The London Lounge

Hello all,

I have lurked these pages for some time and learned a huge amount, so thanks to all regular contributors. Over the last year or two I have begun to build a much improved wardrobe and taken much from thelondonlounge. Expensive, but tremendously satisfying.

On to the topic - I commute by train to my office each day and usually wear a suit. I have a reasonable Ralph Lauren canvas (blue) and leather (brown) bag which is handy for the days when I am carrying more than the usual bits and bobs in. However, on many days I carry little more than wallet, keys, phone and a book and/or ipad. The Ralph Lauren bag is too big for this and I would like an alternative.

I have seen the Thomas Mann bag as made by R Horn recommended in a previous post and this looks about the maximum size I would need. Any other suggestions would be gratefully received. I am somewhat concerned that anything smaller or anything lacking a handle might start to whiff of handbag or clutch.

Also, I would appreciate some pointers on colour. I typically wear navy suits, sometimes charcoal and either black or brown shoes. My may main coats are a covert coat (navy thornproof with flecks of red and orange) and a black raincoat. In the colder months I often wear a grey flat cap. Finally, if I wear gloves they are usually tan or, infrequently, black. So what colour would you recommend for a bag? I was thinking black is a bit boring and perhaps burgundy or tan?

Thanks in to anyone who has read this far and further thanks advance to anyone taking the time to respond.

It may seem disrespectful or perhaps I am just old but I would stick with your Ralph Lauren bag. Anything the size just to carry a wallet, phone, keys and a book/ipad sounds as you have thought yourself like a handbag .

Perhaps a folio is the answer something like this http://www.tannerkrolle.com/product-det ... ery-folio/ though it need not be this expensive. I often use one when I only have a few papers and a pen etc.

Culverwood, not disrespectful at all and what I myself was worried about. The folio you suggest looks very nice but I think I would prefer something with a handle, which is why the Thomas Mann bag appeals:

http://rhorns.com/en/catalogue/Thomas-M ... fcase.html

I don't think this is too handbaggy but was interested in any other ideas. And on colours...

Thanks for the response.

Don't worry too much about color. Black is logical, but most medium to dark browns will suffice if you're not already bothered by blue canvas. No, it won't match, but you are carrying it and not letting it wear you. Put a few miles on it and people will just assume that you are getting maximum use out of the kit from the Rommel campaign. If you are a very junior employee in a London bank or law office, then perhaps you'd be in for some peer pressure. If not, just decide how much of a package deal you wish to offer.

I am awaiting a bag from Linjer, an upstart new company. They seem interesting, I'll report back once it arrives.

As regards the Thomas Mann case, I have to say that I do not like zippers on bags, on trousers, boots, sweaters...anything, in fact. They break, need repair and are a nuisance.

Sometimes they are more convenient, so if you don't need 50 years of durability it is not always a bad option.

What scares me about the Thomas Mann bag is the one handle. If you have anything in the outside pocket and don't zip up the main opening, the bag will twist all over the place and cause the contents to scatter. Better to get a folio without a handle if that's the size you want.

alden wrote:As regards the Thomas Mann case, I have to say that I do not like zippers on bags, on trousers, boots, sweaters...anything, in fact. They break, need repair and are a nuisance.

Dear Michael,

I agree with you in principle regarding zippers. But fact is: I have two Thomas Mann bags for a number of years. No break, no repair, no nuisance. And no scattering either

I can recommend this bag to anybody.

Cheers, David

I appreciate the replies. Michael's point on zips and Concordia's view on having one handle are well noted. I will do some further research on folios.

As for colour, I think the sentiment expressed by Concordia is about right - don't sweat it (to paraphrase).

The featured bag does not seem to me in the least feminine or objectionable; certainly not in a bank. I cannot speak for our legal brethren who, for better or worse, are more... traditional in their habits.

I think for all leather items, save black shoes when required and a matching belt, a dark brown/maroon is always preferable.

Re pants and zippers, I don't have patience for buttons.

Bags and zippers, though, I'll go along with the consensus here.

For those interested, I went with the following bag from a store I stumbled across in Princes Arcade, just off Piccadilly:

http://www.sagebrown.co.uk/index.php?op ... ct_id=2479

I went into Dunhill first and found the bags on offer had handles that were a little too handbag-like for me (they mostly had zips as well). However, the main issue I had was that many of the Dunhill bags are constructed in such a way that the leather retains the new, unblemished look for some time. My own preference is for leather to age and develop an individual patina. The Dunhill bags looked like they needed a good kicking before that might happen!

Interestingly, the helpful chap in Sage Brown told me that there is a definite trend in customers wanting the newer, shinier look. I am indifferent to such trends but different strokes for different folks, I suppose.

Thanks to all who took the time to pass on their thoughts.

As for colours, I would suggest that you might conjure a mental picture of what the article will look like in 10-20 years' time when it has acquired a little "wabi-sabi"

Not only colour, but design too might influence your choice in consideration of this.

I would stress no personal connection, but I cannot but recommend the output of the excellent Henry Tomkins http://www.htleather.co.uk/category/briefcases of Exeter, whose work is phenomenal value for money : he will also run you up your own design.

My work involves often carting around a 2Kg reference book, and I designed a book sling to carry the darn thing (and its updating supplement). Henry made it up in a very durable black leather (- like kip, but tanned) and after 7 years it looks barely worn.

Melcombe you beat me to it. I was put on to Henry by a friend and could not believe what you got for your money. If you stumbled across his website by chance, you would probably conclude that, at the prices he charges, the quality would be suspect. I would happily put his work up against the leather names from St James'.

I have a few pieces from this trader, the quality is very good.

http://www.manufactum.co.uk/manufactum- ... /?c=193756

The size is perfect for a few documents, an iPad and some other small items