One of the classic minimalist workplace holdalls is the zip portfolio. By design, it’s clean, simple, and meant to transport one’s papers and files in a low-profile sort of way. a leather folio is practical but also personal and often thoughtfully chosen. Sort of a workplace male clutch that holds a few things you really need when on the go.
There is also a whiff of academic geekiness to them. Paired with a tweed jacket, rumpled khakis, and horn-rimmed eyeglasses, the leather zip portfolio becomes an intellectual signifier. One can easily imagine the contents being indicative of brainy or businessy purpose; reports to grade, contracts to sign, monographs to read, a favorite fountain pen or notepad picked up in Paris.
As with other work-focused accesories, like briefcases, zip portfolios don’t really translate into everyday life or casual, non-work situations. They are typically too large or organized in a way that benefits work materials at the expense of a wallet, phone, or earbuds.
J. Panther Luggage Co., one of our longtime favorite brands, is a label that continually seeks to put a fresh and innovative spin on iconic bags and everyday carry gear. So, when they took on the zip folio, we were excited about the outcome. Turns out that we had good reason.
What JPLC did with their DocFolio Zip Around Portfolio and Tablet Holder, (other than give it a long name) was to take the classic and practical design of a traditional zip portfolio, shrink it slightly, and pare down to the design essentials. The result is a handy, hand-held folio crafted in their signature textured Horween leather that is meant to be used throughout your day – not just at the office.
It’s proportioned for casual use and does not look or feel like a “work” accessory. The The interior is lined with Alcantara®, a Japanese-developed, Italian-made material that has a suede-like texture while being highly durable and stain-resistant. The DocFolio zips open on three sides and can lay flat book-like style, showcasing an interior that offers a cleanly organized pocket layout.
On the left side, a leather panel with two large pen sleeves – a JPLC signature design element – is perfect for a note pad, cards, or small papers. The right side is blank, save for a surprisingly large zip pocket smartly oriented for easy opening when carrying the DocFolio. Lined in a bright red cotton, this pocket exemplifies another JPLC design trait – multi-carry thinking. You don’t have to put it down to easily access your keys, metro pass, or business card.
