Any self-respecting, modern gentleman understands that he needs to use the right tool for the right job. And that definitely extends to the bags and luggage he carries. Today we’re going to discuss the essential bags and luggage depending on where you’re going and what you’re wearing.
Backpack
The backpack is the most versatile of the items on this list and depending on your lifestyle, it could be a smart business-casual accessory, a daily go-anywhere bag for trips to the coffee shop, grocery store or gym or a piece of luggage.
While you can technically use a backpack for everything, you don’t want to because if you’re traveling for an extended period of time, that may not be enough space for your belongs and it can get heavy, which can negatively affect your back or shoulders. And if you need to wear suits for work, even a well-designed leather backpack looks unprofessional and will ruin the shoulders of a suit while wearing it.
You can find virtually any level of design and price for backpacks these days, so much so that they’re officially a staple bag now. There is one caveat, if you need to wear suits for work, no matter how classy the backpack is, there are still better options for you that won’t ruin the shoulders of your suit jackets.
For trips away, whether on a plane or via a car or train, when you need to carry more stuff with you, nothing beats rolling luggage.
We didn’t have one of these for a while and as soon as we got one it quickly dawned on us that this was superior to using non-roller luggage. It’s too convenient not having to lug around your luggage on your back or by carrying it by the handles when this bag can be gliding effortlessly next to you.
Personalization options – monogramming and colored leather detailing and handles.
Durable Polycarbonate shell
Rigid aluminium frame with TSA approved side locks
Smooth and silent gliding Japanese wheels
Option for integrated power bank
Available in: Cognac, Black, Chocolate
Briefcase w/ Shoulder Strap
If you prefer more of a classic piece with versatility or just can’t see yourself wearing a backpack, then look no further than a briefcase with a detachable shoulder strap.
The shoulder strap provides versatility (as long as you’re not wearing a suit jacket). Technically, you can call this a messenger bag, but where messenger bags tend to be less structured and sporty-looking, the briefcase is a little more rigid and sophisticated. You can get a messenger bag, but we’d prefer a backpack in 99% of scenarios when a messenger would be appropriate because it just looks better and frankly, is more comfortable to use.
These are great for short trips or if you’re a light packer. While we’re big fans of the classic styling, admittedly, they’re not as nice to use as a piece of roller luggage if you pack it to the gills. These come in all shapes, sizes and materials and are very sophisticated looking.
The final bag or piece of luggage you need is a Dopp kit for all your toiletries and grooming essentials. These are great for gym trips or for any sort of travel. They keep your stuff organized, are sophisticated-looking and are just a joy to use.
As we recently discussed in our briefcase rundown, the right briefcase/messenger bag is definitely a worthwhile investment for every man to make. We recently we got our hands on one from Carl Friedrik to test out; is this the best men’s leather briefcase of 2019?
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The briefcase comes in a few different colors but we tested the chocolate brown color. The color was beautiful and very rich-looking. The construction and leather quality was very good and the overall design aesthetic was just what we like, clean and sharp with minimal branding. The bag also has a good amount of structure, which we really liked.
Strap and Interior Features
The bag has an all-leather strap (a nice bonus) and really cleverly-integrated shoulder strap set up with attachment hoops built into the handle attachments. The bag features a nice cloth interior in contrasting grey with a bunch of functional pockets.
Cons
Metal Feet – Not our favorite feature as they can tend to scratch floors or tables depending on how careful you are with them.
Loose Interior Cloth – The interior padding is pretty minimal but it has enough structure to keep everything safe and secure. We weren’t huge fans of the looseness of the interior fabric though.
Price & Value
This bag is fairly pricey at $500 but overall we really loved the quality and design and felt that it was definitely a good overall value and for a nice briefcase. There is quite a bit of competition at this price range and felt that if the bag was slightly less expensive it would be a slam dunk, but nonetheless, it’s still a great bag that is fairly priced.
As a bonus, our readers can get $50 off and Free Shipping to the US with code: AWX10
A stylish and functional bag is one of the most important accessories a man can own and we thought it was high time we updated our previous picks. We love a good backpack of course, but no matter what type of field you work in, carrying your goods in something sharp and professional is important. You’re better than that old, falling-apart school bag.
In this video, we’re running down a batch of the latest and greatest new men’s briefcases and messenger bags for 2019!
We loved the clean, simple design for those looking for a budget-friendly option. It features a clean, no-frills design and is made from rugged canvas with plenty of padding to protect your goods. It also comes with a shoulder strap for extra flexibility.
Another bag with a clean, minimal aesthetic, the Italic bag is a great leather option. It features really nice pebbled leather that feels luxurious, especially for its affordable price point. This bag also comes with a removable shoulder strap (in nylon) and an interior padded laptop compartment. The metal feet on the underside were the real drawback as they can sometimes cause damage if you aren’t careful.
This bag features a nice nylon base with leather accents and matte hardware giving it a very sharp design aesthetic. While not all leather, it would be an excellent option for those of you who don’t work in super formal environments. It has nice details with a ton of functional interior pockets and a nice-looking leather shoulder strap with matching hardware. Overall we really liked this bag and felt it was well worth the price given its excellent design and functionality. It comes in multiple colors too.
Dorian is a big fan of their phone cases so we were excited to see one of their briefcases as well. The Bellroy features really nice leather and a lot of structure, which we really like. It has a clean, functional design and some nice touches with its interior contrasting color and nicely integrated eyelets for the shoulder straps. Two things we weren’t in love with were the leather accented nylon shoulder strap and a little bit of excess branding. It’s on the expensive side but we felt like it was definitely worth the investment for those looking for a modern, structured briefcase.
We’ve featured some of their products before and we’re definitely fans of their high-quality construction and great leather. This bag is on the slim side so it’s definitely for the guy who carries less stuff. It’s got a great minimal design and an exterior pocket for extra storage as well. The interior is very cool and it features a bunch of different organizational compartments for your extra goods and features an interior magnet set up that works with their innovative mod products. It’s definitely on the expensive side but well worth the price for its quality.
Since Fall is upon us, I wanted to do an update and supplement to my Men’s Fall & Winter Essentials series. So don’t think of this as a replacement for the series, think of it as a next-tier type of video and article. Enjoy!
1 & 2. Denim Jacket + Chino Pants
My first pick for the season is a denim jacket. It’s perfect for this time of year and works equally well during Springtime, too. Not only does it look good on every body type, but you can layer the heck out of them depending on how cool or warm the weather is. I recommend my go-to styling formula for denim jackets: wear with a t-shirt or crewneck sweater and a pair of chinos and boots.
My second choice are olive, tan and burgandy chino pants. Some of my favorite colors for the season are olive green, brown, and burgundy, which you can easily wear with your other casual jackets and sportcoats.
$70 – Levi’s trucker jacket – You can never go wrong with the brand’s iconic denim jacket. $225 – Rag & Bone slim fit chinos – I’m a huge fan of their chinos because they use a stiffer fabric that’s lays really nicely along the ankles and is super flattering on all shapes and sizes, especially if you’re a hefty fella.
3 & 4. Patterned Sweater & Boots
My third Fall Essential is a patterned sweater. Hopefully, you’ve already got the basic, plain sweaters, so now it’s time to add one that has a subtle pattern because it’s an easy way to add a visually interesting element to your outfits. Also, a pattern helps draw attention away from the torso which is especially beneficial if you’re a slim or husky guy.
My fourth Fall Essential is a pair of boots. You can go with leather or suede, dress or casual boots, but for me, I’m all about the taupe suede boots featured below. These are my hands-down favorite for the season because the color is the perfect dark brownish-grey so they can be used in place of brown or black boots.
$89 – Banana Republic wool birdseye sweater – I’m so impressed with not only the fit, but by the superior wool you can get for under $100. The brand sourced the wool from Zegna’s factory, which is always high quality and can easily set you back $600+. $178 – Banana Republic suede work boot
5. Chambray Shirt
My final pick for the season is a chambray shirt. It looks great on its own or layered underneath a cardigan or jacket. I recommend wearing yours with chinos or wool trousers.
I’m not going to tell you what the reviewed product is here because that’ll ruin it! But any self-respecting man should own at one of these things if he wants to be well-dressed and look damn good. Check out my other article/video about this very same item.
In this episode of the Everyday Carry series, I invited entrepreneur Mike Macadan, the founder of ThisIsGround, to join me to discuss his EDC and how he goes about his workday creating all the amazing products for his company. Hope you enjoy!
These are, to me, the 16 accessories every guy needs to own, regardless of your age, occupation, and lifestyle. Some of these items you may not wear often, but there will be an occasion, as a grown man, when you will need them and you’ll be thankful that you thought far enough ahead to take care of them before it’s too late and you’re scrambling at the last minute. I’ve also included my favorites for each of these items below. But these points below are just skimming the surface compared to the much more through Men’s Essential Accessories Series I did recently.
Like I’ve mentioned before, every man should have at least a grey suit. Even if you only wear it once every year, you’re going to need a suit. Along with that, looking well dressed is always about the details and a white pocket square is an easily overlooked item that really does make a big impact and it’ll only set you back a couple of bucks.
This is another overlooked item. I talked about this in my article about the 12 Things Men Wear That Women Love, but a tie bar is something that adds that special touch to your outfit. It’s also so cheap to own so order it once and you’ll never think about it again.
These two ties will work for any suit you have in your closet, making them an absolute must have. Make sure the width of your tie complements your body type.
Get rid of your white socks. These socks can and should be worn as your everyday socks. If you need heavier duty, thicker socks for your job or because of the weather, there are plenty of companies that offer warmer versions.
Whether you’re a sunglass man or not, sunglasses are important because they’re going to protect your eyes from the sun, prevent you from squinting, which creates wrinkles around your eyes, and they can add a stylish, cool touch to your outfit. Check out my sunglasses story so you choose the right frames for your face shape.
We all have those lazy days, myself included, where you just say F it, I’m gonna throw on a hat. When it comes to baseball hats I have very specific opinions about them so I shared some of my recommendations below.
Not only do these oxford dress shoes look great with your suit, but they also look nice with chinos, jeans, and trousers when you want to dress up a more casual outfit.
Everyone travels. Whether it’s to some exotic country, or across town, you’ll need to put your clothes in something AND trash bags are not an option. Like every accessory you own, it should not only serve it’s purpose, but look damn good at the same time. I have a whole article about weekender bags you should check out.
This item goes great with your weekender bag. Again, doesn’t matter if you’re traveling to another city or to the gym, a dopp kitt is essential because it’ll keep your grooming products organized and contained in a respectable manner.
Depending on what you do for a living, if you live a more casual lifestyle or you’re a student, then a backpack is great. If you are in a more professional environment, a briefcase is best.
Like the last point, which one you go with will depend on your lifestyle. Whether you’re a watch guy or not, any self-respecting man should own a watch or two.
Everyone has casual days, and white sneakers look so sharp on every guy regardless of your age or body type. If you’re really scared of wearing white, or think that it doesn’t look right, ease yourself into it with a nice low top lace-up black or navy sneaker.
The things a man carries tells a lot about him and that’s no more true than with your wallet – check out my article to the left for bifold, card cases, and phone wallet recommendations.
The below are only a few recommendations for bifold wallets.
Q: I’ve lost a significant amount of weight and now all of my clothes are clownishly large on me. Can a tailor make my clothes fit again or should I just buy all new ones?
A: See the video above for the answer and my men’s clothing fit guide for how your clothes should fit.
Q: I watched your T-Shirt video and if I have a nice looking tee with a pretty minimalist design, does that hinder a look the same way a straight up graphic tee would?
A: Short answer – sort of. See the video for the longer answer.
Q: As a shorter man (5’6″), I find it difficult to find stuff that fits me and looks good. I was hoping you can provide some general style tips for shorter men.
Q: I recently picked up a Briefcase in a navy/ tan leather color way, would I match my wallet/watch/belt/etc. To the bag? What would you do in my situation?
A: Don’t think about it too much. Andrew is less of a stickler here, but I am more of a stickler. See video for details.
Briefcase w/ Shoulder Strap
$15 – 
$965 – 
