Swaine Adeney Gift Advice

alepenn · Nov 16, 2010

My younger brother got a job at Goldman Sachs trading and I'd like to get him a good briefcase for the (likely few) times he will need to go to meetings with higher ups and look good, and I'd like it to be something that will last and hold up over time (he's in his early twenties now).

My gut instinct is to go with a Swaine Adeney such as (on this site http://classicluggage.com/brief_case...portfolios.htm) the HAND-STITCHED WRAP-ROUND STRAP DOCUMENT CASE BY SWAINE ADENEY BRIGG LTD (Product Reference No.16).

What are your opinions? Do you have any other recommendations on what would be a good substitute? I don't want to say price isn't a factor becuase obviously I'd like to not spend more than necessary. That said, I want whatever I do get him to be the best and am willing to pay for it. My main problem is I don't know if SAB is the best briefcase or if I simply don't know about its peers.

Thank you for your advice.

Pantisocrat · Nov 16, 2010

Maybe something else...will work against him at GS.

ljrcustom · Nov 16, 2010

Originally Posted by Pantisocrat

Maybe something else...will work against him at GS.

Why is that?

-LR

ljrcustom · Nov 16, 2010

Disregard my previous comment. Just looked at the price.

-LR

The Gooch · Nov 16, 2010

I wouldn't get him an SAB bag unless his clothing was up to snuff, first.

Lord Nonsie · Nov 16, 2010

When I graduated graduate school and took at job in consulting at a white shoe firm in NYC, my parents bought me the SAB wrap around briefcase. I had told my parents a million times that was my favorite briefcase. And so they got it for me. I love it, but for the first 5 years on the job I never used the briefcase, instead opting for my old jack spade bag I used in grad school. I do use it now, but it took me more than 5 years to be comfortable and use the bag. Even now, I do not use it everyday. But I love it and I take care of it. I hope that it ages with me and I intend to keep it forever.

Not sure if this helps... but as a gift, I can think of nothing better. Would he use it? Not sure.

HEPennypacker · Nov 16, 2010

How would having a nice bag work against him? This is i-banking, and GS no less...it's not like his coworkers will think he's spending wildly. Whether he will actually use it is a different question, but he probably will get tired of the nylon bags at some point.

You can never go wrong with SAB. Valextra would also be a good choice.

JayJay · Nov 16, 2010

SAB is a great choice, and I think he'll appreciate and enjoy it.

alepenn · Nov 16, 2010

Thanks for the feedback.

Nonsie- I think you sold me on it. Is the brief you have the same as the one I picked out? If so, did you get a look at the different colours/which do you have?

Also, What is Valextra? Never heard of the brand.

Thanks!

Sazerac · Nov 16, 2010

Will work against him at GS? Have you seen some of these guys? They have pens that cost more than my house.

TC (Houston) · Nov 16, 2010

Originally Posted by Sazerac

Will work against him at GS? Have you seen some of these guys? They have pens that cost more than my house.

In the analyst class? I'd be surprised if somebody didn't draw a dong on it before he made his way out of training.

alepenn · Nov 16, 2010

Regardless of whether he'll use it I'm going at it more from Nonsie's POV- it's one of biggest events in his life and I'd like him to have something that shows I give a damn that can last his entire life and that will always be relevant. I don't really intend for him to use it on a daily basis and I doubt that he will as he's got a more practical tumi laptop case.

Would appreciate feedback on the model I've chosen (would another model be better for business on the rare occasion he does choose to use it/in the future if he uses it more frequently?)

TC (Houston) · Nov 16, 2010

Originally Posted by alepenn

Regardless of whether he'll use it I'm going at it more from Nonsie's POV- it's one of biggest events in his life and I'd like him to have something that shows I give a damn that can last his entire life and that will always be relevant. I don't really intend for him to use it on a daily basis and I doubt that he will as he's got a more practical tumi laptop case.

Would appreciate feedback on the model I've chosen (would another model be better for business on the rare occasion he does choose to use it/in the future if he uses it more frequently?)

Nice bag for sure, I would love it for myself. In his case I would choose something a little sleeker and youthful looking. As nice as this one is, it doesn't strike me as age or position appropriate. I appreciate the desire to give him something that is timelessly relevant, but how much do any of us enjoy receiving nice things that we can't use? He will have other milestone achievments that will provide you additional opportunities to celebrate his success.

BlueHorseShoe · Nov 16, 2010

Originally Posted by TC (Houston)

I appreciate the desire to give him something that is timelessly relevant, but how much do any of us enjoy receiving nice things that we can't use? He will have other milestone achievments that will provide you additional opportunities to celebrate his success.

+1. How about a watch?

Lord Nonsie · Nov 16, 2010

Originally Posted by alepenn

Thanks for the feedback.

Nonsie- I think you sold me on it. Is the brief you have the same as the one I picked out? If so, did you get a look at the different colours/which do you have?

Also, What is Valextra? Never heard of the brand.

Thanks!

MY briefcase is the classic wrap around document case. I had it made with the round brass lock as I preferred that to the rectangular style that come standard. I did it in London Tan, which I consider to be the best color, but I have also seen it in Chestnut. its worn beautifully and looks better as it gets used, etc. My parents bought it for me at Sterling and Burke (ie Classic Luggage)

Valextra makes beautiful sleek 1950s styled Italian luggage. I would consider them closer to Hermes or Goyard in price. I bought a Valextra piece a year ago and its great, but not the same thing as Swaine. For a briefcase I love the SAB. The Valextra I bought is a garment carrier and my fiance talked me into it since I started traveling a lot more for work. Its held up wonderfully, but I do not like their briefcases. I much prefer the Britishness of the SAB. The SAB garment bag and suitcases, on the other hand, are just too heavy and impractical.

As for a watch... I love watches and I think they are beautiful and wonderful rewards for milestones. However, starting out at GS, I would suggest the briefcase. Last thing I would recommend is somebody to notice a potentially showy watch.

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