I've yet to begin full-time, but I remember when I was in the office for interviews at the firm I'm working at, my friend (guy who got me a job) walked in with an Under Armour gym bag. I'd guess that's pretty acceptable.

Probably wouldn't rock a brief case quite yet. A backpack could probably be fine, but it would depend on the type of backpack.

 

I used to carry around a nylon Tumi until I realized there's really no need to bring a bag to and fro every day. Just leave one in the office.

Plus, when you walk into the office late it's really obvious that you just showed up; whereas, if you walk in sans bag, you can play it off like you were in a meeting or something. ...a great tip from a departing analyst last year!

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jackofalltrades:
Plus, when you walk into the office late it's really obvious that you just showed up; whereas, if you walk in sans bag, you can play it off like you were in a meeting or something. ...a great tip from a departing analyst last year!

Post of the week!

 

i usually carry an employer branded messenger bag or duffel bag (if i'm planning to hit the gym). The company issued bag looks more acceptable than a regular gym bag or backpack. My main argument is that if it wasn't acceptable, they wouldn't have given it to me and stamped the company logo all over it.

I usually keep it in one of the closets near the elevator banks (so people don't notice you're coming in/leaving.

you don't really need to bring much with you, but it is helpful if you don't feel like jamming your cell phone, blackberry, keys, wallet, and iPod in your pant pockets.

 

Bump...I'm interest in hearing what people brought to work as well, especially as a summer analyst. In school, I just had a northface backpack, but its worn out now. I was planning on buying a new bag...thinking about getting a leather messenger bag. What do you guys think? During my internship, I might want to bring some bagged lunches / quick snacks to eat so I can get my meals in and still eat healthy. I also want to bring a notebook to take notes of questions I have, etc.

 
pds:
h.e.pennypacker:
I use a leather brief bag. It's got a strap like a messenger bag, handles like a brief case, and is a little bit smaller than your usual messenger bag.

Where did you buy it from and for how much? (Picture?)

I got an all black leather one from my dad.

You can buy one online at banana republic, http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=30845&vid=1&pid=586….

It's not black leather, but that's the idea.

Edit: It's pretty much this (fits a laptop): http://www.leathertree.com/xl-leather-computer-portfolio-408/

 
adapt or die:

***Official WSO Unacceptable Work Bags***

1) A large purse/ mom carry-all bag
2) School Bag e.g. LL Bean monogrammed, JanSport, Eddie Bauer, etc
3) Rolling suitcase style bags (if you cannot carry your laptop via your arms/shoulder you are a one-punch-kill)

<<< CONFIRMED >>>

This is actually hilarious :'-D

 

The bag I use looks similar to this (I don't have a picture of it, as it was made by a local leatherworker):

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/1071533286/Top-Quality-Mens-handmade…

It does the job for me and looks good. Granted, I'm not in a more image-driven sector of the finance world, so maybe it's uncouth or shitty, but I like it. I prefer a classic, naturally tanned leather look.

 

did you just post this thread to brag about how much you spent on a satchel?

to answer the question, I don't have a bag that I need to carry to work regularly. if I did happen to work in NYC, I'd probably have something a little more rugged and wouldn't spend >$700 on it

adapt or die is a jansport acceptable if you've written all of your favorite quotes in white out pen on it? or am I the only one that did this in middle school...

 

believe it or not, i was actually just curious. i found it quite difficult to find a bag that was properly made, had just the right amount of space, wasn't a backpack, looked elegant without being boring etc. i had the brand recommended to me by a friend who raved about it, checked it out and ordered. now i have to wait a couple of weeks to get my hands on it as the bags are made to order. hope it'll be worth the wait.

anyway, if one doesn't care for design i see why the topic might be of little interest.

as for jansport, i'm not bringing in anywhere near enough money to pull that off with my boss.

 

There are only two brands I've really seen: Tumi and Jack Spade (I have the former).

The third option it your banking duffle bag. Just don't mix that with your PE shop'd vest ;)

"If you want to succeed in this life, you need to understand that duty comes before rights and that responsibility precedes opportunity."
 

This thread is hilarious. I hope the next one will be about the types of underwear they wear in IB and how it affects your chances during recruiting.

You killed the Greece spread goes up, spread goes down, from Wall Street they all play like a freak, Goldman Sachs 'o beat.
 

If you're going for the sleek laptop carrier you probably could have just gone for a Tumi option which looks a little less "feminine". I understand your bag was expensive and probably is quite chic in Europe - but it reminds me of a cross between a Mansur Gavriel tote and the Tumi laptop bag I use (http://www.tumi.com/p/nina-commuter-brief-079391D).

 

Jansport '98 model. Jet black to match my mood in the morning. Carries all the essentials - Camelbak 750ml water bottle, sack lunch (PB&J + Cheese Its), current non-fiction book I am reading, glasses case, CFA books and flashcards, text books for work when needed, calculators (two), pens, pencils - you get the idea.

I am 100% serious. I also have a Tumi bag when I need it, but function > form for me.

 

Good variant is a leather briefcase. Apart from its functional role it also makes a man look classy and it is the definition of masculinity and professionalism. You can get anything from those with a vintage finish to modern ones and so you only have to choose what conforms to your tastes.

 

Fannypack.

Or get a regulator belt like I had when I was a Machoke - helps regulate my strength levels and doubles as a storage device!

4 arms are greater than none - Machamp
 

The best possible bag which is the one that I also got, Saddleback. You can see it from saddlebackleather.com. The best bag to buy. Very professional but very expensive. But at the same time you're not paying for a name brand like Gucci or Gurka or any other fancy pants company. These bags are of the highest quality. Look into it.

 
quantitativeman13:

The best possible bag which is the one that I also got, Saddleback. You can see it from saddlebackleather.com. The best bag to buy. Very professional but very expensive. But at the same time you're not paying for a name brand like Gucci or Gurka or any other fancy pants company. These bags are of the highest quality. Look into it.

They're way too heavy, even for leather bags. I wouldn't want to be carrying that around...

 

simple black leather messenger bag

You can go as expensive as you want here, but I'd stick to manufacturers that specialize in leather goods. Don't get an Armani bag for $2K because it isn't worth $2K. Used to wear a lot of brown and tan leathers, but I've kind of gotten bored of it and just stick to minimalism.

"Mr. Perkins poses an extreme risk to the market when drunk."
 

I have a standard black leather Ben Minkoff. I like it.

"For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Bloody Mary full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen."
 

I agree with quantitativeman13 - saddleback has great bags. They are expensive but they come with a 100 year warranty. Check out leatherlaptopbackpacks(dot)com to check out saddleback and some other great bags.

 
1styearanalyst1:
^Oh that is the standard at every BB? Well if that is the case you just saved me two hundred bucks haha. Do most people use that for work as well as training?

Yes, that's the standard for analysts during training. Some people get a bag once they start work, some people keep using it... no one really cares.

 

Doesn't really matter what you bring. Just don't get some insanely expensive bag and look douchey but also don't bring your shit to work in a plastic bag. Most firms give a nice company duffel or messenger bag during first week of training - if not the first day.

I see people in my office come with backpacks but play it safe until you know what's acceptable and what would be frowned upon.

 

VP at a BB - I started with an Allen Edmonds single gusset briefcase bag and love using that, very classy for any work environment. I recently switched it to a briefcase bag from the company “swag store” because it’s lightweight and I wanted to show some company pride.

 

Belt and shoes is a given, brown shoes and black belt literally makes my eyes water, but - some men are happy being repulsive to both sexes.

In regards to the bag/briefcase, I have seen both. I haven't seen a lot of people under 30 with briefcases, more of the messenger/document holder/etc. seems to be a lot more common.

Also, most common would be nothing at all - I mean unless you are taking lunch to work, you have your security pass, wallet and phone? Not much need for a bag.

'I'm jacked... JACKED TO THE TITS!!'
 

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