If men in the 60s brought their hard briefcases to work as a symbol of success and professionalism, the bag to represent today’s gentlemen would be the men’s tote bag. Tote bags are no longer the bulky handbags reserved for women — the hard briefcase would no longer be sufficient for the many gears that the modern man carries around, and backpacks are not professional enough for the boardroom. As for that freebie laptop bag? Let’s not even go there.
For men’s tote bags to look professional enough for the boardroom, structure is key. Slouchiness has a tendency to give off unprofessional vibes, and structure always makes a look more polished. That said, it doesn’t mean your tote bag has to be boxy. Take the Dolce & Gabbana oversized tote bag for example, with its soft yet structured silhouette, held together with a sturdy base and round top handles.
Then, there’s the colour. It goes without saying that bold, striking colours would be frowned upon in the boardroom — almost taboo. Although classic black leather would be a good and safe choice, you don’t have to be boring and stick with that all the way. In our list of the latest men’s tote bags below, you will find a selection of classy ones from Dsquared2 and Lanvin, but also some selections that toe the line of professionalism such as Dior Homme’s Dan Witz collaboration and Loewe‘s daring tartan tote bag.
Stylish or evergreen for the boardroom? Take your pick with our list of 10 men’s tote bags below.
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1 /10
This Fall/Winter 2017, Bally released the new Samoa men’s tote bag in grained bull leather. The structured shape looks polished, while the red and white Trainspotting Stripe motif adds a bit of flair to the otherwise plain bag.
RM6,675.22, Bally
2 /10
We won’t be held responsible if you’re constantly stroking the supple leather of this tote bag throughout your meetings. That said, this Burberry medium embossed leather tote is soft but definitely not slouchy. The embossed leather makes for subtle design that’s proper enough for the boardroom, but also fun enough for drinks after.
RM5,995, Burberry
3 /10
This Fall Winter 2017/18, Dior Homme collaborated with artist Dan Witz to produce a collection featuring the artist’s “Mosh Pit” series. This tote bag is one of the results, with the Mosh Pits nylon and black calfskin hybrid. We love the roomy interior and the two-way carry design. Its design is not too flamboyant that it is unprofessional, yet gives you that stylish edge in the boardroom.
Price unavailable,Dior
4 /10
When you have an important meeting at 4PM and a weekend getaway flight to catch at 8PM, this oversized tote bag from Dolce & Gabbana will be your style’s saving grace. It’s roomy enough to handle all your getaway essentials and then some more, and looks professional enough that your bosses won’t question your personal escapades.
RM4,477.98, Dolce & Gabbana
5 /10
Sleek lines always makes an item look professional, and that’s why we gravitate towards this Dsquared2 Dante tote bag from the brand’s Fall/Winter 2017 collection. It instantly adds a polished touch to your look and will feel great for a long time to come, thanks to the black calf leather.
RM5,628.13, Farfetch
6 /10
If it’s space you want without scrimping on the structure, then this boxy Fendi black leather tote bag is your jam. Its raised textural stripes creates a tone-on-tone Fendi logo, which looks subtle and classy. Upon opening the bag, you get an unexpected burst of bright yellow for its inner lining ensuring that you’ll never have trouble fishing for stuff inside your bag again.
Price unavailable, Fendi
7 /10
When you want a classic bag that withstands the test of time and trends while matching basically everything in your wardrobe, this Lanvin holdall bag is just the thing you need. The detachable and adjustable shoulder straps and also round top handles make for several ways to carry the bag, while the black leather and silver hardware is evergreen.
RM9,416.87, Lanvin
8 /10
Absolutely need some colour in your life? Then invest in some classic tartan print with this Loewe T shopper tote bag. The burst of red tartan adds life to an otherwise regular day in the office, yet the design isn’t too loud that it shouts unprofessionalism.
RM9,683.27, Loewe
9 /10
The iconic Saint Laurent Sac De Jour is not just for women, but perfect for men as well. What’s not to like about it? The structured shape is appealing, and its design is minimal enough to be used daily and matches just about any outfit. It’s even in the name itself: sac de jour translates to “day bag”.
RM10,685.42, Saint Laurent
10 /10
Easily call out to other Thom Browne fanboys with this tote bag embellished with the brand’s signature red, white, and blue stripe. Made of calf leather, this tote bag is also a unisex one, so don’t be surprised if your partner steals it for herself more often than you have the chance to use it.
RM7,877.70, Club 21 Malaysia
PohNee Chin
Editor, Kuala Lumpur
Poh Nee is the editor and writes about travel and drinks. When she's not living out her holiday dreams via Google Earth and sipping on an Old Fashioned down at the local bars, you can find her snug at home bingeing on Netflix and mystery fiction.
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