J. Crew Rugged Twill Briefcase – $98.00 ($128.00)
Use the code: FREESHIP for free shipping, no minimum. Expires 3/18
UPDATE: Hold your horses kemo-sabe. There might be some durability issues. See Ryan’s comment below…
This particular rugged briefcase has been featured more than a few times here on this site. And c’mon. It’s not real hard to figure out why.
The top handles, over the flap buckle detail, and a not too small yet far from huge 15″ width make for one good looking work bag . Even that chestnut color fabric looks great. This bag has been hanging out on JCrew.com for more than a few months, and it’s a bit surprising that it made it all the way to the sale section.
It’s big brother, the Rugged Twill travel bag is still at full retail, but no matter since it’s the briefcase that’s really the stunner of the two. Free shipping with the not so difficult to remember code FREESHIP. Good through 3/18.
.
I’m usually a giant fan of J.Crew, but I need to jump in here.
I got this bag around the mid-end of last summer. It is now falling apart.
I have used it almost every weekday, and have not abused it. Most of the time I just have my macbook, a magic mouse, and maybe a few papers in it. Recently I’ve also carried a kindle in it. Altogether not super heavy things.
About a week ago as I was walking, one side of where the strap attaches to the bag just snapped. The whole bag fell in the middle of the street, but luckily the padding on the bag protected my laptop. I rigged something to get a little more usage out of it, but I’ve also begun to notice that the leather shoulder strap is starting to fray and come apart. It’s hard to explain, but its like the leather is splitting in half, or something. It still seems solid enough to support the weight, but I don’t give it too long.
Beware before buying this otherwise very nice bag.
That’s really too bad. It’ll be hard to find a replacement that’s this good looking.
I’m looking to buy my new office weekday bag. So far I’m inclined to try Banana Republic Leather Messenger bag but any tips are welcome. I usually carry a laptop and at least 100 pages of work papers so something sturdy and stylish is what I’m looking for.
Well damn it. Because this one has been on my personal list for awhile. Now’s when the rationalizing of “well maybe he just had a bum one” comes into play : ) Thanks for the heads up Bryan. Greatly appreciated…
Filson Briefcase looks nice, although twice as expensive I’m sure it lasts forever
Yeaaaa… It kinda sucks, and I’m not having much luck finding a replacement.
I was looking for a new bag and was considering the Filson Medium Dispatch Bag. It can be found online for around $107, but I found out it’s made in China. I ended up with a military style bag. also made in China, for $70. We’ll see how long it lasts….
http://www.filson.com/products/passage-dispatch-bag-medium.73008.html?fromCat=true&fvalsProduct=luggage/briefcases&fmetaProduct=1019
http://www.amazon.com/MOLLE-Tactical-Briefcase-Laptop-Bag/dp/B0029LE9IM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1300584409&sr=8-2
Yeah, I bought this bag around the same time last year.
Same issues with the strap. It didn’t snap or break on me, but it’s startin to seriously fray and come apart on the sides. Rest of the bag seems fine, so I kinda wish J. Crew sold replacement straps (for cheap).
I really like the bag overall and don’t regret my purchase though. I have gotten several compliments on it at work and on the Metro.
I can’t speak for any other BR bags, but I bought a messenger bag (close to $200) about 2.5 years ago and it’s held up really well. Only recently is there some fraying around the straps.
Decided to bite the bullet and get the bag. Crossing fingers and hoping the bag will last a while.
had this bag for about 2 weeks – the leather strap started coming apart (its apparently 2 strips of leather glued back to back)…bought it full price and returned it. its a great looking bag – but doesn’t hold up.
why can’t this bag be shipped to Singapore =(
same problem for me. I exchanged my first bag for a new one hoping it was just a fluke, but the replacement bag did the same thing within a few months. I love the bag and I still have it, but it’s such a shame that the straps are useless.
I purchased both this briefcase bag AND the larger travel bag at the same time.. and both soon had the same issue of the straps falling apart. The messenger bag/briefcase had the issues where the leather just split apart down the middle. The larger bag has that issue (to a slightly less severe degree) but the buckle broke the first time I used it. Had to rig it to hold up.
Love the fabric, the look. Hate the straps. So frustrating.