History of the briefcase

The men's leather briefcase is the modern office man's ultimate accessory. Providing him with often needed mobility for his office, compartmentalization of his work tools and the much sought after impression on others.

History of the briefcase

It is uncertain when exactly the bag we know today as the briefcase started being used, nor where for that matter. But around the world, the history of the briefcase has striking similarities. Often used by doctors, salesmen and even big time criminal-type money gamblers, the premise of the importance of the briefcase remained the same. The doctor carried his stethoscope, medication and whatever else he needed in the briefcase when he made home visits to his patients (there weren't many hospitals back then). The salesmen, ever on the road, needed something to carry all his material in - he sought out the briefcase. The big time hustler/gambler carried his poker chips in there and admired the briefcase for how he could easily pick it up and be on the road if the law, sore losers or victims of his cons pursued him. In all instances, it was the same need that made the briefcase useful - the need to carry everything you work with in one bag as you move from place to place.

Alistair Darling in 2010 before the
budget announcement holding up the
 famous "Budget Box" briefcase

In the modern times the idea remains the same, only now you see more of white collar professionals like lawyers and business men employing the briefcase as a mobile office. Documents, files, books, laptops, electronic gadgets - anything you would normally find in an office in regular use you would more than likely find in the modern day briefcase. Briefcases have made their way into symbolic iconic roles in society too. For example with the generational "budget box" that would be seen each year until 2010 when the budget was announced in Britain.

Types of Briefcases

Classic soft-sided briefcase by Targaryen Man
 with detachable strap

The two main variety of briefcases are the hard-sided briefcase and the soft-sided briefcase. The hard-sided briefcase typically has a skeletal frame made from cardboard, plastic or aluminium with material sewn around it making a rigid box-like bag. The soft-sided variety encompasses pretty much every other type of briefcase made without a frame. Both are perfectly suitable for the office and in some cases it is a matter of preference which one you would prefer. The soft-sided briefcase does maintain certain advantages over it's hard-sided counterpart. The soft-sided briefcase can allow for more documents, books or whatever contents when it is full because the sides are not rigid. Also, because it is flexible it fits easier in packed spaces. The hard-sided briefcase offers a bit more protection for its contents because of it's rigid casing. typically the briefcase will have a handle on the top although there are varieties (such as those by Targaryen Man) that come with detachable straps for extra carrying security.

Materials used in making briefcases

The materials used in making the briefcase normally dictate its durability, how it looks and how much it will cost you. Leather is the most durable and attractive option albeit the most expensive. It is the most common material for hard-sided and soft-sided briefcases. With minimal maintenance, leather can last for years and still look stylish. Top-grain and full-grain leather are the most durable hides for briefcases, but split-grain and corrected-grain leather are attractive economy options. Suede, the softer side of split leather, is sometimes used to line leather cases, but it makes a less durable choice for exterior bag surfaces. Other options for material include vinyl, metal and fabric in descending order of durability and typical cost. While leather is the more costly option, overall its durability and attractiveness make it a sought after material for the top-shelf briefcase. 

Choosing the right briefcase for you

Modern soft-sided briefcase by Targaryen.
More space and compartments.

Typically, when you decide to buy a briefcase you have in mind what you will want to use it for. Briefcases will come in all shapes and sizes and it is up to you to know what you will carry in your briefcase to determine which you will buy. For example, the lawyer will probably need a bigger briefcase than the IT professional - more paperwork to be carried around by the former. For papers and notebooks that sometimes need extra room, a soft case might be a more convenient option. Airlines recommend hard briefcases to protect delicate electronics, an important consideration for frequent travelers; but in the same breadth, soft-sided briefcases would probably fit better in the usually over-packed overhead compartment. You want to choose your bag's material based mostly on practicality although of course style is an unavoidable influence. In the latter consideration, especially for the more conservative industries, leather is a hit. Period. Cost is another important factor when choosing the right case. An inexpensive briefcase may cost little up front, but it will need to be replaced sooner than a more expensive and durable version. A good guideline is to buy the highest quality, which is usually leather.

When buying a briefcase be sure to look out for the following:

• Stitching: The stitching should be strong, even and consistent and should NOT have any loose threads both on the leather and on the lining inside the case.
• Zipper: Metal zippers generally last longer and present less problems. Check the zippers, run them open and close them a few times and ensure all the zippers (if present) are working fine.
• Grain of the leather: Full-grain leather is the best option in terms of durability and aesthetics, followed by top-grain leather which is an excellent alternative to the good stuff.
• Hinges: If your briefcase has hinges (typical of hard-sided cases), you need to bear in mind they will be working each time your case is opened and closed. As such, you ought to inspect them before buying the case to ensure they are strong enough and will not give in after only a few swings.
• Handles/Straps: The handle of the briefcase will take the most hits in the lifetime of the briefcase because where it is planted is where the most weight lifting will be done. Make sure your handle is secure on the briefcase, be it the glued, stitched on or mechanically mounted onto the briefcase. Throw some weight in the case that mimics what you would carry regularly, lift it up a few times and ensure it is strong enough for the job. Same goes for the strapped briefcase.

The bags pictured in this article are by Targaryen Man and are part of the Corporate Boss Collection. Call +263774760865 or +263774999856 for further enquiries.

How to shop for your laptop bag

In this information age it is near, if not always, essential that the professional lady carry her laptop around with her. With a plethora of options out there, the laptop bag best suited for you can only be determined by a few considerations guided by your needs and style. The basic function of the bag is to carry your laptop with you and protect your ever so precious device. But as a lady we all know the needs will go a bit further than that. Make a list first - where will you carry this bag? What else in addition to your laptop will you want to carry? What does your body look like? What style bag are you most comfortable with? How big is your laptop? Here's how you shop for the laptop bag you will love.

Bag Style and Material

The material that stands out the most would be leather, genuine leather. The laptop bag would not only be the most durable you can find, but also tends to be stylish and trendy in the professional world. On average, the lady bringing a leather laptop bag to a meeting appears more professional than the one who borrows her son's torn canvas bag, for example. She commands more respect and dignity. She is perceived as more luxurious, more elegant, more classy, more confident. She is put on a pedestal.

Lady Targaryen Sleeve Laptop Bag

 

Laptop bags come in different styles, with the sleeve/envelope laptop bag (slim, looks more like a laptop bag) and the briefcase style (more spacious, more compartments) being the most common amongst corporate women. Usually at this point the decision is influenced by if you're ok with just the laptop bag and the charger fitting in your bag (as with a sleeve) or if you intend to have something of a mobile office with you; documents and other items in addition to your laptop (as with the briefcase). At Lady Targaryen we designed our laptop bags taking all this into account as well as that extra edge of class we strive to deliver. Our sleeve laptop bag, although slim, allows for a scarf or two to be squeezed in there. Our briefcase styled bag is more spacious, allows for more office essentials to be included in your go about. The different compartments also allow for one to organise herself better. Both come with detachable shoulder straps. In a matter of seconds you can change you laptop bag's style.

 

Lady Targaryen Briefcase Laptop Bag



For some women, feeling the way they do when they carry a beautiful handbag is simply indispensable. Another style was designed with this in mind, a hybrid bag, half sleeve, half beautiful handbag. This bag, while stylish, still maintains the function of a laptop bag, it just looks like a handbag.

 

Sleeve Laptop Bag/Handbag Hybrid

Body - Bag Harmony

For the ladies who care about how their bodies look with regards to the choice of laptop bag, this part is pretty simple. If you are on the plus size side of life you will look bigger if you carry a small laptop bag. If you are more the petite type, you will look smaller if you carry an oversized bag. Just be weary of the size and how you look - if you care that is. The choice in size of course may be limited by the size of your laptop bag. But even with this limitation, the bag style can be chosen to counter this. The sleeve laptop bag is a lot less bulky as compared to the briefcase-styled laptop bag. So even with a big laptop, the style of bag may help in making it appear not as bulky.

 

To sum it up..

Here's basically what you'd want to make sure you tick off your checklist when shopping for the laptop bag for you:

• Water resistance: your laptop bag's main function is to safeguard your laptop. Water + Laptop = bad news. Select materials such as leather that will always keep your laptop safe from water should some spill over your bag.
• Comfort: the office woman may find herself quite mobile on occasion, the comfort your bag will give you makes it easier for you to carry it around. Take your laptop with you when you go shopping for a laptop bag. When trying a bag on, shove your laptop in there and make sure it feels just right. Be it a comfortable shoulder strap, comfortable handles - make sure you get this part right.
• Material: the material you select for you bag is not only to do with the protection of your laptop. It has a lot to do with who you are and what your bag will say about you. A simple example is this: a leather laptop bag speaks volumes more than, say, a canvas bag.

Check out the Lady Targaryen bags featured in this article and more in the Corporate Boss Collection.

 

 

 

The iconic duffel bag

duffel bag

noun
a large, cylindrical bag, especially of 
canvas, for carrying personal
belongings, originally used 
by military personnel.

Origin: 
1915–20,  Americanism

The iconic duffel bag has a unique history which reminds us that fashion has no limits to where it roots from. The duffel bag, however fashionable, has maintained its roots to it's current use as an indispensable utility item. From military beginnings to the modern day traveler, athlete and outdoor camper, the duffel bag has held its own as a must-have.

The word 'duffel' refers to a town in Belgium, Duffel, from where the cloth (known as Duffel Cloth) that the first duffel bags were made came in the mid 17th century. Originally the bag was a simple cylindrical shaped bag made from duffel cloth tied by a string at the neck to hold the contents inside it; often used by common folk. However, in more recent history the duffel made a worldwide impact post World War II after its widespread use in the military during the war. The bag remained cylindrical but appeared more with a zipper that ran its length as opposed to a string at the neck.

Most cultural references of the bag hail from Australia, where it was synonymous with surfing culture, and from California in the US (1940s-1950s) where ex-navy personnel were commonly known to use the bag in their everyday go-abouts, carrying just about anything in the bag from regular clothes to sports gear to equipment.

The modern day luggage duffel bags, like their predecessors, are usually made of material that will
withstand abuse, such as being tossed back and forth between airplane cargo holds and thrown onto baggage carousels. One popular material is a thick ripstop nylon or canvas-like material. This fabric will expand to hold a great deal of clothing, but will also stow easily in a trunk or back seat - often even under the seat in an airplane. Many of these bags also have convenient pockets on the sides, front and back. Unlike the early duffel, they also have diversified from their round beginnings and may be square or rectangular in shape. Leather is another popular material choice for duffel bags. These bags tend to be more expensive, but extremely durable in comparison with the nylon bags.

If a traveler needs one good piece of luggage that is both durable and suitable for a wide variety of uses, a duffel bag may be his ideal choice. Same goes for the athlete, the outdoor camper and the regular gym guy. Think ultimate travel bag. Think can't-do-without gym bag. Think heaven-sent camping utility bag. Think Duffel Bag.

The leather duffel bags in photographs are part of The Corporate Boss Collection and are available from Targaryen Man at $180 each, call 0774 760 865, 0774 999 856. Photography courtesy of GwiEsquire and ZashCraft of Crafted Media.

PDF catalogues now available!!

The PDF catalogues for the Corporate Boss Collection and the Spring 2013 Collection are now available for your convenience. Click on the links below to download.

The Corporate Boss Collection PDF download link

Spring 2013 Collection PDF download link

The beauty in creating.. The story goes on..

In the wake of the new year, like most people we make resolutions. And our sole resolution is to create more class, create more beauty for the ladies out there who have shown us support in the past year. Over the course of 2013, our 'Spring Collection 2013' was well received; it attracted the attention of women of note, designers, fashion houses, retailers, featured at shows, featured in magazines, you name it. But creation of beauty is only fueled further by such, is it not? At least ours is anyway. Besides, we'd like to believe we exist for such, the creation of beauty in fashion, the creation of class for the classy woman. And we intend to fully live up to that. This year will be an exciting one for us with so much already in the pipeline. The story of the classy lady continues..

"Love of beauty is taste. The creation of beauty is an art"          

- Ralph Emmerson

Our Bag of the Week - 2 to 9 December 2013

You voted and here it is! This week's Bag of the Week is a slouchy green suede handbag. As with all Lady Targaryen bags, this handbag was designed in Zimbabwe and is manufactured from the finest quality, genuine Ethiopian leather. We've put together a number of looks with this Bag of the Week: check them out below!

Look 1: a sleek office ensemble to get the week started on the right note

Look 2: casual and cool - perfect for weather that's a little rainy and makes the green colour of this bag pop!

Look 3: another office outfit - this bag can be worn all week with ease

Look 4: Saturday shopping? Yes please! This is the perfect look

Sleek and sexy: perfect for a weekend brunch - #LadyTargaryenRecommends this fresh and summery look

Want more? Follow the #LadyTargaryenRecommends hashtag for more handbag pairings. All Lady Targaryen handbags can be purchased at Truworths stores or directly from info.ladytargaryen@gmail.com!

THE THING ABOUT HANDBAGS

Here’s the thing about handbags: they’re the perfect accessory. Handbags will always fit, no matter how much weight you may gain or lose. Handbags look amazing, and they’re functional too. And nothing pulls an outfit together like the right handbag. Handbags are the perfect accessory.

The first women to start carrying handbags were the ancient Egyptians. In medieval Europe, the quality of a bag’s embroidery and leather revealed your social status – so not much has changed there, then! The handbag proper began life in eighteenth-century France where it was called a reticule; Louis Vuitton opened his first shop in Paris in 1854 and in 1856, Thomas Burberry set up shop in Basingstoke. Together, they are responsible for the most copied luxury goods in the world. Coach of Manhattan was established in 1941; Hermes of Paris began to produce the handbag now known as the Kelly back in the 1930s, a good twenty years before Princess Grace ever carried it. Jackie O preferred the Hermes Constance, and in 1981 the iconic Birkin was designed for actress Jane Birkin, who blames its weight for her tendonitis. Iconic brands and celebrities have always had a special relationship.

In the 1970s in Somerset, Roger Saul started his Mulberry workshop. When he sold out over twenty years later, deciding to run a hemp-seed oil farm instead, the brand went global, with prices tripling. But purists will still tell you that a Saul bag, with its tartan lining and oiled brass zips, is better than the modern Mulberry. Mrs Thatcher’s handbags were Ferragamo; Princess Diana preferred Dior, who returned the compliment by creating the Lady Dior in her honour. The average thirty-year-old British woman owns twenty-one handbags and will buy a new one every three to four months, owning about 160 in her lifetime.

HANDBAGS FROM LADY TARGARYEN'S SPRING/SUMMER 2013 COLLECTION

From the origins and history of handbags to their present day form, one thing is clear: women love handbags. As a status symbol, a piece of everyday luggage and just something pretty to carry on your arm, we love handbags – cheers to our favourite accessory!

-        Featuring an excerpt from Late Night Shopping