Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Briefcase vs Berluti Un Jour Briefcase: which one should you buy?

Where they differ

The Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Briefcase wins on woven leather briefcase with no logos. The Berluti Un Jour Briefcase answers with Venezia leather with hand-applied patina, one main compartment. Material: Intrecciato calf on the Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Briefcase, Venezia leather on the Berluti Un Jour Briefcase. Size: 39 x 29 x 7 cm on the Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Briefcase, 39 x 29 x 8 cm on the Berluti Un Jour Briefcase. Hardware: Gunmetal on the Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Briefcase, Palladium on the Berluti Un Jour Briefcase. Made in: Italy on the Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Briefcase, Italy on the Berluti Un Jour Briefcase.

Reasons to buy the Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Briefcase

Logo-free, Superb craft. What to accept: heavy, expensive. Usual price: $4,600–$5,300. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Briefcase review.

Reasons to buy the Berluti Un Jour Briefcase

Unique patina, Fine leather, Holds a laptop. What to accept: heavy, pricey. Usual price: $4,900–$5,600. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Berluti Un Jour Briefcase review.

Neither one?

Our list of the best briefcases and messenger bags has every other piece with its own call. Laptop sleeve: check the padded sleeve fits your laptop, including a case if you use one.

Also consider the Valextra Avietta Briefcase ($4,200–$5,000): clean briefcase. Buy it if you want logo-free make.

Also consider the Prada Re-Nylon and Saffiano Briefcase ($2,300–$2,700): Re-Nylon body with Saffiano trim. Buy it if you want a light designer brief.

Buyer tip

A briefcase gets daily wear, so buy the house’s most durable leather in black or dark brown; it will look better after five years than a trend color after one.

Buying in Europe: European prices include VAT (around 20%), while US prices exclude sales tax, so a bag can look cheaper in Paris or Milan than it really is. Visitors from outside the EU and UK can often claim a VAT refund on purchases made in the EU, which is why many Americans buy Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Hermès while travelling.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.