Tips: how to choose and wear a men's bag?

While carrying a bag has long been considered sacred among women, it has recently become commonplace among men, thus breaking with a long tradition which crudely only tolerated the briefcase for men.

And for good reason, it is very practical and often turns out to be interesting from a stylistic point of view. We will therefore see, in this article, how to tame this accessory which has, for us too, become completely necessary.

Let's see together which are the easiest models of men's bags to wear and the mistakes to avoid. As usual, find our selection of good brands of men's bags at the end of the article!

CAN A MAN CARRY A BAG? (SPOILER: YES)

Its practical utility and its accessorizing power make it a piece that every human being, man and woman, must consider. To those who would say that the bag is too feminine or would hesitate to take the plunge, I answer that everyone has the right to carry their personal effects (wallet, papers, books, water bottle, glasses, etc.) without deforming their pockets or risking losing anything.

For all these reasons, it is obvious that the bag has its place in the outfit of a modern man.

THE CRITERIA THAT BETRAY THE QUALITY OF A BAG

We don't change good habits: the first thing to look at is the material . Look for a nice leather, thick enough, that takes the light well. The same goes for canvas: a poor quality fabric risks tearing with wear.

Also observe the materials used : robustness of the zips and other closing systems, metal inserts connecting the handles to the body of the bag, etc.

Finally, the finishing touches . For example, check that the edges are clean . Not forgetting the lining used, the care taken with the inside pockets, the thickness of the thread or the regularity of the stitches. In this case, the best is the saddle stitch: the seam does not give way if the thread breaks, because each stitch is in fact a knot.

WHAT MATERIAL TO CHOOSE?

A bag must first and foremost be durable. The first thing you should think about is: "Will it hold up when loaded?" If you are a city dweller, choose a thick canvas or leather. The perfect example is the Filson: this bag is virtually indestructible and develops a nice patina over the years.

For the canvas, choose a water-repellent one ideally: it is always unpleasant to find your clothes soaked at the end of a rainy day. If you are moving towards more formal styles, a full-grain leather will be perfect and will become more beautiful over time.

Plastic materials are to be avoided: they will not hold up and will deteriorate instead of becoming more refined over time. Leathers that are rather vulgar, too patinated or too ribbed are also recommended. Once again, it is important to choose a bag that will accompany you for a long time because this accessory is timeless.

For a leather bag, don't expect to pay less than 300 euros for a quality model. Below that, the leather will be of poor quality and it's immediately noticeable.

WHAT TYPE OF BAG TO CHOOSE?

There are several types of bags to meet everyone's needs. As you will have understood, the size of a bag varies depending on your daily life and the use you wish to make of it. There is no magic formula that will allow you to carry a single bag for all your actions.

1. THE 24H BAG

This is the basic urban bag for everyday use: you can put your computer, charger, wallet, a book, your toothbrush in it, in short, everything you need to get through the day without any logistical problems.

It's a very handy bag when you have clothes to carry, like your sports gear or a light jacket in case the weather turns cold.

2. THE 48H BAG (OR “WEEKENDER”)

Same concept as the 24-hour bag except that its volume will allow you to last two days instead of one! Logical. This bag for nomads must be practical: it can hold a lot of objects without weighing you down, unlike a sports bag.

It can remain elegant if you take it sober and in beautiful materials 4. It is the ideal bag for a weekend with friends, as its name suggests.

So this is the format that we recommend by default. And that's good, because it's the one we come across most often.

In the photo above, see how the two-material approach proves to be relevant: a thick canvas with leather finishes allows you to ensure elegance without compromising on the robustness of the piece. A winning bet!

2. THE TOTE BAG (AKA THE TOTE BAG)

Although its unstructured and lightweight appearance has long been debated, the "tote" has become a major part of our lives and has ended up becoming essential for everyday use.

Well worn, it remains rather elegant, and above all very practical. It is the ideal bag for a casual outing in town, when the briefcase is too formal and the 24-hour bag too big for a few hours of walking.

It is often seen worn in summer, as it is usually made of canvas, but the thick canvas models are perfectly usable in four seasons.

Its very simple construction and its stripped-down, very sober lines have made it a great challenge for some workwear brands like Filson or Thrux Lawrence. This is also the case for Carhartt, which works it in 12oz canvas.

The most curious will take a look at the Heddels website's selection of tote bags . In France, we really like Bleu de Chauffe tote bags .

3. THE BAG

Characteristic of more casual outfits, it will leave your hands free in transport or on a bike, while generally displaying a nice capacity. Pay attention to the material : avoid fabric or polyester if you are over 25 and opt for a beautiful, rich and smooth dipped lambskin, which will have a much better effect.

I do, however, have a huge problem with wearing a shoulder bag with a blazer or coat with structured shoulders. The friction of the strap and the weight of the bag tend to badly (and irreversibly) deform the padding on the shoulder .

On the other hand, in looks with pieces without shoulder padding (bomber, parka, denim jacket), it is an ideal bag!

4. THE BACKPACK

The backpack is often shunned by adults and adored by teenagers, which suggests its practicality. You can store all your belongings in it, while making phone calls and enjoying a lemon sorbet. You just have to make the right choice.

In recent years, it has made a strong comeback and has become an object where technology and design blend harmoniously. The "backpack" section of the brilliant Carryology website is incredibly useful and well-stocked, it's where I would go if I wanted to buy a backpack tomorrow.

Here again, avoid the teenage look by sporting brightly coloured polyester bags - unless you have a decidedly streetwear style and know what you're doing. Besides, vintage designs work very well and ensure you stand out from the classic Eastpak bags.

5. THE DOCUMENT HOLDER

The businessmen 's favorite bag. Today, they are produced in all sorts of ways, but too often badly. Like the suit, this accessory has become part of the codes and is therefore too often chosen by default. " I need one anyway, I have no choice."

Break these codes! By searching a little, you can easily find a tasteful alternative. So avoid huge flaps and hook clasps, which will make you fall into the cliché of the math teacher from the 30s. The 256 model from Filson has become cult, it is a good example of sober, robust, and timeless design.

6. THE PORTFOLIO

The most distinguished, but also the most cumbersome form of the bag family. Having no handles, it is carried in the hand.

The choice of material is essential: plastic would not hold up and would make the piece lose all its allure. It is a type that has become very trendy, which we saw a lot at Pitti, but the total absence of the slightest handle can make it difficult or even annoying to wear. All the more so if you plan to walk a lot in a day, like at a trade show for example.

Note that this type of "briefcase" bag is very rare among women, which has led some tactical equipment brands like Magpul to have fun offering them in various formats.

MEN'S BAG MODELS TO AVOID

1. THE ATTACHÉ-CASE

For the reasons mentioned above (briefcase), it is forbidden to carry a bag like this, especially if you are barely 20 years old and going to your first job.

2. THE SHOULDER BAG

We see them a lot on the street, but that's obviously not why we should imitate this style. Sure, it's very practical for storing your cell phone and wallet, but it generally won't do your look any favors. It's also not the height of elegance because of its disproportion.

Consider the option of clothing with pockets, such as cargo pants or a safari jacket!

3. THE SPORTS BAG

Why is it forbidden to carry a sports bag away from the training route? Precisely because it is a sports bag... and of course because it usually smells (very) bad! It is a bad reflex that men are adopting more and more and that should be eradicated.

WHAT COLOR SHOULD YOU CHOOSE YOUR BAG?

Surprisingly, this is the question that continues to preoccupy many people. It's simple: any! Brown leather is the most versatile , but you can also go completely wild with the color if the leather is beautiful. However, certain shades will work better with certain styles.

Colors that we sometimes think of least can turn out to be excellent choices (for example: sand, gray, petrol blue).

• The urban/adventurer style: choose rather simple, soft colors that blend into the crowd without being sad. Sand, khaki, cream, gray, blue, brown tones are safe bets.
• Street/student style: you can let loose on bright colors, that's what makes this style live. For backpacks, avoid brands that are too mainstream , there are young designers who offer bright colors on very good quality bags.
• Dressy style: At BonneGueule, we prefer brown to black, but you shouldn't put it aside if it's a color you know well and you own many formal shoes in this color.

WHERE TO FIND A GOOD MEN'S BAG AND FOR WHAT PRICE?

Avoid bags like Zara or Mango Homme that will only last you one season. Dare to spend more for a piece that will last you 15 years (the average life of a good bag) rather than buying a low-end bag every year. If you don't have the budget to buy a beautiful leather bag right away, get canvas, even if it means saving for later.

As with all products, you will find bags to suit all budgets.

1. FOR ENTRY-LEVEL, PREFER BACKPACKS

It's a risk to take if you don't have a lot of budget. But you can find pretty well built canvas backpacks, it's the only effective piece for a relatively low price. For the rest, move on.

The 48h have a design that is increasingly worked on in major brands, but as far as solidity is concerned, it's a different story. The shoulder straps often break under the weight of your belongings (I speak from experience).

Our selection of good entry-level bag brands:

• Faguo : you can find all models, also in canvas, and always for less than 100 euros. The bag will not last you 10 years but it is a good compromise for the entry level.
• Qwstion : different models of canvas bags around 100/200 euros. For the price, the quality is more than correct and they are solid.

2. LOTS OF MID-RANGE BAG MODELS

Here is the right solution, you will find more refined bags, better worked, with noble materials, for an affordable price. Beware of the big over-marketed brands such as Sandro, The Kooples and others, who will offer you very expensive products for mediocre quality.

Look to young designers, or specialists like Meilleur Ami , you are sure to never be disappointed. It is a market where we see very pretty French brands flourish, with a fair and honest approach: the designs are interesting, the quality follows. We might as well support them 🙂

Our selection of good mid-range bag brands:

• Léo et Violette : one of the best quality/price ratios on the market for simple and elegant leather bags. Expect to pay around 250 euros.
• Almaré : very good brand for travel bags with a clean and elegant design. The canvas is high quality (cotton canvas). Around 300 euros.
• Léon Flam : bags inspired by the great era of aviation, a good choice of colors and quality manufacturing. From 165 to 450 euros.

• Army Workshop : the brand reinterprets the military universe through its bags. From 300 euros.
• Calabrese 1924 : very beautiful leather travel bags. Around 500 euros.

• Raccagni are for example galvanized). Expect to pay more than 600 euros, but you won't get better at that price.
• Dajczman : excellent quality bags designed to last a lifetime. Also, a custom-made service. Expect to pay more than 1,500 euros.