For 10 years, I have been a fervent defender of one particular bag format for everyday use: the 24h.
It is carried by hand, has a removable shoulder strap, a large central pocket and one or two additional pockets on the front. Its capacity is around 12/13 liters.
An iconic model in this category is the Filson original briefcase :
A beautiful object!
I am surprised to see few men carrying such bags on the street. However, I think it has many advantages.
Why I love 24h bags
1. Its size is ideal
The capacity of a 24h is perfectly suited to what I need on a daily basis. I can store:
- A computer
- A bottle of water
- One or two items of clothing if the weather gets a bit colder: a scarf and/or a small sweater
- A wallet
- Some other small matters
In short, everything I need.
The space available in a Filson 24h bag. Not too big, not too small
I've heard before that this storage space is too big.
This is something I completely understand. However, I still think it is a good format:
- It is better to have a little bigger than what you usually need because this space can be useful in certain situations, to store purchases or a package that you have collected for example and to avoid having several bags on you.
- A bag that is not completely full is not really a problem . The 24h format is suitable for urban use, so even if it is not full, it will not be shocking.
2. By hand or on the shoulder: it is practical
What I really like about the 24h is the possibility of carrying the bag by hand but also on the shoulder thanks to the integrated shoulder strap.
I mostly carry my bag by hand, but I sometimes put it on my shoulder when I need to have both hands free: on public transport for example, or if I have a package to carry.
3. It is versatile and stylish
I think that the choice of a bag should support a style approach , and not just a utilitarian aspect. If you have a rather dressed style, you should not wear a bag that is too casual like a backpack for example, even if it is an easy, practical choice.
Many people like the casual chic style and I think the 24h bag is perfect in this style register.
It is more elegant than the backpack because it is carried by hand.
It is more casual than the leather briefcase in terms of its material, usually cotton, and its shape, often a little busier than that of very refined briefcases.
You can also modulate your style.
It can be a little more chic:
Chic but not too much. Sandqvist
It can also be more workwear:
This Bleu de Chauffe bag clearly tends towards workwear with the use of thick green cotton with a weathered appearance.
From a style point of view, I find that the 24-hour bag goes with everything: jeans, chinos, cargo pants, sweatshirts, sneakers, derbies, blazers, parkas, etc. It has a Swiss army knife look that I like.
What I criticize about other bag formats
I regularly look at bag brands, to answer your questions but also for personal reasons.
Sometimes I want to try something other than a 24-hour bag, but there's always something that blocks me, in terms of use, capacity, style.
1. The backpack
I don't deny the functional aspect of the backpack, but I find some flaws that are quite annoying for my daily use.
First of all, it can damage the shoulders of your tops . Worn too regularly, or with too much weight, it will shine the wool of your coat, distort the shoulders of your blazer or make holes in your fine knits.
And it turns out I wear a lot of wool coats, blazers and fine knits.
And it's a bit of a nightmare for me to see an item of clothing damaged by a backpack.
The shoulder construction and fabric of your favorite blazer disapprove of backpack wear. BonneGueule Jacket
Next, this is something I see a lot, but I find the backpack + blazer or backpack + wool coat combo unattractive .
The contrast in style is a bit strong. The backpack is often too casual compared to the more dressy coat or blazer.
I am very rarely convinced by this kind of association. Photo credit: Luza studios for Getty Images
Finally, the backpack makes your back sweat in summer .
No thanks. Source: Wikipedia
2. The tote bag / helmet bag
I'm not talking about soft cotton tote bags here, but rather more rigid bags, with a more square tote bag shape.
It's an object that I find rather aesthetic and which tempts me... but it doesn't often have a shoulder strap , which means that it can only be carried by hand.
But sometimes I need to free both hands. Not having a shoulder strap is inconvenient for me.
Very nice but no shoulder strap. Disqualified. Brut Clothing
Very nice and with a shoulder strap. I'm interested in this, but there are none left in stock. Brut Clothing
3. The shoulder bag, crossbody bag or messenger bag
With the messenger bag, I have the opposite problem compared to the tote bag : it often only has a strap to be worn on the shoulder and no handle to be carried by hand.
I can't imagine carrying a bag on my shoulder alone: all the weight of the bag and all the friction are distributed on one shoulder. Not great.
Nice but not for me. Bleu de Chauffe
4. The weekend bag
Unless you need to carry a lot of stuff, the weekend bag is too big for everyday use . As the name suggests, its size is more suitable for travel.
A sparsely packed weekend bag is more shocking than a sparsely packed overnight bag.
Too big. Faguo
5. The fanny pack, or sling bag
I totally agree with the opinion of Benoît who devoted a section on the sling bag in this video:
My recommended pieces for this summer – LET’S TALK CLOTHES #27
The sling bag, or fanny pack, goes very well with casual/streetwear outfits:
But if you have a more chic style like me, such a bag will not fit very well into your outfits:
I would add one thing: the size of the fanny pack is too small to carry a bottle of water . It's a bit of a shame because I always have one on me.
Brand recommendations for a 24-hour bag
Entry level
- Sandqvist , model Emil in particular, shown above in the article
- Faguo , computer bags
- Billy Belt , the computer bags
Mid-range
- Qwstion Office Bag model, which has the advantage of being able to be carried by hand, over the shoulder or on the back
- the Longthorpe model
- Auguste Workshops , Montorgueuil model
Maximum versatility for this Qwstion bag
High-end
- Leon Flam , Aviso model
- Ruitertassen , Brief Detective model
- Mismo , a Danish brand offering beautiful bags with a sleek look
- Army Workshop , Messenger Models
- Bleu de Chauffe , including the Business Remix model
- Filson which offers many bags in this format
- Bennett Winch , an English brand offering very beautiful luggage. The model "The Brief" corresponds well to the 24h format
Chic in form, refined, and the chosen colors, dark. Casual in the main material chosen, nylon. Mismo
