Written by Menswear Style in Tips & Advice on the 16th June 2020

Bags define the personality and the lifestyle of the person wearing it. Bags are one of the accessories we wear that introduces us to strangers without the need to talk. Therefore, finding the perfect bag for everyday use is very important. This isn’t to say that you should only choose one bag and you’re good to go. Bags are like clothing and the choice depends on where you’re going, what you’re carrying, and who’s going to see you along the way. With all these things in mind, here are some tips that’ll help you choose the right bag for your daily needs.

Consider The Styles

Bags are suitable for everyday living, whether you’re commuting to work, going to school, or strolling through a National Park. Choosing the style of bag that’ll suit the place where you’re going is very important. Whichever one you pick will determine how your day goes. The easiest way to decide is to think about how you’ll carry your belongings. Here are some bag types that may meet your requirements:

Backpacks 

One of the most versatile designs in this list. Backpacks can be used on all occasions. You can use them for almost any purpose thinkable, but choosing the right backpack will depend on your lifestyle. If you’re going to the gym or camping in the woods, you should consider a durable good quality backpack. If you’re a business commuter or a student going to school, the most recommended backpack type is the one with a padded seat to keep the contents from jamming into you back. Such bags should also have an adjustable air mesh strap to keep the air flowing. Leather style backpacks are best for the office, while casual backpacks such as Himawari backpacks are best for people who want to stroll in the park or city. 

Tote Bags 

Standing between the ultra-formal briefcase and a backpack on the sliding scale of formality, tote bags are stylish and practical enough to carry your everyday things. Tote bags can carry anything from your gym gear to the stuff you use at school. Tote bags are versatile and have easy-access designs which can make them your go-to bag for work, shopping, or relaxing at the beach. When looking for a tote bag, consider the material first. Nylon and leather are good for a work commute, while canvas is best if you want to showcase your everyday style while shopping. Zippers are optional since they can give extra security, and internal pockets can be used to store your car and house keys.

Weekend Bag 

You can’t go to the lake getaway or visit your relatives on a weekend using a backpack or a tote bag. The best bags to accompany you during these journeys are the mighty Weekend Bags. Weekend Bags will give you the aura of taste and leisure, not to mention the practicality, while going on a vacation with a lot of clothes and beauty products. When looking for a weekend bag, you need to consider the material as well (High-end leather can be costly). Be sure to check the size to see if it’ll store all your weekend essentials. 

Briefcase 

The bag that sums up all the formalities in the business world. Briefcases are as relevant as ever because the business world is growing. So, if you’re a city-dweller, a briefcase will be your best friend. Just imagine yourself going to the office with your suit and tie, with a backpack clinging over your shoulders. It doesn’t feel or look quite right. When looking for a briefcase, consider your usual work attire. If your shoes and belt are black, you can settle for a black briefcase. Similarly, with tan or brown shoes, look for a briefcase that matches these colours. The briefcase should have several pockets that’ll contain your laptop, files, pens, and keys. Avoid the mistake of getting a slim briefcase that’ll ultimately be jam-packed with a lot of things. It’ll look like you’re carrying a burger.

Gym Bags 

Whether you’re a first-class gym trainer or hitting the gym for the first time in 25 years, you need a good gym bag to be with you through thick or thin. Gym bags are made to contain the essential things you’ll need during your training, from towels to plastic bottle containers. When looking for a gym bag, consider the bag that can accommodate your officewear and your gym clothes comfortably. Some gym bags have drink holders, while others may contain compartments to store your extra shirts or shoes. Some gym bags also offer additional compartments to store your keys, watch and phone.  

Cross-Body Bag 

Also called Bum Bags, they’re one of the most practical bags that you can ever wear. Anybody who thinks that cross-body bags are out of style should get a serious fashion check done. Unless you’re going to school or the office, cross-body bags are perfect for those who only carry a few important things such as phones, keys, and wallets. Two things must be considered before getting a cross-body bag, the dimensions and the styling. Size matters because choosing a very small cross-body bag can ruin your style. You can also make the mistake of choosing a cross-body bag as big as a messenger bag. Check what you want to carry during commuting and then determine the size that suits your needs. Also, style is very important. You can buy a cross-body bag that screams with colour or you can choose a style that blends into your clothing. Either way, zippers must be easy-to-reach because easy access is the main benefit of a bum bag.

Messenger Bags 

Today’s bag designers are seriously remodeling messenger bags to make them fashionable. Messenger bags were once used by middle-aged commuters, but times have changed, and they can now showcase your fashion identity. Messenger bags are great for carying laptops, magazines, and office files. They’ll also safely carry your lunchbox and water tumbler. One of the most important things to consider in getting a messenger bag is the adjustable strap and the internal pockets it contains. Waxed cotton canvas is ruggedly different from high-end leather messenger bags. Either way, you can choose one that matches your everyday style. Keep the style classic with a fold-over flap, or you can go chic and preppy with a satchel.

Think About What You’ll Carry 

Each type of bag mentioned above serves a different purpose. To determine which bag must be used, think about what you’ll be carrying for the day. If you’re going to the office, leather bags or briefcases are the most recommended. Are you going on a camping trip this weekend? Then you can consider bringing a weekend bag or a backpack. If you’re going shopping, you can opt to bring a tote bag, a messenger bag, or even a cross-body bag. It’s very important to determine what you’ll be carrying because you don’t want to carry a bag that’s too small to fit everything. A bag that’s too big will quickly get annoying.

Quality Of The Bag 

When you pack in your laptop, office files, schoolwork, water bottle, gym gear, toiletries, phone, wallet, and keys, the bag may wear out in a short time. When you have so many things to carry, you must choose a bag that’s weather-resistant and has solid zippers because these things tend to get damaged easily. If you have a laptop that you always carry, choose a bag that has a laptop sleeve that can protect it from the impacts of commuting. Some bags are so well-designed that even if you carry a lot of things, it’ll take time before they get torn or damaged. 

Don’t Overthink It 

Don’t stress too much. Bags serve as containers of the things we want to carry in our everyday lives. If choosing the right bag for your daily needs stresses you out, just go ahead with your gut-feeling. Choose the bag that’s most comfortable for you. After all, the way you carry the bag is all that’s important.

We discuss all the different styles of bags such as backpacks, tote bags, and messenger bags for this guide on How to Choose the Best Bag for your Daily Needs.