<p>Hello older fora dwellers,</p>
<p>I will be traveling overseas soon for a research trip. In addition to a normal suitcase, I will also need to bring a bag that will serve as carry-on luggage, will carry my laptop and other notebooks/materials, and will be appropriate for carrying to interviews and other formal events (e.g. not a backpack). What would you recommend I look into for a bag that would fulfill those functions, be cheap, and be stylish/appropriate for formal events, while still being durable for travel?</p>
<p>try messenger bags, bike panniers/bags. (jandd.com , biketiresdirect.com)</p>
<p>Can you please clarify what you meant by “formal events”? Business meetings? What is your price range? $50? $150?</p>
<p>Its not particularly cheap, but I adore my Briggs & Riley rolling briefcase.</p>
<p>I’m sure there are less expensive models, but you should find one that has similar features</p>
<p>By formal events, I mean interviews and meetings, of the sort that would usually require a suit to be worn. And ideally, I wouldn’t spend any more than maybe $50, unless it was of such high quality to be worth a longterm investment.</p>
<p>Bike messenger bags and suits usually do not blend well (unless you work in biotech where no one gives a rat’s behind about looks). I recommend getting something more conservative. Stay away from leather - it is heavy. </p>
<p>Check your Nordstrom Rack and see if they have discounted bags by Tumi (they usually do). Tumi makes indestructable luggage, but it is not cheap. This lightweight (4 lb) bag costs way more money that $50, but it will last at least a decade (my DH’s bag still looks brand new after almost ten years despite daily use):</p>
<p>[Tumi</a> Tumi T-Pass Large Screen Laptop Slim Brief- eBags.com](<a href=“http://www.ebags.com/product/tumi/tumi-t-pass-large-screen-laptop-slim-brief/134578?productid=1349287]Tumi”>http://www.ebags.com/product/tumi/tumi-t-pass-large-screen-laptop-slim-brief/134578?productid=1349287)</p>
<p>[TUMI</a> > Tumi T-Pass? Medium Screen Laptop Messenger > Alpha](<a href=“http://www.tumi.com/alpha/t-pass-medium-screen-laptop-messenger/]TUMI”>http://www.tumi.com/alpha/t-pass-medium-screen-laptop-messenger/)</p>
<p>Tumi also has outlet stores that carry a big selection of similar business briefcases.</p>
<p>Samsonite and Kenneth Cole make good, sturdy business briefcases. Here are some examples:</p>
<p>[McKlein</a> Laptop Bag, Walton Expandable Double Compartment - Business & Laptop Cases - luggage - Macy’s](<a href=“http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=441438&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results]McKlein”>http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=441438&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results)</p>
<p>[Samsonite</a> Laptop Bag, Checkmate II Checkpoint Friendly Business Case - Business & Laptop Cases - luggage - Macy’s](<a href=“http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=459632&CategoryID=25547&LinkType=PDPZ1]Samsonite”>http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=459632&CategoryID=25547&LinkType=PDPZ1)</p>
<p>[Travelpro</a> Briefcase, Executive First Checkpoint Friendly Messenger - Carry-on Luggage - luggage - Macy’s](<a href=“http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=410550&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results]Travelpro”>http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=410550&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results)</p>