Manbags for all occasions

Debbie Davies - Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Manbags for all occasions

Manbag - “A place for the modern day gent to carry his tools of the trade. Born from the metro-sexual phenomenon of the 90’s, the man bag is a style essential that comes in many different shapes, sizes and materials and is now widely used, even by those who first ridiculed its creation.”

It was over a decade ago that celebrities such as Jude Law and David Beckham opened our eyes to the benefits of the ’man bag’ and although the term seems rather outdated now, the concept is still very much alive. Rather than simply being just another accessory derived from its female counterpart, the man bag is a whole lot more. It is functional, stylish and above all, manly. In 2011 a man’s affection for his bag need no longer be a hidden love affair; the man bag has cemented its place as a style essential. Here are our top tips for choosing the right bag for every occasion.

Work Bags

This season office fashion sees the return of power dressing. With competition in the workplace tougher than ever, it’s time you smartened your look with sharp suits, an even sharper intellect and a power-accessory that combines timeless elegance and business-like practicality. Whether you need to carry your laptop, vital paperwork or just your lunch, invest in a stylish work bag to ensure you look the business. Opt for either a traditional leather briefcase or a sleek, modern business bag.

(clockwise from top left) Ashwood brown leather briefcase £89.99; Hansson Texas Italian bull leather briefcase £199.99; Quindici black leather 2-compartment laptop bag £150; Bugatti Monterey leather business case £240

Casual bags

All work and no play makes for a very dull boy, so while power dressing has re-emerged in the work place, outside of the 9 to 5 the emphasis on fun is taken very seriously indeed. Perfect for the gym, the beach or around town this season’s casual bags are awash with colour so don’t be afraid to experiment.

Travel bags

Getting from A to B nowadays often requires shrewd planning. Male celebrities are often spotted sweeping through airports with a designer manbag slung casually over the shoulder but for us in the real world, we generally need something a little sturdier and more substantial. You need a travel bag that is practical as well as stylish so a leather holdall is the best option. The leather holdall is a timeless classic, but don’t overlook canvas as your fabric of choice for a more relaxed look with a vintage military feel.