To be a man in the 21st century is to carry if not the absolute weight of the world on your shoulders, then at least a few different personas: partner, father, entrepreneur, yogi. So it's no wonder that the question of how to choose the best men’s bag requires a certain consideration of exactly what you might like to carry on your back – or, for that matter, slung over your shoulder or tucked under your arm.
Gym gear, gadgets, a paperback for whiling away the time on public transport: all need to be carried to take a man through his day.
But here’s the conundrum: although they perform rather a pedestrian task, and although current incarnations favour utilitarian trends, choosing the perfect men’s bag is as much about style as it is about function. Look at it as an opportunity to send a sartorial message, even as it schleps your stuff from A to B. As to the nature of that message… well, that’s entirely up to you. Let's unpack men's briefcases, backpacks and everything in between.
The message: 'I major in the classics'
The medium: a briefcase
Modern-day men’s briefcases are big enough to tote all your documents and have a vaguely intellectual air, suggesting you might perhaps be hurrying to your next class at the Sorbonne. They're particularly fetching in cognac or chocolate leather, hues that will look even more distinguished with the patina of age. What makes this classic men’s leather bag feel new is the way it’s worn – that is, nonchalantly tucked under the arm like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Because on the streets of Florence for Pitti Uomo, it very often is.
The message: 'Smells like teen spirit'
The medium: a backpack
On the surface they look like the humble carryall you toted to gym class in high school, but hard-wearing men’s backpacks are having a major comeback. On the streets they're being worn in two very different ways, though both contain a clear nod to the 1990s. The first is grunge-inspired – think casually slung over one shoulder and teamed with beat-up Vans sneakers and a slouchy, oversized jacket or coat. The second way to style the men's backpack is to neatly buckle it at the front over a pristine puffer vest or parka. It’s reminiscent of 90s RnB style, without the bling-y gold hardware.
The message: 'I keep my friends close and my secrets closer'
The medium: a messenger bag
Part athlete, part urban adventurer, men’s messenger bags or satchels suggests there's more to you than meets the eye. That’s mostly thanks to the styling, as they're worn with the strap across the body but pulled tight, so the bag itself is tucked high under the arm or swung around to sit flat against the back. The perfect men’s bag for weekends, they complement casual but polished athleisure looks – wear yours with a hoodie, a baseball cap and an air of danger.
The message: 'Your heritage is my canvas'
The medium: a brand-bag
Carrying a certain status-boosting logo print is still enough to signal to the world that you’ve arrived but now, it also functions as a starting point for a more iconoclastic design. Whether on a men’s satchel bag, tote or wallet, Gucci’s floral overprint is a cheerful way to update their interlocking Gs (the more daring and fashion-forward showgoers at London Fashion Week Men’s even wore a belt bag version of the print). Or revisit the starting point for this trend with a piece of Louis Vuitton Vintage, stamped with one of Stephen Sprouse’s very collectible designs.
The message: 'I'm hip but also square'
The medium: a tote
Compact in size but bold in appearance, square tote or shopper bags are one of the new styles to consider when choosing the perfect men’s bag. That they look quite practical belies their true charismatic nature because they have the clever ability of doubling as a billboard for a serious style statement. For Spring 17, Fendi went back to its heritage as a leather and fur house, rendering square shopper totes in electric yellow or other shades, or fur that is stamped with an animal print or fashioned into bold vertical stripes.
The message: 'Easy come, easy go'
The medium: an oversized clutch
Nothing says ease quite like a neat little portfolio that could house as much as a notebook and an iPad, or as little as a billfold and a handful of loose coins. Some call them portfolios, others refer to them for what they really are: oversized clutches that look equally simple and chic whether it’s worn with a tailored coat or a casual pair of shorts. Because that’s the thing about choosing the perfect men’s bag: it really should see you through a whole spectrum of circumstances.