Briefcase (opinions)!

[Guest]

Dear Gentleman,

I will soon be purchasing a new attaché and was thinking of having it in alligator skin. What do you gentlemen think? Is it too much (statement wise)?

Kindest regards
E

[Guest]

I would really appreciate your replies even if they may be negative. Thanks.

[Guest]

A similar question, also in this section of the Lounge, was asked just a few months ago. Consensus seemed (if I remember correctly) to have favored traditional, less obvious hides.

RWS

[Guest]

I think its lovely. If you can afford it go for it!

[Guest]

I like the idea! A black or darker brown alligator would be beautiful.

[Guest]

Is it too much (statement wise)?E

If you are not sure about it, then you probably won't pull it off too well. Strong statements are fine with strong characters, I think.

C

[Guest]

. . . a new attaché . . . in alligator skin. . . . . Is it too much (statement wise)? . . . .

This question contains the answer to whether you should have a case covered in alligator's skin or not. Do you expect the case to "speak" for you, to represent your character to the world? No thing can do that. Well, then, to amplify or reinforce the way you comport yourself? Consider how you do appear to others -- ask a few of those many others. Consider whether or not carrying an alligator's skin would accord with the image you have already created of yourself in others' perceptions, or whether or not you can change -- or even wish to change -- that image.

In the end, though, you must choose. As "C" intimates, the mere fact that you question whether to carry such an object is indication (not proof) that such a case is unsuitable for you.

RWS

[Guest]

I largely agree with RWS. However, if the case appeared well-used, you might carry it off. A lot depends on the style of case - a traditional styling would go better with this than a modern styling - which may appear very mannered. Probably opt for an attache case style but, frankly, chaps don't really do bags.
NJS

[Guest]

I very much agree with RWS . Spot on !

yialabis

[Guest]

...but I've always felt the the height of masculine elegance, sprezztura, or whatever one wants to call it is not having (any need for) a bag. While a croc-skin briefcase may be quite striking in itself, I personally fear it would call actually unwanted attention to the fact that one (1) actually has to work for a living, and (2) actually has to lug the implements/instruments of that work around. As such, if you are putting your hard-earned funds to work, I would recommend instead that you consider that ever-rarer mark of elegant dandyism: the crocodile/alligator shoe.

Of course, this not being pre-revoluntionary France, most of us (myself included) have to work to pay for our hobbies (among other things). For me, however, that doesn't change the ideal that an elegant man should strive for.

Sorry if the response was not 100% on point, but the above is my genuine reaction whenever I consider an expensive or striking bag.


- Daniel

[Guest]

I have made up my mind, after all your spontaneous answers regarding whether it would make too much of a statement or not. Most members replied with a negative answer and judged me without even knowing me, that is the attaché made a statement without it even been seen by anyone yet. So my initial question was not if ‘I’ can carry it off or not (obviously that question cannot be answered, as no one of you actually know me) but if the bag alone would cause some talking. And it obviously did.

Many thanks
E

[Guest]

Might I comment another uncommon, but less polarising, skin such as peccary or even ostrich? I think there is also less risk you'd get tired of it (and less investment, in the unhappy event that were stolen)...

EB

[Guest]

Most members replied with a negative answer and judged me without even knowing me, that is the attaché made a statement without it even been seen by anyone yet. .

I am not sure we deserve reproof as you appealed to our immagination rather than to our informed judgment when you (1) posted this in the Anonymous section, thus depriving us of any hint to your identity and (2) chose not to post a picture of the actual briefcase in question. I certainly believe that an aligator attache does make a strong statement. I also believe this statement may go along well or collide with the personality of its owner, depending on the nature of the latter. A strong character wouldn't doubt much whether such an unusal article were "too much statement-wise" for him, hence the sensible suggestion to check if you are confident about your choice. Which is NOT a judgment about you, as RWS underlined in his post.
As for "making up your mind", please allow me to note you only changed it

C