12 of the best men’s bags

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10 BEST MEN'S BAGS

12 OF THE BEST MEN'S BAGS

Never has there been a better time to be a man with stuff. For bags, folks, are having a moment - and things have moved on a lot since the days of Joey Tribbiani’s man bag. From briefcases to cross-body bags and statement backpacks, the autumn/winter men’s collections area a love letter to the bag – and it’s a romance we’re fully on board with.

SHOP BAGS

1. The belt bag

It’d have been pretty hard to miss the humble bum bag’s meteoric rise to fashion stardom. Now it’s a struggle to go to certain enclaves of town without spotting a bum bag or two. Worn in the traditional way or slung casually round the neck, they’re the quickest way to go from normal to ‘fashun’.

Eastpak, Springer Bag, £19

2. The smart backpack

Where once the backpack was school boy’s territory, now it’s a decidedly more grown-up affair. Practical, roomy and surprisingly sophisticated, a sleek rucksack is the modern man’s commuting sidekick. Our hands down personal favourite ? A black leather iteration.

Michael Kors, Pebble Leather Backpack, £245

3. The classic briefcase

It doesn’t get more old school, more Hollywood-esque than a suit and a great briefcase. The weighty hardware, the textured leather, the handles… there’s a lot to love about such an iconic piece of menswear kit. Add a long-handled umbrella to get full Gene Kelly vibes.

Coach, Met Briefcase, £395

4. The pouch

The pouch pouch (or pouchette , muche , murse, whatever you like to call it) has had an official makeover. No longer your girlfriend’s clutch bag, a leather pouch is the sleekest way to carry your clobber and look pretty sophisticated in the process.

Aspinal , Zipped Laptop Case, £350

5. The outdoorsy duffle

Fulfilling our penchant for technical gear and neon brights, this North Face duffle is precisely the kind of geek-turned-chic we like. Super roomy for all your gear, it’ll fit everything from your headphones to your gym kit, so you’re sure to feel thoroughly backed up.

The North Face, Base Camp Small Duffle Bag, £100.00

6. The streetwear cross-body

The catwalk has been awash with small cross-body bags for the past few seasons now. Some, worn high up, gave off that hapless tourist vibes (exhibit A: Fendi SS19) and quickly renewed our enthusiasm for dad-dressing. Luckily, the trend is showing no sign of abating, so for AW20, we suggest adding to your collection.

Napapijri, Cross Body Bag, £28.00

7. The luxe bum bag

Follow A$AP Rocky, Jared Leto et al and grab yourself a bum bag if you haven’t already. This one’s kind of luxe, kind of flash, which we quite enjoy. It says weekend errands but ‘make it fashion’.

MCM , Fursten Belt Bag, £319.00

8. The city/country backpack

Sometimes after the hustle; and pollution; and self-service checkouts; and hurried flat whites, we crave a bit of the countryside. Thankfully, this Polo Ralph Lauren beauty will bring a breath of fresh air to your daily tube kerfuffle.

Polo Ralph Lauren, Mountain Backpack, £88.00

9. The weekender

Killing two birds with one stone, the weekend bag is a multitasking dream for it’s both a bag for weekend getaways (naturally) and a great gym bag. Nice.

MCM , Traveler Weekender, £840.00

10. The canvas roll-top bag

With utilitarian, Scandi vibes, a roll top backpack is minimal without being clinical, cool without trying too hard. It may require a bit of extra work getting stuff out of it but the effort is worth it, trust us.

Ted Baker, Featt Canvas Backpack, £80.00

11. The branded rucksack

Pledge your allegiance to your favourite brand by investing in a bag which shouts their name loud and proud. Top of our list is this monochrome Mario Valentino iteration.

Mario Valentino, Mario Kylo Logo Backpack, £78.00

12. The messenger

The humble satchel has been around in menswear for donkey’s years. It’s got somewhat of a reputation for school kid vibes but use this to your advantage. The cheeky, happy-go-lucky vibes will take you anywhere.

Ted Baker, Keyz Messenger Bag, £60.00