Professional-Looking Padfolios for Women
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Where can you get a great, professional padfolio for women lawyers and other businesswomen? Reader N wonders about a decent padfolio…
I have been searching for a decent padfolio for what feels like ages. It seems like everything out there is clunky and overly masculine. Where can I find a professional, but feminine or at least sophisticated padfolio? Help!
I remember hunting for something similar a few years ago. I wanted: something zippable and expandable, something that could hold my phone if I didn't have pockets and suddenly needed to carry a box (or 3) back to my office.
I also wanted something that I could keep “packed” with a notepad, pen/pencil/highlighter, lip gloss, hand cream, business cards, tape flags, and post-it notes and just grab and go.
Also key: I wanted something that looked nicer than a redweld or a Trapper Keeper. I finally found it at Office Max or Staples, but I remember having to hunt for a while. If I were looking today, these were the ones that I would choose (below).
Readers, do you use a padfolio at the office? Whether you're running to a quick meeting or working away from your office (e.g., in a conference room) all day, what do you grab with you to go?
Stay tuned for some of our favorite products for organizing your desk!
Our Latest Favorite Office Padfolios for Women
Some of our favorite women's padfolios for 2025 are below! If you want something monogrammed, check out Etsy, Leatherology, Levenger, Case-it, or (for a splurge), Smythson — you can still find them at Amazon, Target, or Walmart. (Also check out our roundup of executive clutches and leather document holders, as well as women's briefcases!)
The Most Professional Padfolio for Women
Case-It Tycoon Mini Padfolio
If you're hunting for something a bit smaller, this mini padfolio from Case-it is the perfect size for a calculator, pen, few cards, and so forth. It's also super affordable, priced below $20. It's a great padfolio for women who only want to carry a few things!
Smythson's Writing Folder
Smythson is a great spot to look if you want beautiful, quality leather products like notebooks and more. These writing folders are gorgeous!
They come in 4 colors in an envelope style for $625, as well as 5 colors in this zippered folder (pictured) for $725.
Leatherology's Classic Zippered Padfolio
Leatherology is another great store with beautiful leather portfolios, padfolios and more. The pictured option comes in five colors for $190, and can be personalized for a bit more money. (These make great gifts!)
Personalized Leather Clipboard with A4 Notepad Holder for Business from Etsy Seller PapRika
Etsy has a number of beautiful padfolios – this green leather one from Etsy seller PapRikaGoods is gorgeous.
I like how the leather looks well loved, and the unusual, saturated color is lovely. The shop has many great reviews; this particular “personalized leather clipboard with A4 Notepad Holder for Business” is $162 full price. It can be personalized inside or outside.
You can browse other Etsy sellers to find different colors or styles, and you might even be able to work with a seller to customize an item further, such as by adding pockets or zippers.
STYLIO Padfolio Portfolio Organizer Binder and Interview Resume Folder
Amazon has many padfolios — some of them leather, some of them zippered, and more! — but this pictured one is their #1 best seller in padfolios.
It's nice that it's under $20, but it is a bit light on some of the features we like to see — a zipper around the outside, a private, zippered space inside for a lip gloss or tampon, and so forth.
Still, for the price it's great!
This post was originally written in 2014, but updated as indicated throughout.
I like the red one pictured at the top of the post. Not crazy about black ones because they all look the same to me and if you’re at a meeting where everybody has one, it’s easy to mix up.
early TJ-
I had a second interview in early December. On Dec 30 I checked in on the timeline, and they said all candidates would be contacted shortly. Can I contact them again? Or just let it go?
Three weeks is plenty of time to do a check-in. I’d have a coherent statement of specific enthusiasm about the job. Sometimes schedules just get crazy.
I have one similar to this from Filofax in red
http://www.filofaxusa.com/store/businessdetails.asp?catId=10&productId=602
Hi all, I posted a couple of weeks ago about a dress from 6pm that ripped down the seam during my first wear. I contacted 6pm and they originally said that my only option was to return the dress for a refund. I was disappointed because I couldn’t find the dress anywhere else, and wanted to keep it, but felt uncomfortable paying full price for a defective product. After a little back and forth with the customer service reps, they agreed to refund about 40% of the purchase price. Their customer service was fantastic.
I don’t know if you’d like it (not too many compartments), but I really liked ones in Zara Men. Quite fashion-forward for men, so should fit the bill for a working lady! ;)
totally going to check out the recommendations!! I have a crappy one from Staples, so excited to upgrade it to something I actually like soon. thanks for this post!!
I highly recommend the Levenger Ambi Folio. Especially if you are a lefty. The pockets on the side are set up so you can use them, even with the paper on the left. I got mine on sale a while ago and is totally worth the money.
I recently bought this one: http://www.amazon.com/Pierre-Belvedere-Portfolio-Refillable-371010/dp/B004R72Q7W/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1390331654&sr=8-14&keywords=portfolio
in plum and I’m happy with it so far. It doesn’t zip and doesn’t have as many pockets but I was looking for something that would be nicer than a loose legal pad and this fits the bill.
Does the texture actually feel and look like leather?
I have never used one – just a pad of paper when going to get an assignment and a redweld with client file when meeting a client. My DH has that one above from Levenger. I would also like a bright-colored one if I were to get one.
Also have never used one, except in an interview. I go to meetings all the time, mostly with other lawyers, and the only people I’ve ever seen using a padfolio are interns or others that are overly worried about their image rather than their work/contributions.
I take my ipad and a yellow pad. Pen, business cards, and chapstick are in my blazer pocket. If I have more than that to carry, then I take a tote, where I can take the above, plus a water bottle. If the meeting is in my own building/office, I may have a file with me.
I rarely keep one either, though I do have one. Internal meetings, I just grab my composition notebook (I actually like that I can’t rip out the pages–nothing to get lost), a pen & some business cards. And my zoning ordinance. I agree that if I have to take more, I need to take a bag, rather than a clunky padfolio.
I carry my levenger notebook everywhere internally and put it in a slim tote for external meetings.
Me too. I have the Levenger Bomber Jacket Folio (non-zipper) and I L.O.V.E.it. I get so many compliments and it makes normal notepads look so elegant with the leather that folds over the top of the pad.
I recently bought this one, which holds an iPad:
Kensington Folio Trio For iPad 4 with Retina Display, iPad 3 and iPad 2 (K39577US)
http://amzn.com/B0085JFLZ2
That is EXACTLY what I was looking for! Thanks Amy!
It’s not technically a padfolio since it requires specially punched paper instead of a pad, but I am never without my Staples Arc notebook. It contains a custom-printed calendar, my to-do list, travel documents, articles I need to read, and essential documents for all of my current projects. When I travel, I also keep all of my interview protocols, presentation notes, etc. for the whole trip in it. It has saved my butt countless times. It is now available in lots of pretty colors, although mine is old and basic black.
I use mine when I go to court or meet with clients. I have a really nice black (simple) padfolio that has my initials on it from Levenger for around $100 ish.
Testing this thing called a smartphone.
http://www.lodis.com/leather/shop-womens/business-bags/portfolios/audrey-pda-portfolio/2850
I received this once I graduated from law school and I absolutely love it! The black has a nice red accent along the zipper. Doesn’t hold too much stuff, but I prefer it to be sleek and streamlined. Still looks brand new after daily use for years!! Definitely would recommend
Coach Outlet has beautiful, real leather padfolios for less than $60 if you can catch them on sale.
See Jane Work has some cute stuff – I bought the lime green leather Bella three ring notebook, and have used it for about 6 years at work. Looks like they have a few cute padfolios too.
http://www.seejanework.com/
I picked up a Jack Georges portfolio when a local luggage store went out of business, which is a great shade of red. Nice business card cases to match too.
Graphic image has great leather accessories
I am a HUGE fan of the Arc Customizable System from Staples. The name-brand is sometimes called “M.” It comes with a hole punch and paper, it’s the best.
Here’s what I have and love it!
http://www.wilsonsleather.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3465324&cp=2446816.1831995&parentPage=family
I actually have one from Barnes and noble. They have multiple sizes and the best feeling leather
My FAVE and had my initials embossed: http://levenger.com/Bomber-Jacket-Tyler-Folio-6134.aspx