A professional bag must be fashionable, convenient, and capable of making an impression; this isn’t always an easy combination to find. If you’re searching for the perfect professional bag, you may find yourself with an abundance of options that are potentially viable – but aren’t quite right for one reason or another.
How do you find the ideal professional bag for your needs?
Tips for Finding the Perfect Professional Bag
These are some of the best tips for finding an appropriate professional bag.
1. Shop handmade. As much as you can, shop handmade. There’s nothing wrong with purchasing a bag made in a factory somewhere, as factories lend themselves to extremely efficient, consistent, streamlined processes. But there’s no question that handmade products are much, much higher quality and are more likely to last for the duration of your career. Handmade leather bags are especially attractive, offering high quality leather in a product that could hypothetically last a lifetime if cared for properly. You can expect to pay a bit more for handmade products, but they’re more than worth it.
2. Shop online and in person. You should also consider shopping both online and in person. Online shopping in the modern era is overflowing with possibilities, connecting you to thousands of potential vendors and practically unlimited styles. This is also a great way to find a good deal. However, it’s also a good idea to shop in person, so you can touch and interact with professional bags and get a better sense of what you like. Plus, shopping locally could introduce you to local artisans who can connect you with a variety of other fashion items.
3. Set a higher budget. In general, you get what you pay for. If you buy the cheapest bag you can find at the dollar store, don’t expect it to look great or last more than a year. If you’re willing to stretch your budget beyond its current limits, you’ll likely end up with something that can last you many years – and look amazing.
4. Look for strap options. You’re going to be carrying your bag frequently, and the conditions for your carrying may change from day to day. Accordingly, you should look for a bag with versatile strap options. Being able to hold and carry the bag, as well as sling it over your shoulder, is ideal.
5. Hide the logo. If you’re buying a professional bag from a mainstream, recognizable brand, it might come with a logo that is readily visible. This isn’t necessarily a deal breaker, but logos can be tacky and pull attention from the rest of your ensemble. Search for a bag that has a more hidden or tasteful logo, or find a way to hide it when in use.
6. Study the interior space. The exterior aesthetics of a professional bag are important, but so is the size and space of the interior. How much will you be able to carry with this? What types of things will you be able to carry? Is this going to fit all of your needs?
7. Prioritize versatility. When in doubt, go with the more versatile option. Ideally, your bag will be a good fit for a wide range of different events and situations, giving you an accessory for almost any conceivable professional scenario.
8. Consider specific niche functionality. You may also consider bags with niche functionality, such as a dedicated sleeve for a laptop if you carry a laptop frequently. With the wide range of professional bags available, you should have no trouble finding even rare and unconventional features.
9. Read ratings and reviews. Don’t just assume that a professional bag is going to be a good value for the money just because it’s expensive or sold by a notable brand. Always take the time to read ratings and reviews from other users, and pay close attention to any user photos submitted that show the bag in a real context.
10. Take good care of your bag! One extra tip here: take good care of your bag once you have it. A good professional bag should last you many years, but you’re only going to maximize that lifespan if you use your bag responsibly, minimize direct damage, and spend time cleaning, conditioning, and protecting it with appropriate products. This is especially important if you’re working with a handmade leather bag or backpack.
Finding the Right Fit
One of the most important things to keep in mind during your professional bag search is that this is a search for a bag for you. While there are some fundamental pieces of advice that could hypothetically apply to anyone searching for a professional bag, you should feel free to disregard pieces of advice you feel are irrelevant to you and ignore conventional bags that are not a good fit for your aesthetics or needs. This is a highly personal search, and while it’s important that your bag is appropriate for your professional environment, it’s also important that you choose something you genuinely like.
Depending on your budget and your needs, this search could take just a few hours or several weeks. As long as you understand what your top priorities are, and you’re willing to explore a wide range of options, you should eventually find something that fits neatly into your niche.
