The best luxury men’s bags that are perfectly practical for the office

Don’t let its name fool you; the Her in Herbag doesn’t denote gender but rather refers to its provenance as a Hermès piece. A variation on the classic Kelly style, this canvas and leather bag was developed sometime around the 1980s and continues to remain a firm favourite for those looking to nab a practical, durable bag from the storied French label, but at a considerably more palatable price point.

The contemporary edition sports all of the same features as its forebearers, such as a fully detachable construction and a removable canvas body. This is to say if you wish to wear the bag without its crossbody strap or want to go with a different canvas body colour, all you need to do is switch out the parts at will. A considerably sized external back pocket with a zipper also makes storing grab-and-go items, such as smartphones, easy and within reach at all times. Inside, an additional zippered pouch that can be removed provides more secure storage for wallets or cardholders. Opt for the 39, which suits best as a work bag to fit laptops.

Dimensions: 39cm lengthwise, 28cm in height

Prices indicated have been converted from CNY to MYR based on rates accurate as of writing. 

Arguably his most seminal bag design by quite a margin, John Galliano’s Saddle bag has now easily joined the covetable ranks as one of fashion history’s most eminent It Bags. First emerging on the runway in 1999 as part of Dior’s Fall/Winter 2000 presentation, the bag was not immediately beloved owing to its unusual proportions. But all it took was for some of the most notable trendsetters from the turn of the century (otherwise known as Paris Hilton and Sarah Jessica Parker) to be seen carrying the bag for it to be propelled into a fashion must-have.

That being said, the Saddle has always been associated most closely with women until very recently, when creative director of Dior menswear Kim Jones introduced a masculine take on the design. This spawned all manner of derivatives, including the Dior Saddle Soft messenger bag, which sports the Saddle Bag’s iconic double-bubble motif on its front flap. As a large carry-all, this can easily fit not just a laptop, but even a change of clothes for the gym if needed. Best of all, a removable top handle and crossbody strap grant multiple styling options.

Dimensions: 40cm lengthwise, 29.5cm in height

Designer and photographer Hedi Slimane is known for a few things: his affinity for androgyny and 1980s party sleek in his clothes, and exceptional handbags. His tenure as creative director for Saint Laurent is indicative of that, spawning red hot hits such as the Niki bag and the Sac De Jour top handle that continue to remain staple items from within the brand’s inventory, despite his departure from Saint Laurent in 2016. The Sac De Jour in particular has proven to be an extremely timeless style, sporting clean lines and balanced proportions.

While it may have been developed as a women’s bag from the start, a derivative style for Saint Laurent menswear has also been introduced in the guise of the Sac De Jour Large. Resembling a briefcase, this corporate-approved tote can be carried by its rolled handles or worn crossbody when filled to the brim. Inside, a removable zippered pouch means you can keep your valuables secure when carrying the bag, or detach it for use as a clutch when heading out for lunch.

Dimensions: 40cm lengthwise, 30cm in height

In the realm of recognisable house codes, motifs used on coated canvas tend to be the first order of business for many luxury brands. Where Gucci is concerned, this is expressed through the Gucci Supreme print, which sports their signature interlocking double-G design that was first trademarked in 1955. Designed by Aldo Gucci, it was meant to pay tribute to the brand’s founder and his father, the late Guccio Gucci, upon in passing. Since then, it has gone on to become a truly cherished figment of Gucci’s heritage, appearing on all manner of its pieces from apparel to shoes.

A smart and put-together way of wearing the GG Supreme print with you in an office environment can be found in the Gucci Business Case, which exhibits all the typical proportions of an office bag neatly wrapped in the brand’s signature pattern in coated canvas. Carry it by the top handles or sling it on your shoulder with the removable crossbody strap, and enjoy the benefits of a decently spacious workplace companion that comes with a padded section specifically to fit and protect your laptop or tablet from damage.

Dimensions: 40cm lengthwise, 30.5cm in height

Prices indicated have been converted from USD to MYR based on rates accurate as of writing. 

Dating back to 1952, the French maison of Givenchy maintains a truly enviable legacy that is inherently intertwined with the world of high glamour. After all, its namesake designer, Hubert de Givenchy, was one of Old Hollywood’s most coveted couturiers and was known for his close friendship with legendary actress Audrey Hepburn. She was most notably dressed by Givenchy for the film Breakfast at Tiffany‘s, sporting the now-fabled Little Black Dress that inspired a legion of derivative designs.

Take a slice of that mystique with you into the office with the Givenchy Large Voyou bag, a design introduced by former creative director Matthew Williams. Best defined by its supple, insouciant vibe, this is a decidedly more casual look compared to the typically rigid assortment of attaches and business bags. But it is by that merit which grants the Voyou excellent carrying capacity and great comfort when carrying, as the leather moulds along the contours of your body. Nab it in canvas for added durability against the elements.

Dimensions: 55cm lengthwise, 42cm in height

French couture house Balenciaga has been known to push the boundaries of what is deemed acceptable in fashion, often making a point of turning reality on its head by drawing inspiration from the mundane. This doesn’t mean that they haven’t witnessed their fair share of commercial successes where bags are concerned, especially when one considers how ubiquitous the Balenciaga Hourglass and the Le Cagole bags have become among the fashion-forward crowd.

While newer as a style, the Balenciaga Superbusy Tote doesn’t lack in appeal, especially for men who take their style off the beaten track. Part of the Superbusy range, which is defined by a plethora of cargo pockets, this tote bag (literally) has a compartment for everything, with six separate zippered sections galore festooned over its front for items such as your AirPods, to loose cards. There’s also a massive zippered pocket on the back for your wallet and phone for added security, while the main tote section easily accommodates a 13-inch laptop.

Dimensions: 37cm lengthwise, 40cm in height

Spanish fashion house Loewe has been on nothing short of a victory lap since appointing British designer Jonathan Anderson at its helm back in 2013. Under his leadership, the brand has gained a huge wave of popularity among general luxury consumers for its brilliantly whimsical aesthetic, which is accented by surprisingly novel touches, paired alongside ingenious construction that has come to define many of their core bags. This is especially true of the Puzzle bag, which has since spawned all manner of guises including a tote.

But it is the new Convertible Backpack that we would advise you to turn your attention to, especially for men who genuinely appreciate keeping their hands free while out and about. In its default shape, the backpack can be accessed through a zipper that runs down the middle. But if you want to sling it on a shoulder, the bag can be unbuckled and converted into a shoulder bag guise in a pinch. Its dimensions are large enough to fit all tablets and laptops measuring up to 13 inches, but wider devices may be a bit of a challenge owing to its unique folds.

Dimensions: 40cm lengthwise, 50cm in height

CELINE has worn many different guises since its inception, from shifting the fashion paradigm with luxuriously simple minimalism ala Phoebe Philo, to the glamorous rocker suave of Hedi Slimane’s oeuvre. But regardless of the era, one thing remains consistent across the board: CELINE is for those who enjoy that French touch of je nes se quois cool. Luckily for men in corporate, there happens to be just the bag that embodies that virtue with ease.

Meet the CELINE Large Messenger Bag in Nylon, which presents a solid case for a simple, rugged day-to-day work bag that is easy to use and functional enough to segue from the boardroom to the gym. Sporting a zippered pocket on its flap for storage of grab-and-go essentials, two metal buckles keep your other valuables securely held within. And with nylon repelling rainy days, you won’t have to worry too much about the occasional splash.

Dimensions: 37cm lengthwise, 28cm in height

But we can’t talk about nylon without touching on the one brand whose insistence on using the fabric truly revolutionised its role in luxury fashion: Prada. In a stroke of unprecedented genius, designer Miuccia Prada decided to incorporate the typically utilitarian textile into her family’s range of products and accessories to bridge form with function, and unlocked nylon’s potential as an alternative to the typical leather and canvas options available on the market at the time. Rugged and hardy, Prada’s nylon bags easily withstood the test of time and use, as indicated by many well-maintained vintage pieces that are still sold on the vintage market today.

It is thanks to nylon that the typically staid and serious briefcase gains an air of youth, as exemplified by the Prada Re-Nylon and Saffiano Leather interpretation. While sharing in typical lines, the nylon fabric infuses it with a laid-back pragmatism for a go-anywhere, do-anything attitude. Two capacious sections secured by zippers grant ease of storage for even 15-inch laptops, while concealed straps can turn it into a backpack.

Dimensions: 40cm lengthwise, 31cm in height

Similarly, stealth-wealth staple Bottega Veneta is also witnessing a commercial uptick from a wider scope of consumers, with creative director Matthieu Blazy propelling the brand forward off on the momentum set by his mentor, Daniel Lee. Renowned for its use of woven leather as a core motif, the Italian luxury goods company continues to make waves for its inventive use of hides, resulting in sculptural pieces that toe the line between art and apparel.

With that being said, don’t be so quick to dismiss their non-leather offerings, as there are more than a handful of gems that are worth your consideration. Take the Small Voyager backpack, for example. Crafted out of a robust technical fabric, you won’t have to worry about nicks or scratches with this utility-led design. Its interior volume is large enough to fit devices measuring up to 13 inches vertically, while an accompanying jacquard strap means you can also carry it as a tote bag on a shoulder in complete comfort.

Dimensions: 32cm lengthwise, 35cm in height

Chances are, most Malaysian luxury consumers would likely not have heard of Fauré Le Page, and that comes as no surprise when given how the brand doesn’t operate any retail stores here. Yet, make no mistake: they are by no means a new entrant to the luxury scene, when considering how the company’s roots can be traced back to 1717 as a firearms manufacturer to nobility and royalty. That chapter of their history is still a prominent facet, as indicated by their pistol-shaped pouches.

Today, the brand is among one of France’s oldest leather goods manufacturers, with the Daily Battle line of tote bags constituting their most popular product. Crafted out of painted coated canvas in the same vein as Goyard bags are, they are exceptionally durable and come with two adjustable shoulder straps. Opt for the Zip version, which comes with a zipper closure, for added security and enjoy its truly expansive volume in the 35 size, which more than easily accommodates most laptops with ease.

Dimensions: 35cm lengthwise, 30cm in height

Prices indicated have been converted from USD to MYR based on rates accurate as of writing. 

You don’t need us to tell you that Coach has set the bar when it comes down to attainable luxury. Offering exceptional quality, the heritage American luxury goods label is easily one of the most popular names to shop from for two reasons: great value, as indicated by their palatable price points that still offer genuinely excellent quality, and designs that while contemporary, do not shy away from their storied legacy 83 years in the making.

So if you’re looking for a distinguished addition to your business day armoury that won’t leave a hole in your finances, the Coach Gotham Portfolio is a great option. The design is simple in itself, boasting a silhouette that is typical to most business cases with handles that integrate into two striped pieces of leather that run along the length of the bag’s front. Two sections offer ideal storage for a laptop and work documents, while a detachable crossbody strap adds to its utility. The leather option comes embossed with the Coach monogram, if you enjoy an added layer of pizzaz.

Dimensions: 38.5cm lengthwise, 29.5cm in height

Only a handful of designer bags could have managed what Longchamp achieved with the Le Pliage range: reach a point of ubiquity whereby women in almost every major city can be seen carrying one. Personally penned by then-CEO Philippe Cassegrain, the Le Pliage would go on to become one of the world’s best-selling designer accessories, beloved for its approachable price point which shockingly, does not comprise on its exceptional quality and durability.

Today, the bag is available in all manner of sizes and derivatives, ranging from vertical totes to weekend duffles that can double as cabin bags for frequent fliers. One example is the Longchamp Le Pliage Expandable Travel Bag, which as you can imagine, was originally developed for use on flights. But by no means does that mean it can’t double as a volumous work bag either, offering plenty of room for a laptop and even bulky gym water bottles in its original shape. Need more space? Then just unzip its midsection to elongate the bag, which will fit enough changes of clothes to last four days.

Dimensions: 45cm lengthwise, 35cm in height (before expanding)