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Rise in the ranks with these sleek carryalls.

When I landed my first job as an editor over a decade ago, I rewarded myself with a present: a briefcase. It was a black zip bag made of Saffiano leather with two sturdy handles and silver hardware by Prada. I’d been eyeing it for some time, and wanting to start my first day with the right impression, made the investment. (There's even a scene from Working Girl that demonstrates the same thing: how success is measured by the kind of bag you bring into a professional setting.)

For years, I carried my black Prada briefcase to the office and to evening events. It's lasted longer than most of my gigs and most of my relationships. And it still holds up, looking as good now as it did the first day I held it at the sales counter. My briefcase has received many a compliment over the years, and I like to think it played a part in landing many of the jobs and promotions listed on my resume.

This is exactly what the best briefcases should do. They should let employers and employees know that you’re a boss, you need to be respected, and don’t have time to deal with inflated egos. Yes, they're supposed to hold your essentials, your electronics, documents, and corporate or legal briefs (hence the name), but the vibe it telegraphs is even more important. So go ahead, do as I did, invest in a briefcase, preferably one from the list below. All of them will surely let others know you’re ready to rise in the ranks.

Eastpak's CNNCT collection is designed to be extremely functional, ready to take you through the day ahead with ease. That's why this briefcase is made with ultra-durable Cordura and coated canvas; why it's got a water-resistant treatment and padding to protect your tech; and why there's a slew of compartments to hold your electronics and documents and keep everything nice and organized.

We love Herschel for its backpacks and duffles; they're unfussy and affordable, sleekly styled and made of durable polyester. The same could be said of the brand's briefcases, including the Tech Gibson, which, in addition to its almost-impenetrable surface, features a padded and fleece-lined laptop sleeve.

Samsonite has a full collection of travel accessories: suitcases and carry-ons in all shapes and sizes, often made of heavy-duty polyester-nylon blends. Of course it has briefcase that fits the same bill, with a number of spacious storage compartments, including one with memory foam padding for your laptop.

Barbour's waxed cotton jackets—whether the Bedale or Ashby—are the real deal. They are celebrated for their durability, ability to withstand inclement weather, and classic good looks. The British label brought the same qualities to a line of briefcases, which are just as revered as the OG toppers.

If you're the kind of guy who likes his wares a little rough and tough, you're probably no stranger to Filson. The brand offers some of the most hardwearing apparel and accessories, all of done up in durable materials and stylishly functional in looks. Take this briefcase, for example: It's made of strong twill with sleek leather handles and straps, and brass hardware. Which means it can take you from the office to a bar—or a camp ground—with ease.

Adventure Pathfinder: the name alone suggests a briefcase that's built for longs treks, whether it's the commute to the office or a jaunt to a cabin up north for the weekend. Troubadour has equipped this durable nylon bag with zipped external leather pockets, detachable handles, and tonal gunmetal hardware. It'll store and protect your essentials on all kinds of journeys.

When Coach presented its first collection of leather goods, it was inspired by the supple feel of a well-worn glove. And living up to its reputation is the brand's Metropolitan briefcase. The bag is hardwearing, and features multifunctional pockets and a zipper lock for security, but what really makes it great is its buttery surface.

Tumi never disappoints when it comes to travel accessories, and this briefcase is proof. The bag features a panoply of pockets, all of them easy to access, in case you need to reach for a charger on a flight or your passport on the TSA line. And should you come back from your trip with more than you came with (as is often the case), the briefcase is completely expandable, offering extra compartments to store whatever.

Ghurka has been around since what feels like time immemorial, but really since the 1970s. It has remained strong in the biz because it continues to offers quality leather fashioned into classic silhouettes. John Truex, the creative director since 2019, aims to keep to this credo, digging into the archives and reissuing styles with a more luxurious finish. Case in point: the Examiner No. 5 briefcase.

From every English royal since Queen Victoria to the Beckhams to Madonna, almost every Brit (and wannabe brit) of stature is a loyal customer of Smythson. The label has been making the most exquisite stationary, journals, and leather goods for centuries, never deviating from its elegant and minimal mindset. This briefcase from the brand's City collection—an assortment of essentials made for metropolitan dwellers—is a prime example.

In the world of luxury, Montblanc has all the stuff to get ahead in the office, particularly from its Meisterstück collection, which includes the finest leather goods and writing instruments. Now, the brand's new creative director, Marco Tomasetta, is celebrating Montblanc's storied history, combining, in a way, both categories in one item. The stitched-down leather below the handles on this briefcase, for example, are a visual reference to the nib of the brand's iconic pen.

Of all the logos out there today, Gucci's interlocking G is one of the most recognizable. It appears on belts, shirts, and, as you can see here, briefcases. But it's not all hype. The brand uses the finest materials, including Supreme canvas, a fiber with low environmental impact. Plus, if time is the truest measure of things, know that this motif will last the long haul.

Prada is a directional brand, one that experiments with materials and silhouettes to create pieces that are new, fresh, but are also everlasting. And one of its greatest success was the introduction of the brand's signature Saffiano, a cross-hatched, embossed leather with a pleasingly textured surface. It's a great way to ward off actually scratches. What's more, the bag is deceptively roomy. It is slim in shape, yes, but you can fit a 13-inch laptop, your latest issue of Esquire magazine, and whatever else you need for the day.

Louis Vuitton's trunks are legendary. For centuries, the French label provided premier names with travel accessories that took them and their belonging to far-flung locations and back. Nowadays, all that is pretty much needed is a small carry-on and a bag to hold your laptop. Always adapting to the times, LV has released a briefcase that's slim, sleek, and will hold your computer without fuss.

Sfumato is a painting technique used by Renaissance masters that produces soft, gradient shades, adding richness and a sense of mystery to works. Berluti, the famed Italian label, honors this practice by applying something similar to its fine assortment of goods, often made of the brand's signature Venezia leather, an immensely supple material with a patina that's unmatched.

Bottega Veneta is known for many things, but the brand's Intrecciato leather is first and foremost. In the '70s, the Italian label introduced a line of bags made of precision-cut leather strips woven together to form a tactile and eye-catching pattern. It was such a hit that, over time, BV started to build on this legacy, introducing a number of goods that used Intrecciato or were inspired by it. So, if you want a briefcase with unwavering cachet, make sure to cop this one stat.