Ralph Lauren Briefcase

Vintage and designer briefcases and attachés are the most common varieties of personal luggage. Whether you’re commuting daily or working from home more often and occasionally heading into the city for meetings, a briefcase or slim attaché case can be a fashionable and functional accessory when you’re on the go.

So, what is the difference between a briefcase and an attaché?

The difference is subtle. It depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re not eyeing a vintage tote bag or messenger bag because your needs are a bit more specific, one of these items may be for you.

The term “briefcase” emerged from the legal field because lawyers typically carried their briefs to court in leather cases. Briefcases are usually flat and rectangular and are outfitted with a lock to protect the contents. They may feature a sleeve or large exterior pocket for easy accessibility. Today, briefcases aren’t crafted only from leather; they are made in a wide variety of materials such as vinyl, metal and durable fabric.

The attaché — technically a type of slim, small briefcase — is a portable box-shaped case that opens into two separate compartments. A briefcase, on the other hand, will usually open into one main compartment. An attaché is also often expected to operate on a hinged metal frame. Originally, attachés were ideal for carrying important documents and papers to and from offices. In French, the original use for the term “attaché” was to refer to a member of an ambassador’s staff, specifically an administrative employee who transported documents to and fro in a slender case.

While you could potentially use the two interchangeably, venturesome designers over the years have sought to improve both briefcases and attachés. Legendary luxury houses such as Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Chanel offer distinguished and stylish but highly practical versions of these accessories. The briefcases and attachés of today feature leather trim and other decorative exterior embellishments, gold hardware and spacious interiors. They come in a range of shapes, sizes and colors to fit the needs of their fussy owners.

The collection of vintage and designer briefcases and attachés on 1stDibs has everything from rugged leather cases to understated canvas accessories that are perfect for the morning commute. Find yours today.