Part I: The right bag for the working woman
It's difficult to imagine a well-dressed man going to work without a bag/ briefcase in his hand. When you buy one, however, do remember it needs to match not just your personality but also your job profile.
In Part I of this two-part series on choosing the right bag, we offered tips on bag styles for women. In this concluding part, we offer tips on how men can choose a bag depending on the kind of work they do:
~ Media/ creative
"Your bag should portray your vibrance. Go for a good sling (which hangs on the shoulder) if you are in a creative environment," says fashion consultant Shadaab Razak. "Apart from slings, you could also try out messenger bags, a briefcase (in soft or hard leather) or whatever suits your profile."
A messenger bag is usually slung across your chest while the bag rests on your lower back or over your shoulder. Messenger bags, which are a smarter version of the plain old sling bag, are a popular accessory with young men in cities across the world. It is also known as a courier bag; you may have seen it on men riding bikes to work
It is a medium, square-shaped bag with two to three compartments that can hold a lot of stuff. It is usually crafted from thick material or soft leather, and has large straps.
~ Senior management
A handsome leather briefcase is what you need. "Personalise your bag by embossing your initials in a bold script on one corner of the bag. Please do not use gold or silver for this. It should be self-print on leather. Any leather workshop can customise your designer briefcase. These days, designer brands do it too at a slightly extra cost," says Shadaab.
~ Management
Are you a management grad? Do you work as a manager in the corporate world? A good messenger bag that can double as a handbag, in soft leather -- or suede if you are adventurous -- in matt/ shiny, black/ brown/ burgundy is a nice choice.
Shadaab says, "These days, carrying a good messenger bag is a fashion statement for men. Be it a business suit or jeans, it definitely adds a dash of boyish charm."
"Always try and match your bag either with your belt or shoes. Do not carry a bag of a different colour when you wear a matching belt and shoes," she adds.
~ Athlete/ sportsperson/ coach
A sports Nike bag, a Tommy Hilfiger sling, or a smart Boss tote is what you need for your entire tedious workout garb. The fact that you are making a fashion statement at the same time doesn't hurt. Some of the best slings are available at very reasonable prices.
Quick tips