Some things have managed to make the crossover between the street and the workplace, like jeans and sneakers on casual Fridays, and office pools that allow non-mailroom employees to shout crazily about boxes without getting fired. For bags that get it done whenever, check Malcolm Fontier
Based-in-ATL Malcolm F's just released a fresh supply of man-satchels prepared for duty in the mean streets but that won't look out of place in the office, with new colors and features meshing utilitarian usage/durability with a city-slick profile, from a designer whose background includes making everything from office furniture to hole-punches, which apparently someone designs. All bags're made of soft bubble-textured, leather-looking polyurethane-coated canvas, starting with the smallish, essentials-only "Scout" w/ neoprene front pocket & book sleeve on the back, in island blue, brown, or black, then moving to the "Diplomat", in 13", 15", or 17"-laptop size, w/ linen lining, magnetic flap closure, and built-in pockets specifically designed for a wallet, boarding pass, and magazines -- so don't even think about shoving a newspaper in there. Next up's the spacious, white, black, or brown "Director" with gobs of pockets and an over-top belt closure, and the brown or black "Entertainer", which can fit a small laptop under its magnetic flap closure; that one's also available in the smaller "Traveler" size, or as the microfiber-handled, neoprene camera & laptop-pocketed "Entertainer Tech", which is stoked to doing anything other than fixing Whitney Houston's label maker while she hurls pumps and curses
Every Sunday 'til Labor Day, MF's hosting free Elevate pool parties at the W Hotel Downtown with ATL DJ's Mike Zarin and Chris Nicholson spinning house tunes while you swim, and featuring a weekly drawing in which a lucky reveler'll go home with a free sack -- just choose something else to call it when you shout about it at work.
