After a bit of a hiatus on business travel, I was back on the road again this week.
That meant dressing appropriately — jacket and tie, if you please.
And whenever I wear a suit or an odd jacket (or sportscoat, for those not familiar with the term), I bring along a trusty accessory.
My pocket briefcase.
I discovered this indispensable accoutrement when I was on one of my bargain hunting trips in the original Filene’s Basement during my grad school years.


The idea is you have this slim case that holds 3" x 5" cards, both displayed and stored, and you can take notes on the go.
Because thoughts will come to you and you’ll make observations, and you won’t want to forget them. Jotting these down in the moment is essential to capturing your mood, your creativity, and your resting brain — something that doesn’t always happen when you’re holding an electronic device in your hand.
The pocket briefcase is perfect for that.
There are options for the types of cards you can fill it with: blank, vertically lined, grid, to-do lists, and even personalized ones.



For those who prefer a notebook, there are options. Field Notes makes a lovely small notebook, and you can get them in 3-packs.
The leather-covered pocket jotter is a nice option too. It’s the kind of thing you might see detectives using in police procedurals.
In addition to the links above, you can also check out what Levenger has to offer. They’re an excellent premium choice.
Whatever you choose, when you pull out a paper-based object to record your thoughts, you’ll look Classy AF.
I carry a Moleskine notebook and blue Le Pen .25mm.