As one gets older, the selection of clothing and accessories becomes increasingly important. Many middle-aged men still insist on carrying a messenger bag, but they fail to realize that it might bring about a casual appearance and a lack of refined demeanor.
In fact, replacing it with another type of bag not only enhances the overall appearance, but also makes you feel more confident and stylish in your daily life.
Learn to choose bags like the men in Shanghai, and you will realize that a bag is not just an item for storing things; it is also a little trick to enhance your charm. By grasping a few simple selection methods, you can easily make your look both fashionable and stylish, allowing people to immediately perceive your taste and style.
When I get old, I will definitely never rely on others for money! Why?
No. 1 The bag is too casual and the overall style is not refined.
The most critical problem with the bag is that it can disrupt the smoothness of the overall look. Last week at a classmate gathering, Old Man Qian brought in a trendy bag that was currently popular. The brand logo was clearly displayed on his stomach. He intended to follow the trend, but his overweight body made the bag turn into a "belly bag". The strap-like bag handle precisely divided his round belly into two sections.
To be honest, the requirements for a briefcase regarding one's figure are simply too high. It demands a flat abdomen and a firm waistline, and for most middle-aged men, this is truly too difficult to achieve.
More importantly, a briefcase itself has an informal feel, which doesn't quite match the serious demeanor that we should have at our age. Imagine this: wearing a perfectly ironed shirt and trousers, yet with a sports briefcase hanging around the waist. This situation is like wearing formal leather shoes but pairing them with white socks. No matter from which angle you look at it, it always seems very out of place.
No. 2 The waist pocket has a small capacity and is not suitable for carrying multiple items. Its functionality is insufficient.
Last year, I followed the trend and bought a waist bag. After using it once, I left it unused. It seemed to have a large space size from the outside, but in reality, it was full when only one wallet, a mobile phone, and a set of keys were placed inside. Taking things out was more cumbersome and tiring. Every time, I had to turn the waist bag towards the front of my body, like unbuttoning armor, in order to open the button.
The most embarrassing situation was on rainy days. I had to hold the entire bag in my arms to shield myself from the rain. At this age, we need to carry things like reading glasses, blood pressure medication, and a power bank when going out. The waist bag simply couldn't handle it properly.
The middle-aged man learned from the Shanghai man and changed these three types of bags. His temperament improved by more than just a little bit.
【Tips for Choosing Bags】
Before sharing specific styles, remember these three rules for choosing bags:
The color should be stable. Colors like black, brown, dark blue, and olive green will never go out of style even after being worn for ten years; the material should be solid, genuine leather will show a different luster over time, and good nylon is durable and not prone to deformation; the size should be reasonable, capable of comfortably holding an iPad mini, a spectacle case, and essential small items.
【3 Bags Shanghai Men Love Most】
① Classic Leather Clutch: Understated Luxury
Few bags make as strong an impression as a sleek clutch with no shoulder strap. I have a dark brown leather clutch that I’ve been using for nearly four years. Made from Italian vegetable-tanned leather, it has gradually aged from a light brown into a rich honey-brown shade.
What I love about it is its versatility: you can carry it by hand, tuck it naturally under your arm, or simply place it on the table or your lap when you sit down. Every movement feels effortless and composed.
When choosing this kind of bag, the details matter most. The hardware should be simple and refined, the stitching neat and precise, and the edges carefully finished. I often pair mine with a casual blazer. It adds a kind of effortless elegance that other bags simply can’t replicate.
② Casual Shoulder Bag, Perfectly Balancing Fashion and Function
When it comes to the most practical bags, I would definitely vote for the shoulder bag. When the shoulder strap is adjusted to the position where the bag rests on the hip bone, this posture best showcases one's spirit.
There is a single-shoulder bag made of a combination of military green canvas and leather. It has three compartments. The outer layer is used to store masks and tissues, the middle layer is for holding tablets, and the inner layer has a zipped pocket for storing important documents. When carrying it to catch the subway, meet clients, or pick up grandchildren, there will never be any problems.
③ Premium Crossbody Bag, Enhancing Your Style while Being Comfortable and Practical
Unlike the flashy small bags favored by young people, don't confuse crossbody bags with them. The truly suitable crossbody bags for our type of people should be slightly larger in size and have a more prominent texture. The one I recommend is the leather messenger bag style. The attached straps should be wider to distribute the pressure.
The pockets are best hidden on the back so that it's easier to place your bus card there. Last week, I carried my newly bought crossbody bag in a deep blue color on a one-day trip to Suzhou. While freeing my hands, it also looked very stylish when taking photos.
How should a middle-aged man carry his bag to look cool? Tips from Shanghai men
Tip 1: The position of the bag should be appropriate. Avoid placing it too low, and keep it at a high waistline.
I have seen many men carrying their bags too low, and the bag would swing and sway below their hips, making them look particularly short. The proper way to carry it is:
For a single shoulder bag, one of the situations is that the bottom of the bag is below the belt, and this position is about the width of one palm; for a cross-body bag, its bag body is within the range from the chest to the waist side; for a handbag, when the hand naturally hangs and holds it, the top of the bag will not exceed the hip bone.
Last week, I taught an old friend to adjust the strap of his single shoulder bag. His wife saw it and said with surprise, "How could you suddenly look so tall? " 。
Tip 2: The backpack should match your overall posture. Stand up straight with your abdomen pulled in, making you appear more upright.
The overall demeanor is directly influenced by the posture of the backpack. When observing the men in Shanghai who are good at dressing, I noticed that they have something in common:
In the case of a single shoulder bag, the free hand will not usually be placed in the pocket under normal circumstances; when using a cross-body bag, the strap will be slightly adjusted to make the bag fit properly; and when carrying a handbag, the wrist will hang naturally without being tense.
The most crucial point is that the back should be straight - no matter how expensive the bag is, it cannot fix a hunched or bent back.
Tip 3: When choosing a bag, pay attention to matching its color and style with your clothes to maintain overall harmony.
In the bag cabinet, the rule of "two darks and one light" is always followed, that is, two bags with dark colors, including black and brown, and one bag with a light color, such as khaki or dark blue. By doing this, you can find a bag that matches your clothes no matter what you are wearing.
When it comes to specific matching, dark-colored clothes are paired with medium-toned bags, light-colored clothes with dark-colored bags, and patterned clothes with solid-colored bags.
When wearing a gray suit, I carry a dark brown handbag. When wearing a blue shirt, I carry a black shoulder bag. And when wearing a patterned Polo shirt, I carry an olive green crossbody bag.
Conclusion
To be honest, when men reach a certain age, they will clearly understand that a backpack is not merely for carrying items; it is also for carrying dignity.
That day, I witnessed an elderly gentleman sitting in a coffee shop, taking out his glasses from his leather handbag to read. Such a scene, compared to any advertisement, was more touching to me. A high-quality bag is like an excellent companion, accompanying you throughout the long journey of life. The longer it lasts, the more unique its flavor becomes.
