Customer Reviews

Mcklein USA 94835 Winnetka W Series Italian Leather Ladies Briefcase - Black

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have started traveling for business and needed to replace my existing computer bag. My old one was a soft cloth Jantzen bag in which I could stuff everything - laptop, files, extra cable, purse contents, etc. Of course it weighed a ton afterward! :-) It also did not look like a computer bag (which I loved).

The features that sold me on this bag were:
1.) Looks - it may be hard to tell in photos, but there is stitching detail around the bag that helps to set off the bag design. My husband likes that more than I do, but I have to admit it is a nice detail. I, too, chose the red - a very nice, dark red color.

2.) The extra pocket in front - great to grab pens, glasses, keys, airline boarding passes, small (and I mean small) notebook, etc.

3.) I thought I would enjoy having the laptop sleeve - I've been looking for a laptop bag that had almost a 'bag within a bag' so that I could carry the larger bag while traveling and when at a customer site, carry a small, sleek bag with just the laptop and charger. However, this is not the bag for that. Due to the width limitations (discussed below), I have not used the sleeve at all.

4.) Length / width: length would accommodate my laptop and width was somewhere 'in the middle' of laptops being offered on the market.

What I do like about the bag is:
1.) Its looks - as I said, very professional

2.) Leather quality and color - it adds some weight to have a leather bag over a nylon or cloth one, but there is nothing better for longetivity. I expect the leather to age nicely. The red color should complement anything I choose to wear.

3.) There is a pocket on the front (described above) and two additional zippered compartments inside.

4.) The handles are a good length to put over the shoulder without having to have another shoulder strap. (I'm 5'5") I can easily carry the bag over my shoulder or with my hand.

5.) It does allow me to carry the minimal amount of things I need to bring with me on a business trip.

What I don't like about this bag:
1.) The bag looks so nice, I wanted to use it both as a purse and a laptop bag so I could conveniently travel with just 2 items - it and my roll-on suitcase. The laptop bag needs to be a bit wider to achieve that. I could not add my wallet (the bag would not zip) until I took out photos and some extraneous frequent purchase cards. Also, all pockets are very deep so it is hard to keep your lipstick, for example, easily accessible without having to dig through everything else at the bottom of a pocket. (I'm thinking of finding (making) some zippered bags to keep similar items together - easier to find and store in the pocket.)

2.) As mentioned by another reviewer, the middle zippered pocket, where you would expect to be able to put a notebook portfolio, will not accommodate it. So that means that it must be put in the same compartment where you put your peripherals - charger, mouse, cable, wallet, etc. Not a big problem, but you have to ensure you've shoved the peripherals aside so the portfolio can slide to the bottom. If you only travel with a few loose papers or a paper pad without the portfolio cover, this would not be a problem.

3.) A small item, there is a nice key holder hook in the front pocket, but it needs to have a longer length. It is so short, you can't raise it up to hook your keys onto it. You must put your hand with your keys inside the not-very-wide pocket and manage to slide your keys onto the hook. However, handy to find your keys, once done. (I'm getting better at it)

This bag is really nice. lots of room. I dont use the laptop sleeve in this or any of my bags so i can have more room for files with the laptop. My 15" sony fits great along with the periferals. the leather is soft but sturdy. handle is a nice over the shoulder length without being too long. it's a little darker and a tiny bit greyer than i was expecting but the color is beautiful. my only complaint is that the center zippered file compartment is not quite wide enough for a file folder. a little incovenient but the bag is beautiful. Wish i coudl afford one in every color.

This is my second McKlein USA bag and I am pleased once again. It's a beautiful bag and I get compliments about once a week. The quality is top-notch and not only is it attractive but also very durable. I generally carry it over my shoulder and the handle is plenty long enough to be comfortable for my 5'9 frame. The front pocket has a nice organizer. My only complaint is that it could be a little bit deeper in order to accomodate more easily my medium sized water bottle. This bag is more of a streamline breifcase so if you plan on lugging a bunch of stuff around, this is not the bag for you. It's also a made of a thick leather and is definitely not the lightest bag available. For the price, an excellent bag.

Love this bag!!
I have gotten complements on how it looks.
Not a lot of room after my laptop is in there
but it holds everything I need. Easy to get the
laptop in and out of bag with the removable
sleeve.

I purchased this bag for my daughter who is currently student teaching and will start her teaching career after she graduates in May. This is something that will probably last her all of her teaching career as it is extremely well-made and very classic in design. She was absolutely thrilled with it. I would recommend this to any professional woman.

I found the case to be very heavy and the straps too short to comfortably fit on my shoulder. When I chose the black case I did not look at the large photo and missed that it was not all black, but black and with red accents. The shipping was VERY fast. The case appeared to be of very good quality, it was just way too heavy when empty.

I originally bought one of these as a gift for my sister for her college graduation and loved it so much I bought one for myself! The leather is quality and the bag is very classy and professional looking. There are a decent number of pockets and the front one has places for pens, etc. If I had one criticism of the bag it is that it is a little heavy. It would be nice if the handles could be a bit wider for carrying. All in all, it is a nice bag and I have received many complements on it. I also feel like it is a steal at this price for the quality of the leather.

I just received this briefcase, I ordered the Aqua Blue. I took it with me while doing some last minute Christmas shopping. I got stopped by three women asking me if this was a Tiffany & Co. bag. If Tiffany & Co. did sell women's briefcases this one would be it! If you're meeting the Big Boys for a meeting, this briefcase isn't it, take your black short-handled brief, this one may be just a bit too feminine. But for everyday use this is the quintessential fashion conscious must-have accessory.

I purchased this briefcase in red for my girlfriend 8 months ago, it looks great and she loved it. She travels a great deal for work and it still looks brand new after months of hauling her laptop around through airport security. It is a great deal!

Great looking bag! Love the color & finish. My 15" laptop is a snug fit directly into the bag. Can not use the padded sleeve provided for my laptop (could be useful for smaller laptops). The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because I could use a little more room in the bag for other stuff. Right now I can fit my laptop w/charger & wireless mouse, eReader w/charger, iPhone w/charger and my long large wallet, if I organize it well. Small, thin makeup case may also fit in for your travels.