5 stylish briefcases for work, commuting and studying, featuring Montblanc, Carl Friedrik, Moss and more

Compared to the other months of the year, August is the month which sees the worst attendance in the office. Simply put, the summer holidays means more people are taking annual leave, staying home to be with the kids, and schools and universities are closed.

I’m sure commuting and going back to school is far from your mind right now, but with September on the horizon, it’s a great time to upgrade your bag with a stylish new briefcase. A briefcase or laptop bag gives an air of professionalism, and they pack a surprising amount of storage under their stylish hoods.

To help you get ahead of next term or your return to the office, here are five briefcases that’ll level up your work, commuting and studying.

Best briefcase overall

1. Carl Friedrik Dunloe Briefcase

My top pick for the best briefcase overall is the Carl Friedrik Dunloe Briefcase. Available in four stylish brown colours, this briefcase is relaxed yet sophisticated, and it holds a huge amount of essentials, including a 16-inch laptop. Made from full-grain leather, it has a rough texture and is complimented by polished hardware.

I gave it five stars in my Carl Friedrik Dunloe Briefcase review, and found it to be the perfect companion for office commutes and work trips. My husband still uses it every time he goes into the office, and it has a good amount of spacious pockets and compartments to keep everything organised.

Best luxury briefcase

2. Montblanc Meisterstück Briefcase

Nothing screams luxury like the Montblanc Meisterstück Briefcase. Described as an ‘elegant companion for business trips’, this briefcase is available in Meisterstück black leather or Sfumato brown leather which is durable, stylish and robust.

The Montblanc Meisterstück Briefcase is inspired by writing culture, more specifically fountain pens which Montblanc is known for. The handles, zips and stitching are designed in the shape of a pen nib, and it comes with multiple carrying options with its removable leather strap. For £1,800 / $2,250, it’s not cheap but it’s sure to last a long time.

Best budget briefcase

3. Moss Saffiano Attache Bag

A budget briefcase doesn’t have to be basic, and the Moss Saffiano Attache Bag proves that in handfuls. Made from black faux leather, the briefcase has a modern Saffiano-style print to give it more texture and style.

The Moss Saffiano Attache has great internal pockets, including organiser compartments and a padded laptop sleeve. It has an adjustable strap for comfortable carrying, and a trolley sleeve, making it the ideal bag for abroad work trips to sit atop your suitcase.

Best briefcase and backpack

4. Stubble & Co The Hybrid Backpack

If you like switching between handles and straps, the Stubble & Co The Hybrid Backpack gives you the best of both worlds. This hybrid briefcase and backpack has a 20 litre capacity, and breaks up into three split compartments, so you can take it with you from work, into your next gym session and on to your weekend trip.

Inside, the Stubble & Co The Hybrid Backpack can fit a 16-inch laptop and other gadgets with its separate organisers. As a backpack, its straps are comfortable on the shoulders, and it has a main handle on the side so you can carry it like a briefcase – because why not have the option to choose both?!

Best briefcase for storage

5. Briggs & Riley Expandable Briefcase

If storage is what you’re after, the Briggs & Riley Expandable Briefcase has it in spadefuls. Made from durable, recycled materials, this briefcase is the king of organisation, with two large pockets at the front, a 15.6-inch tech sleeve for your laptop, and divided internal compartments.

The Briggs & Riley Expandable Briefcase can also be expanded by unzipping the side to make it bigger by 1.5 inches. It’s a great option for travel, and has a slip-through back panel to fit onto your suitcase.