Choosing a manbag... some help?

[couldnthaveknow]

Looking for some advice - I'm looking for a versatile manbag, that I can use for work 80% of the time, travel, and weekends away.

After reading all 160 something pages of the Definitive Manbag thread, I'm trying to figure out what's the right mix of formal and casual for myself.

On the formal side



http://www.herz-bag.jp/webshop/products/detail307.html

This will be great for work and business trips but would look a bit odd for a weekend getaway


Somewhere in between I was thinking this



http://www.herz-bag.jp/webshop/products/detail115.html

A boston bag with a framed opening - I think its formal enough for work but versatile enough for a weekend getaway.
Problem though is its not very practical - its not wide enough to fit A4 lying down but has no gussets inside either... not the end of the world but given I'll be using it for work most of the time, an inconvenience nonetheless


Less formal, I'm looking at a duffel like this


https://frankcleggleatherworks.com/index.php/product/view/Style_Blogger_Travel_Duffle

Big and practical enough, great for business and personal trips, but not sure if its formal enough for work. I am an analyst, suit and tie every day, but I'm not 30 yet so want a suitable style

What do you think? Any thoughts or other recommendations welcome

 

[cptjeff]

If you're using this at work, you want a briefcase, not a weekend bag. A weekend bag is not really appropriate for office work. At 80% work, you should just be buying a bag that works perfectly for work, and can fit the other 20% okay. Those last two are probably 15% work, 85% weekend. Bad choices.

You may be looking for something like this:

However, I would argue that suit and tie every day means that you should be buying something relatively formal, regardless of your age. Would you ask about wearing flannel shirts with your suit and tie because you feel that that would make your style more age appropriate? No, of course not. You know that that just makes your attire inappropriate generally. If buying a fairly formal briefcase means it doesn't work for the weekend, so be it. Buy a different bag for the weekend. I certainly don't use the same briefcase for work and weekend, part of the joy of a briefcase is that you can let certain work related stuff live in there, without having to clean it out for other trips.

 

[Dempsy444]

Personally, I'd buy a nice briefcase like the first pic of yours or maybe a ferragamo but then just get a canvass duffel bag for weekends. A leather duffel bag, particularly one with gold and two tone like the one you show is not a man bag.

 

[Ianiceman]

Good advice above about separating your need for a work brief case from your need for a weekend travel bag.

Also, will your weekend travel involve driving or flying? I have a very nice waxy leather weekend bag that I use for road trips only as I hate to think how it would look after doing battle with baggage handlers. For flying I have a Tumi ballistic nylon duffel.

Finally, be aware that those framed opening bags make access inside very easy, but when you zip them up the ends collapse inwards so they aren't nearly as roomy as they appear to be.

 

[couldnthaveknow]

Thanks guys, good point... yes I will be predominantly using the bag for work (80% office, 10% business trip) so it should be fit for that purpose first and foremost

For my trips away, it mostly involves me flying down to Melbourne (from Sydney), and so I just take this one carry on with me and off I go... for longer trips, I was thinking the combo to be briefcase + garment bag... I did this last time and it worked out great.

cptjeff, good point on the flannel shirts - thanks for that. You're right. I have multiple pairs of shoes for different purposes... but I guess in some ways I'm always drawn to my RM Williams - wear it with jeans on the weekend, wear it with a suit on weekdays. I was hoping to find a bag to do the same, but understand there are limits to this. I can't wear my RMs for a golf day, for instance...

Anyone for any more?

 

[couldnthaveknow]

Ok what are your thoughts on a satchel? I think a satchel is formal enough for the office, and I reckon it'll be fine for a weekend away...

Anyone have experience with these?

Il Bisonte




Mulberry...




The Mulberry has inside pockets but no gussets, which I like, I can stick papers in the pockets but no gussets means I can put a bottle of wine in the bag (to take home, not to drink at the office, of course)

What other brands with semi formal satchels like this would you recommend?

 

[cptjeff]

Those all look excellent. I would recommend some variety of quick release, undoing the buckles every time could get to be a pain.