6 Types Of Office Bags For Men That Will Make You Stylish And Comfy

Consider your average work day. What do you need to bring to and from the office? Obviously, there's your laptop, maybe an iPad, your phone, chargers for your devices, headphones, possibly an umbrella, some files, maybe a packed lunch as well as an extra change of clothes if you plan to go somewhere after work. Now, think about how you lug around all of that stuff with you. What do you use as your carryall on your average workday? Do you use a backpack, a briefcase, a tote, or a duffel bag? What thought and consideration did you put into picking out your current "work bag?" Or did you just pick it because it was there? So, why are we harping on this? For several reasons.

Why is there a need for men’s office bags?

• It’s a storage bag for men: A good office bag for men serves as a carryall for your everyday necessities. It's an essential companion that allows you to accomplish your daily tasks without getting in the way. You can’t expect to be able to function effectively and efficiently if you aren’t able to bring the tools of your trade plus some everyday essentials with you to work. Now, some men might say that, in this case, just any old bag will do. That brings us to our second point.
• They are stylish bags for men: Imagine yourself going to work, all dressed to impress. But you’re carrying your old college backpack that has seen better days. How do you think that would look? We all know that our appearance has a great impact on how we are perceived in terms of competence and performance. If you want to make a good impression, especially to potential clients and employers, then you need to get a professional bag for work.
• It keeps you organized: Aside from enabling you to carry all your essentials (and even some non-essentials) and helping you look professional, an office bag is a great way for you to stay organized. Office bags generally feature various compartments and pockets that help you create a place for all your things and keep everything in place. Not only will you know where all your things are, it’ll help prevent you from losing any of them to, from, and during your commute.

Different Types of Work Bags for Men

The Briefcase

Nothing says “business” more than the men’s briefcase. It doesn’t matter if all you’re carrying inside is the sandwich you plan on munching on at lunchtime. All anyone will see is the consummate professional (we’re talking about you). The briefcase is stylish and sleek; it won’t be ruining your suit jacket like a backpack slung over your shoulder can.

Take note that there are several types of briefcases available. There’s the leather laptop briefcase for men which is perfect for those who have documents as well as a laptop that needs transporting. If you need more space for your things or you’re a professional on the go, you might want to get a wheeled briefcase (also known as a rolling briefcase).

The Pouch

For many professionals, their laptop is perhaps the most important (as well as the most expensive) thing that you need to carry with you when you go to work. Which means keeping it safe and secure is a top priority (or at least, it should be). A protective case that suits not only your immediate needs but professional appearance is, therefore, the way to go. With a pouch, you can easily tuck it under your arm as you go around town. It's more compact than lugging around a briefcase but it still has enough room to include some important documents. This is a business bag that's perfect for the minimalist and/or the creative professional (i.e. artist, designer, architect).

The Backpack

Ok, so we did say that wearing your old college backpack would not make a good impression in the office. This is still true no matter how casual your work environment is. Remember, you’re an adult now. A certified professional. You’ll need an office bag that states the same. Fortunately, there’s no reason why you can’t use a backpack as an office bag. You just need to make sure that what you pick fits what men’s professional bags should look like. Your office backpack should be made of materials and feature a design that complements your office attire. A leather backpack is both practical and stylish. It’s an ideal office bag for the flexible freelancer - one who uses coffee shops and co-working spaces as their office.

Messenger bag

The messenger bag used to be something only the local paperboys wore. But things have changed over the years and today, this bag is one of the best business casual bags in the market. It's a cross between a briefcase and a backpack. It's incredibly practical because it provides enough room for you to safely transport your laptop, paperwork, charges, and even a brown paper bag lunch. At the same time, it keeps your hands free while providing you with easy access to all your things. If you're a regular commuter, the messenger bag is the perfect men's work bag for you. There are plenty of different styles of messenger bags for you to choose from to suit your personal taste and needs. These can be leather office bags with a zipper-top or a flap-over style. Others are made of waxed cotton canvas which looks more rugged.

The Holdall

Some men have considerably more stuff than could fit in your average briefcase, messenger bag, or backpack. It could be that they need to bring an extra change of clothes for when they stop by the gym during their lunch break. Maybe they have multiple pieces of equipment that need to go with them on their travels like photographers. Or, they’re on their way to a weekend business conference where they’ll meet up with some potential clients. Whatever the case may be, if you need lots of space in your bag but still ensure it’s “professional appearance,” then the holdall is the office bag for you. The holdall is a men’s travel bag that can hold all of your stuff but in an organized way. There are several compartments in a holdall that enable you to keep all your stuff in its proper place. Moreover, you’ll easily find holdalls made of classy materials such as leather that can easily match the office shoes you wear most often.

The Bike Bag

If you're a professional who regularly bikes to work, then you already know that a backpack or messenger bag simply won't do. You need something that will be able to carry your work stuff along with your cycling essentials. You also need a bag that won't strain your shoulders or cause you to sweat even more than you should. This is where the bike bag comes in. There are several different styles available. Of course, you'll need to choose one that fits your purpose in terms of function and style. Usually, these bags are made of a waterproof material and feature a compartment for your laptop. Some may even feature a compartment that keeps your suit wrinkle-free as you cycle your way to work. Just make sure to get a bike bag that comes with dedicated compartments, so you'll stay organized in and out of the office.

Mariam Simmons

Mariam Simmons is a fashion enthusiast and Content Manager at Alpine Swiss. She loves traveling to the world’s top stylish destinations and gets inspired to create helpful fashion and lifestyle guides. With over a decade of writing experience, her main goal in creating content is to ensure readers learn something useful and provide value instead of noise.