Men’s Leather Briefcases: How to Choose One for Work

A leather briefcase is still the clearest way to say you mean business. The best ones are slim, hold their shape and take a laptop and papers without bulging. Valextra has a long claim here: its 24 Ore briefcase won the first Compasso d’Oro, Italy’s industrial design prize, in 1954. Coveti carries 9 Valextra briefcases from $4,200 to $6,380. This guide explains how to choose.

Key facts

• Width: about 39 to 41 cm takes a 15 inch laptop; 37 cm suits a 13 inch.
• Depth: 6 to 8 cm keeps a briefcase slim.
• Closure: a flap looks formal; a zip is quicker.
• Strap: a detachable shoulder strap helps on the commute.
• Valextra history: the 24 Ore won the Compasso d’Oro in 1954.

Flap against zip

A flap briefcase, like the Avietta Briefcase with Flap, closes over the top and looks the most formal. A zip briefcase, like the Avietta Briefcase with Zip, opens faster and is easier on a train. The Avietta, part of Valextra’s original luggage line, comes in both, with symmetrical compartments and a detachable strap.

Slim and modern

The Premier Briefcase 24H takes its pared-back line from the Forma Zero, a case Valextra designed with AG Fronzoni, and is only 6 cm deep. The MyLogo Laptop Bag is slimmer again, holding a 13 inch laptop and A4 papers, with top handles and a detachable fabric strap.

Size and laptop fit

Measure your laptop before you buy. A 15 inch laptop needs about 36 cm of inside width; a 13 inch about 31 cm. Leave a little room so the case closes without strain, and choose a depth under 8 cm if you want the briefcase to stay slim.

Leather and care

Valextra briefcases are made in Millepunte and Pave calf, both grained to resist scratches. Keep a briefcase stuffed with paper when it is empty so it holds its shape, and wipe it with a dry cloth. The black Costa edges can be repainted by the house if they chip.

Colour and hardware

Black is the classic briefcase colour and the safest for a formal office. Navy and a deep green read as just as serious and look warmer. Keep hardware small and silver-toned; a briefcase with oversized buckles dates quickly. Valextra uses palladium and silver-toned fittings with the black Costa edge, so the case looks the same in ten years.

Briefcases at a glance

House dimensions, widest point.

Leather briefcases worth buying

1. Avietta Briefcase with Flap 24H in Black, $4,310

The Avietta was part of Valextra’s first luggage range. Half briefcase and half overnight bag, it has two symmetrical zipped compartments. Dimensions: width 39 cm, height 28 cm, depth 8 cm. Millepunte calf leather. Made in Italy.

2. Avietta Briefcase with Zip 24H in Havana Brown, $4,470

The Avietta was part of Valextra’s first luggage range. Half briefcase and half overnight bag, it has two symmetrical zipped compartments. Dimensions: width 41 cm, height 30 cm, depth 8 cm. Millepunte calf leather. Made in Italy.

3. Premier Briefcase 24H in Black, $6,380

The Premier briefcase takes its line from the Forma Zero, a Valextra case designed with AG Fronzoni, and keeps its clean, pared-back shape for business travel. This one is in black Pave calf leather. Dimensions: width 39 cm, height 30 cm, depth 6 cm. Pave calf leather. Made in Italy.

4. MyLogo Laptop Bag in Black, $4,200

MyLogo is a bowling bag in a clean, quiet shape. Inside are a V pocket and a zipped pocket; two top handles and a detachable strap carry it. Dimensions: width 37 cm, height 26 cm, depth 7 cm. Millepunte calf leather. Made in Italy.

Buying Valextra at Coveti

Every piece is authentic and checked before dispatch, and ships worldwide by insured express courier (DHL Express and FedEx International Priority). Most regions ship Delivered Duty Unpaid, so local duties and taxes are payable on delivery. Bags and small leather goods are one size. Full terms are in the logistics and returns protocol.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best men’s leather briefcase?

A slim one in grained leather that takes your laptop with room to spare, such as the Valextra Avietta.

What size briefcase for a 15 inch laptop?

About 39 to 41 cm wide outside, like the Avietta.

Should I choose a flap briefcase over a zip?

A flap looks more formal; a zip is quicker to open.

Which briefcase won the Compasso d’Oro?

Valextra’s 24 Ore, at the award’s first edition in 1954.

How much is a Valextra briefcase?

$4,200 to $6,380 at Coveti on 14 October 2026.

Are Valextra briefcases made in Italy?

Yes.

Read next

Men’s work bags, Valextra for men, men’s leather backpacks, who is Valextra.

More men’s guides

Valextra for men, Men’s designer wallets, men’s leather briefcases, men’s crossbody and sling bags, and the full Valextra collection at Coveti.

Sources and method

Checked on 14 October 2026 by Gemma Deeks, Fashion Editor at Coveti. Product facts (materials, dimensions, straps and country of manufacture) are the brand’s own product-page text; prices and counts are the live Coveti catalogue on that date and move with stock. Where a claim could not be checked it was left out.

• Wikipedia, Valextra: founded 1937 in Milan by Giovanni Fontana; name, Compasso d’Oro 1954, Costa edge, artisan number
• ADI Design Museum: the 24 Ore briefcase, Compasso d’Oro 1954
• valextra.com, Bags: product pages read on 14 October 2026 (descriptions, dimensions, materials, Made in Italy)
• Coveti, logistics and returns protocol
• Coveti live catalogue, 14 October 2026: prices, sizes and stock

Gemma Deeks is Fashion Editor at Coveti. Prices, stock and counts on this page were checked against coveti.com and valextra.com on 14 October 2026.