Men’s bags are today more diverse and more elegant they they have ever been, so there is no reason why you should not have a great bag. A bag is useful, practical and can be extremely stylish. All you need to do is find out what bag is best suited for you! In this guide, we break down the things you should look out for when choosing a bag.

Buying a bag that is not suited for you can result in frustration, not to mention the unnecessary expense. This is why it is important to know what you should consider when you are buying a bag.

The tips we give in this guide can be used by anyone, regardless of your style, lifestyle and means, and can make your shopping experience more pleasant and fun.

So, here are the five main things you should consider when you are on the lookout for a new bag.

 

 

1. Lifestyle

The number one thing that dictates what kind of bag you should buy is your lifestyle. Ask yourself the question: “What for do I need this bag?” If you need a bag to travel around from one place to another for short periods of time, a duffle bag or a weekender is definitely the way to go. However, if you need something in which to carry your daily essentials to your workplace and back, a briefcase is probably the best choice, as briefcases close well (and therefore keep your documents and other important things safe), they are stylish, and most of them are made from black or brown leather, which means that they are extremely versatile and go with any color you might wear.

 

In case you are often going to the beach or just heading out to creative meetings and spaces, a tote bag is a great choice, while if you are running errands and going grocery shopping, a shopping bag will do the job best.

If you are a sporty guy heading to the gym and if you like going through the forests or to engage in unexpected travels, a backpack that will give you freedom of movement and that will put your baggage’s weight on your back instead on your arms, and therefore making it easier to carry, a backpack is the right thing to choose.

As you can see, it’s all about your lifestyle. Your needs are the first thing that indicate what type of bag you should buy.

 

 

2. Color

The second thing to consider is the color of the bag. While this might not sound very important, it definitely is. The reason for this is because wherever you go and whatever you do, your looks, and here we are including your bag, must be cohesive and they need to “flow”. Regardless of its style, your bag should work with your wardrobe and with the things you wear while you are carrying it. This doesn’t mean that it must be matchy-matchy, but it must go. A guy who has a rather formal wardrobe won’t look his best with a Bugs Bunny backpack. Or maybe he could, but most likely it will look as if he’s carrying a child’s bag from school to home. Also, a very urban guy, who wears lots of bright colors, won’t do well with a classic dark leather bag.

 

 

3. Fabric

The fabric of your bag is the third thing you should look out for. The fabric derives from your lifestyle and from the color. If you are carrying your bag outside a lot, you should definitely go for a waterproof bag, or one that is not easily affected by the elements. Canvas is out of the question in this case.

If you use your bag for traveling a lot, you should make the material is strong and that is closes well. For example, zippers are better at keeping your things in a bag than buttons, which might let the bag open and your things to fall out.

One of the best materials out there is leather, as it is a strong material; it is durable and very flexible.

 

 

4. Size

Once you have determined for what you need your bag, what color it should be and from what material it should be made, it’s time to determine the size of your bag. As we said earlier, if you are traveling from place to another, a duffle bag is a great choice. If you only need to store your phone, tablet and wallet, a pouch might do it.

For example, for everyday life, a briefcase might be a great choice, but you need to test it out and see if it can really fit everything you need.

As a tip, if you want to carry your laptop with you, even just on occasions, make sure that you have a bag to fit it. Not being able to fit your laptop into a bag might cause you to need to buy a second bag and carrying many bags is never comfortable.

 

 

5. Price

Once you have established all the above things, you need to lay out a budget. Some bags are more expensive than others, and the reasons behind this are sometimes justified, and other times, they are not. Better materials, a better design and better craftsmanship is more expensive, but it is often also worth it. Investing in a good bag is something you should do, as a great bag can last for many, many years.

If you see no reason why an expensive bag costs as much as it costs, you probably just paying for the label.

 

Once you have established these things, there is no way you can’t find a bag that is suited for your needs, style and taste. Moreover, once you have a good go-to bag that is suited for your lifestyle, you will be always ready to embark on new adventures in great style.

 

Fraquoh and Franchomme

 

 

 

 

 

Further reading:

A look at the different types of men’s bags

The complete guide to travel bags

5 things to look for when buying an everyday backpack

P.S. What type of bag do you have? What are you looking for when purchasing a bag? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook or Twitter!