20 Essentials Every Professional Should Carry in their Briefcase

The key to staying professional? Preparation. And that means knowing what to carry in your briefcase.

The right work essentials will help you nail whatever the day brings. Keeping yourself clean and fresh to make a good impression. Having the right docs on hand, digital or physical. And making good use of your commute with the little ‘you’ time you have chill on the way home.

And when it comes to storing those essentials at the ready, Stuart & Lau (the carry-savvy sponsors of this article) have the bag to step up your business game. The award-winning Cary Briefcase, a sophisticated, premium choice for the professional who wants to stand out for all the right reasons.

So with the above in mind, here’s what to carry in your briefcase to keep you prepared, looking good, and entertained.

Altoids Mints (from US$2.99)

Fresh breath in a work environment is important. And these Altoids mints do the trick, with a handy carry tin that you can slip inside a clothing pocket or briefcase for easy portability. Plus there’s a variety of flavors to choose from, not to mention the reusable tin once they’re finished.

Rhodia A7 Pocket Size Side-Stapled Notebook (US$4.59)

Just been struck by a great idea? Need to do a quick sketch? Jotting down some meeting notes? This pocket-friendly notebook lets you commit important ideas and information to paper there and then. It offers 48 sheets of 80 g pH neutral, acid-free graph paper with a smooth finish. And the covers are coated for added durability and water resistance.

Tide to Go Instant Stain Remover (from US$4.99)

Pesky stains aren’t just annoying. They can detract fast from your polished, professional image. But the Tide to Go Instant Stain Remover is designed to tackle stains on the spot. The easily portable stain pen aims to remove fresh food and drink stains easily and quickly. Perfect for that important meeting coming up right after lunch.

Kent 20T Folding Pocket Comb (US$14)

Looking neat is key when projecting a professional image. And this Kent 20T Folding Pocket Comb helps you stay looking sharp throughout the day. The folding design can be carried easily in a pocket or bag so it’s ready if you need it and out of the way if you don’t. It’s handmade with rounded, fine teeth and is a solid addition to your grooming setup.

Oars + Alps Cooling + Cleansing Wipes (US$16)

From sweaty active commutes to pulling long nights at the office or tiring business travel, these Oars + Alps Cooling + Cleansing Wipes are a simple way to inject some TLC into your work carry. The wipes feature two different sides to help freshen you up. The Arctic Blue Ice Crystal side removes dirt and sweat and exfoliates, while the caffeine side helps to soothe puffy skin. And with menthol for energizing and ginseng root extract to help stimulate the skin’s metabolism, you can feel refreshed on the go whatever the day or night brings. Plus they’re handy for tackling ink or grease stains too.

Anker PowerCore II Slim 10000 (US$35.99)

Want to ensure your phone doesn’t die while waiting for an important call? Need to keep your tablet juiced on the go? The Anker PowerCore II Slim 10000 lets you easily and quickly recharge USB devices on the move. The 10000mAh portable charger can be recharged in four hours using a Quick Charge Charger and is slim enough to slide in a pocket or bag.

Bellroy Classic Pouch (US$49)

Charging cables. USB drives. Toiletries. Earphones. Stationery. No matter what you do work-wise, you’re likely carrying at least a few small items each day. And there’s no need to waste time hunting for them in a bag when you can store them at the ready in the clean and compact Bellroy Classic Pouch. A choice of pockets and a wide opening make it easy to access items, while the collapsible design allows for convenient storage when not in use.

Blunt Metro Umbrella (US$60)

An umbrella designed to endure winds up to 55mph? With a wind-shearing, crowd-friendly and portable design? Meet the Blunt Metro, which features a radial tensioning system with telescopic ribs and Blunt™ tips to withstand heavy winds and rain while avoiding sharp, pointy tips. Great for staying dry during the commute and simple to store using the Cary Briefcase’s umbrella holder straps.

Bellroy Notebook Cover Mini (US$79)

The Bellroy Notebook Cover Mini is a handsome multifunctional notebook cover that fits notebooks up to 3.5 x 5.5 inches in size and also doubles as a passport holder. Made with premium environmentally certified leather, the notebook cover will hold up to daily use while looking good doing so. And with space for a pen, card slots and a quick and easy magnetic closure, it’s a chic and compact organizer for small essentials.

Karas Kustoms Fountain K Pen (from US$80)

The Karas Kustoms Fountain K Pen combines a functional tool and statement piece in one. Made in the USA, the fountain pen is available in a choice of brass, aluminum and copper. It features a thread-on cap, stainless steel pocket clip, and comes with a Schmidt K5 cartridge converter and five black Monteverde short international ink cartridges.

Carl Friedrik iPhone Xs Max Pocket Case (US$83)

Your phone deserves protection. But who says you can’t add a little style to the mix too? The Carl Friedrik iPhone Xs Max Pocket Case offers both. Made with Italian vegetable-tanned leather, the case features folded edges and a soft microfiber lining. Designed to age beautifully with use, this chic leather phone case also provides a quick-access card slot for added functionality.

Kindle Paperwhite 8GB (US$129.99)

Forget the days of hauling heavy books. The Kindle Paperwhite offers the ability to hold a library in your hands. Great for catching up on your favorite stories or audiobooks during your commute or work travel. The slim, lightweight, waterproof device is easy to store in your work bag and offers glare-free reading even in sunlight, plus a battery that can go weeks before requiring recharging.

Stuart & Lau Slim Wallet (US$135)

Form and function are beautifully melded with Stuart & Lau’s Slim Wallet. Crafted with vegetable-tanned full-grain Italian leather, the wallet holds 10 cards while maintaining a slim, minimalist design. The RFID-blocking interior provides peace of mind, while a quick-access exterior slot stashes frequently used cards at the ready. And a suede-lined bill pocket keeps your notes crisp and easily accessible.

Stuart & Lau Laptop Sleeve (US$135)

With its clever expanding concertina design and premium look and feel, the Stuart & Lau Laptop Sleeve instantly promotes your tech carry in style and function. Made with weatherproof DuraLite™ fabric and magnetic closures on the top flap, the laptop sleeve fits up to 15″ devices, with additional pockets to store documents, magazines, valuables or other items you may want close to hand.

Le Labo Thé Noir 29 Travel Tube (US$162)

Presenting a professional front isn’t just about looking smart. It’s about smelling good too. Because let’s face it, body odor isn’t going to help you conquer the boardroom. But with this Le Labo Thé Noir 29 Travel Tube at the ready, a confidence boost is just a simple spray away. Offering a refined blend of fragrance notes including bergamot, fig, bay leaves, cedarwood and musk, it’s a suave addition to your work grooming kit. And with its convenient portable design, it’s simple to carry in your work bag and on your travels.

Samsung Portable SSD T5 1TB (US$167.99)

Need somewhere to store and transport important files, folders, images, videos and more? The 1TB Samsung Portable SSD T5 has you covered, providing plenty of storage space complemented by fast transfer speeds up to 540 MB/s. Compatible with numerous devices, it comes with USB Type C to C and USB Type C to A cables. All in a lightweight, compact, shock-resistant design that’s easy to store in a pouch, bag or even your pocket.

Ettinger Visiting Card Case (US$175)

Handing over your business card (and receiving others in return) is a ritual that deserves respect. And the Ettinger Visiting Card Case brings undisputed elegance to the act, helping you make a good impression while also providing protection for fragile cards. The case is crafted with a smooth calf leather exterior and soft drummed cowhide interior. A gusseted pocket stores your cards, with slip pockets on hand for cards you receive. And its versatile design also makes for a great minimalist wallet when you just need to carry a few cards and cash.

Raen Optics Wiley Alchemy Polarized Sunglasses (US$195)

Want to avoid the sun’s uncomfortable glare during your daily commute or a meeting taking place outside? These polarized Wiley Alchemy sunglasses add dapper eye protection to your carry setup. They’re made by hand and feature an acetate frame with metal chassis and Carl Zeiss Vision CR-39 lenses. The sunglasses also come with a polyester felt carrying case and a polishing cloth.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E4 Earphones (US$250)

Looking for noise-cancelling earphones without an overt over-ear design? The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E4 Earphones combine understated in-ear style with Active Noise Cancellation. However, Transparency Mode lets you easily switch off the music to listen to your surroundings if required. The earphones provide up to 20 hours of play time in a comfortable design that comes with a range of ear tip sizes.

Apple MacBook Pro 13″ Laptop (US$1749.99)

The most important tool for many professionals is their laptop. And the Apple MacBook Pro 13″ helps you perform a multitude of tasks quickly and efficiently. With its fast processing, sleek aesthetics and features such as a Touch Bar and up to 10 hours of battery life, you’re ready to take on a variety of work tasks in suitably professional style.

This article is sponsored by Stuart & Lau. Check out their Cary Briefcase collection here.