Shop for a briefcase and you’ll find myriad options, almost all of them ugly. That there are so many choices speaks to the resurgence of the briefcase (or “business case,” as it’s known in the trade). Sales sank in the 1990s as business casual came into vogue, hurting brands such as Mark Cross, which closed in 1997 after 152 years in the leather-goods trade. But business cases are coming back, in a revival fueled by the need to carry that ubiquitous laptop. Sales were up 9.9 percent last year, with average prices up 12.4 percent. Still, it’s hard to find a case that does the job and looks good too.

Our requirements: room for a laptop, its cord, a palmtop, a sheaf of documents, and a newspaper. We also wanted a case that could survive the scrutiny of a sartorially discerning client, so too-casual options like messenger bags were out.

After many hours of research and test runs, we found four functional cases that don’t look like your dad’s old box-with-handles. Our top choice: a customizable model of durable skirting leather (usually used for Western saddles), from Myron and Kari Glaser, of San Francisco’s Glaser Designs, who hand-finish their leather. The other three are well-built but flawed: The Bill Amberg, while sleek, loses points on practicality; the Mulberry feels flimsy, given its high price; and the Zegari, our first choice for laptops, holds little else. Which is all good news for anyone with designs for a great bag. It’s a seller’s market.

The word briefcase, in use since the 1920s, is an etymological variant of the term brief bag, for the model used by British barristers to transport briefs to and from court. U.S. nuclear codes reside in a black-leather-covered metal case made by the Zero Corp. Variously known as the Nuclear Football, the Knapsack (to George W. Bush aides), and the Gameboy (Bill Clinton’s term), it’s carried by a military aide wherever the president goes. The NBC show Deal or No Deal has boosted the briefcase’s profile: The $69.95 aluminum version carried by the show’s models is made by Mezzi, a Canadian company.

Glaser Designs
Deal Bag
$1,025
The good: Rugged and classic-looking, the Deal Bag doesn’t sacrifice function for form. There are plenty of interior compartments and an easy-access pocket for your morning paper. Glaser can also make custom inserts.
The bad: Built to last also means heavy—it’s 5 pounds, 12 ounces.

Bill Amberg
Rocket Bag
$1,335 for aluminum handles and feet; $4,600 for sterling silver
The good: Named for the shape of its side panels, this bag wins the beauty contest. Weighing 4 pounds, 9 ounces, it has a water-resistant leather exterior and unisex style.
The bad: No laptop padding, no outside pockets.

Mulberry
Heathcliffe   
$1,195
The good: The distressed-leather Heathcliffe has many compartments and a retro design that ­reflects Mulberry’s British roots. At 3 pounds, 2 ounces, it’s easy to tote.
The bad: Pricey, considering its lack of sturdiness and amenities. 

Zegari
Minimalist   
$285
The good: Zegari’s case is light (3 pounds, 5 ounces), with well-organized inside pockets—surprising, given its small size. The simple design would suit men or women.
The bad: More of a laptop bag, this one won’t carry much beyond your electronics.