued leather accessories tradition dictates.

You'll find this exuberant blend of whimsy and practicality in messenger bags from Prime Hide. The company's messenger bags feature classic, almost staid silhouettes with single or double buckles, but in unexpectedly luxurious leather. What looks like a rough-and-ready satchel worthy of Indiana Jones feels as exquisitely rich as a fine handbag. Prime Hide also features a range of accessories for your electronics that match their business bags in style, but come in a range of high-impact colours.

 

One trend that shows no signs of slowing is the passion for all things retro. The sleek lines and tailored shapes of mid-century modern styling get a 21st-century update from brushed metal findings. The hard-sided cases that were de rigueur in Don Draper's day no longer fit the assortment of essentials the modern business bag must hold. Designers like Chiarugi craft their leather into soft cases that look just as crisp, yet hold so much more. Chiarugi's selection of bags feature plenty of pockets for gadgetry in a pulled-together style. The rich sheen of Italian leather puts extra polish on these bags' professional style.

 

 

In a trend away from ornate stitching and an overload of design details, styles for 2012 embrace a more minimalist aesthetic. It's a clean-lined look that lets vivid colour or rich texture speak for itself. This simplicity turns a slouchy bag into a high-style accessory, and you'll find no better example of simple chic than Hidesign's line of business bags. Hidesign even does away with most of the bag's visible metal fittings, instead relying on leather fasteners that cast the spotlight on function over ornamentation. Choose from styles with matching leather tabs or designs with contrasting fittings. A black Hidesign business bag with mahogany brown leather trim is a smart investment that pairs well with anything in your wardrobe.

Colour is especially hot this season. Keep a vibrant orange or rich red business-appropriate with impeccably traditional silhouettes. The more colourful your business bag, the more classic its shape should be. A satchel with striking contemporary hardware looks best in conservative black or mahogany, for example, while a thoroughly traditional portfolio briefcase gets a lift from its rich russet hue.

Today's business climate is increasingly mobile, and that means your business bag has a higher profile. Get with the trends for 2012 and upgrade to a briefcase that does more than simply hold your belongings. Show your style and get noticed for all the right reasons.

Old Roman leather satchel

Most of the things you use during your work day are of very recent vintage. Your thoroughly 21st-century smart phone, your notebook computer and your thumb drives would have looked like science fiction to observers from the 1990s. Even if you work at a conservative office, your fashion sense would have been shocking a century ago.

In fact, you own only one item that would win the admiration of everyone from a Roman emperor to the Bard himself: your leather satchel. The defining characteristics of a classic satchel -- a cross-body strap, durable leather construction and an overlapping closure -- make it so practical that it's the one must-have accessory that has endured for millennia.

At its most fundamental, a satchel needs only three design elements: a sturdy across-body strap, a flap and a snap. This simple design resembles what Roman soldiers called a loculus, or "little place," for storing personal belongings. You'll still see the same timeless design in one-buckle styles from Prime Hide. These top-quality leather satchels function as briefcases that would hold up to a march from Verulamium to Hadrian's Wall, but look stylish enough for the modern office. You'll also appreciate features the Romans never imagined such as rugged metal zips and soft linings to protect delicate electronics.

 

While the Romans didn't get very fancy with their satchels, Renaissance craftsmen turned them into an art form. Embossed leather, doubled straps, ornate buckles and multiple pockets showcased the user's sense of style while keeping belongings safe. British-made Zatchels feature dual pockets and nickel-silver buckles that would doubtless have made them a hit for Renaissance fashionistas. Lucrezia Borgia would surely have killed for the red metallic, but these bags are strictly contemporary. Gorgeous colours and finishes make Zatchels fun, while their classic lines keep these envy-worthy bags smart enough for the office.

 

Even Shakespeare knew the value of a good satchel. In his day, no schoolboy was without a leather carry-all for his books and papers. You'll find a satchel-style case just as practical for your own books, but in an increasingly paperless society, that may well be an e-book or notebook computer. Take a look at our Ladies laptop bags to find cases that are as far beyond a scholar's humble tote as your e-book is beyond a quill and ink. Kenneth Brownne's laptop satchels convert into hand-held briefcases at will and contain a multitude of pockets for all your essentials. Keep your phone, notebook and even an umbrella close at hand in a top-quality leather bag. A range of stunning colours makes these bags as gorgeous as they are sensible.

 

The modern satchel has to fill new needs that its ancestors never knew. An unlined bag is fine for carrying blackberries, but your Blackberry requires a bit of protection. Choose a case with padded pockets like Fossil's rugged distressed leather work bags to hold electronic devices securely. Contemporary satchels also have to look sharp; Roman military issue was fine for subduing Gaul, but for job interviews or meeting with clients, a sleek bag in lipstick red tips the scale in your favour.

While its style has evolved, the practicality of the satchel remains. Upgrade your "little place" and enjoy the best of modern design combined with timeless style.

When Joey first sported his man bag on Friends, man bags were far from cool. Since then, however, the leather man bag has become an everyday essential for most men. How else are you going to carry your stuff from A to B? Faced with a carrier bag which will leave you looking like Angelos Epithemiou a leather man bag really is the only sensible option.

Bearing that in mind, here are a selection of the coolest man bags in 2012.

Hunter style leather backpack from Prime Hide (833) £65.99

Reminiscent of your younger days, rucksacks have come on leaps and bounds since the time when you used to carry that bulky nylon bag to and from school. The rucksack became the ultimate cool accessory for men in 2011 and its popularity is set to continue well into the spring/summer 2012 seasons. This comes as no surprise as previously it was very rare to see anyone who wasn’t a student or backpacker carrying one. This made the rucksack a unique and quirky bag style to rock! Leather rucksacks are also really comfortable, practical and work really well with all the current men’s fashion trends. Recently we have been seeing a lot of trends inspired by the great outdoors including Navajo, Heritage and Military looks which would all suit a rugged rucksack to finish them off.

Hidesign Hamilton Leather Holdall £199

Lecerf Canvas and Spanish Leather Holdall £170

Holdalls are also a popular man bag style for 2012 and are ideal for travel, business and gym use. Though these may have been a particularly bulky style in the past, the holdalls of 2012 are lighter, sleeker and can be used every day. Holdalls exude a particularly masculine vibe and will look fantastic combined with classic masculine pieces such as shirts, tailoring and thick outerwear as well as the latest Military and Rocker trends. Classic leather styles make a great investment piece but canvas holdalls are great for adding a utilitarian edge to your outfit in 2012.

Hansson Texas Gents Italian Man Bag £95.99

Like it or not, portfolios or man clutches are going to be huge in 2012. These mini man bags were seen all over the menswear catwalk presentations at Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks. Portfolios are great for keeping travel documents or small items like your keys, camera and phone safe and organised and will look great when paired with sharp tailoring. Look for sleek styles with sharp, clean lines.

Rowallan of Scotland Florence Briefcase in Cognac £155.99

Forget all thoughts of chunky box-like bags (and Will from The Inbetweeners), 2012’s briefcases are slim, stylish and not just for work. This year’s briefcase styles have been slimmed down so that you can either carry them under your arm or using the handles. Those at the very forefront of men’s fashion won’t use a cross-body strap which will wrinkle your clothes and can be paired with both formal and casual outfits. The briefcase shouldn’t be underestimated as 2012’s ultimate jack-of-all-trades man bag.

So to get the look, visit our online shop for a wide range of different Leather bags for men from brands including Fossil, Mudd, Rowallan of Scotland,Texier, Visconti and many many more.

What should men look for when they shop for a new briefcase? Is it the quality, a well known brand or the functionality..?

In the past it was Lawyers who used briefcases to carry briefs to present to court, hence the name a Briefcase.



Today briefcases are used for a multitude of things - from the usual business papers and now more so for iPads, Laptops mobile phones - you can think of a briefcase as a traveling desk. 

Styles range from those with a single clasp with single, double or triple gusset ( sections) Larger ones having a centre padded - sometimes zipped laptop section - to double clasp and buckle closing designs - With an array or storage options  pen holders, numerous pouch pockets. Most briefcases having not only top carry handled but detachable shoulder straps for ease of carrying.

Here are just a few of our recommendations:



This briefcase is hand-made from the finest vegetable tanned hide leather and produced just outside of Florence - Rustic brown leather is very in this season and this elegant briefcase is just perfect.  Has a zipped central section for a laptop.



This wider-at-the-base curved style is both functional and elegant, giving the appearance of a stream-lined briefcase while still fitting all your important documents inside. Italian Flare and style as you would expect from Chiarugi…!



If you are looking for something different  - Not your usual briefcase – a classy and now design made from lovely soft full grain cowhide leather – This Texier design will make you standout from the crowd  - available in black or dark brown

Check out our full range of briefcases and find the perfect bag....