The bags you need, from the best brands around
Remember that George Clooney film, Up In The Air? The one where he’s the most put together businessman in the world, where he never travels with multiple, over-spilling bags and where he carries everything – in true Clooney form – with style, class and ease, all in a beautiful briefcase or perfectly sized suitcase? Well, that’s the type of guy you should try and be, gentlemen. While I’m not expecting you to do a total 180 and change your personality to match that of fictional characters, all I ask is that you make a little bit more effort with your suitcase, briefcase or gym bag. What’s the point in spending all the time, money and effort curating an impeccable wardrobe if you’re going to throw it all away at the last hurdle by travelling around with some hideous, cheap bag? There is none, trust us.
When it comes to carrying around your possessions, you have a choice. You can either be that guy who supposedly ‘doesn’t care’ about his bag, shove everything into your used Sainsbury’s bag from last night’s shop and head out the door, or you can be the one who actually takes pride in what he wears and how he looks and keep up his gentlemanly manner by sticking everything into a briefcase that he has thought about, spent money on and that he’s proud of. And let’s face it, if you’re reading this article the likelihood is that yes, you do care and that you are interested it bettering your sartorial self. And if you’re here to learn, it’s time to do just that. We’re bringing you the best when it comes to all forms of cases, from the best iPhone case on the market to the only weekend bag you need.
Document holder
Every gentleman needs something smart and stylish to make him stand out on his commute or in the boardroom, and this Richard James document holder will do exactly that. A cheap and cheerful one might be a good quick fix, but something like this will last you years and have the endurance to take you from meeting to meeting everyday. Keep the rest of your accessories dark and neutral to ensure that this stands out from the crowd – in the best possible way.
Richard James document holder, £195
Briefcase
The mark of a true gentleman (and one who takes his job seriously) is one that has invested in his weekday outfit and that means everything from the suit he puts on, to the socks he wears, to the briefcase he carries. You need to choose something timeless, stylish and functional and a piece that will continue to look smart for years to come.
Gym bag
The gym bag seems to be one piece that many men skimp on. To most, it’s an item that’s purely about functionality – taking your gym kit from work to the gym – rather than an item that you should actually spend money on and take pride carrying. But think about it like this: you’re willing to spend money on buying a beautiful briefcase or weekend bag, so why wouldn’t you do the same on a bag that you’re still carrying just as often?
iPhone case
Don’t bypass this, gentlemen. There’s absolutely no excuse for an ugly, cheap phone case and no matter how careful you think you are, no one is immune to dropping their phone and coming away with a smashed screen that will cost you the same amount as the phone to fix. A smart leather case like this one from Greenwich will only add to your sophistication.
Overnight bag
This is always a tricky one to get right and something that a lot of gentlemen don’t seem to actually own. Most either stick to the free tote bag that they get when they buy an expensive book, or to using something too big for one night. But if you find yourself going for a night away or you have a non live-in girlfriend, you need to invest in one and there’s no better bag than this.
WANT Les Essentiels De Le Vie, £185
Weekend bag
This is another one that we struggle to understand how some people get so very wrong. There’s nothing that can ruin a fabulous outfit quite like a decrepit bag, and if you’re still using the same bag you used when you were in the rugby team at school, it’s time for an upgrade.
WANT Les Essentiels De Le Vie, £330
Rucksack
Trust us when we say that the rucksack is one of the most fashionable and stylish items a gentleman can buy. It’s no longer the bag reserved for school children or geeky co-workers. It’s the perfect piece to invest in if you’re the type of guy who carries breakfast and lunch, his laptop, his iPad, chargers, his book, document case, wallet – the list goes on, but you get the gist.
Suitcase
This is the final piece that will really give you the Clooney edge and demonstrate just how much of a gentleman you really are. You need to accept that you might have to part with a relatively hefty chunk of cash to make this work, but investing in a suitcase is definitely worth every penny. Rimowa is one of the most timeless brands money can buy and will provide you with a piece that will not only last you a lifetime (there’s a 75-year guarantee on these), but that will take you from A to B with serious style and class.
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