I received an email the other day that asked what men should do with all of their keys and things in their pockets – basically, how to carry it all because he doesn’t like jamming them all into his pockets. I agree with him 100%.
Putting a big bulky key-chain in your pocket is going to give you a bulge – and not the good kind of bulge! And in the other pocket, you've got a cell phone, headphones, phone chargers, gum or mints...and then in the back pocket, you have your wallet.
As men, we have so many different things occupying all of our pockets, throwing off our pants' symmetry and not allowing them to hang or fall properly. Now, if you wear big and baggy pants, it’s not as big of an issue. But you know what I preach -- it’s all about the fit. Therefore, if you're wearing jeans, chinos, khakis, or pants that are slightly more tailored and a little bit more fitted, you don't have a bunch of room and this bulging situation is definitely a
problem. How we handle this issue?
Let’s start with the keys -- you need to minimize the number of keys you carry around. I recommend only carrying essential keys that you use daily, like your car and home keys. Store the extra non-essential keys (and trinkets) somewhere else, such as in your vehicle’s glove compartment or a bag. Make your key-ring as streamlined as possible, so in the event you have to stick it in your pocket,
which you probably do daily, it'll be streamlined.
So I mentioned a bag – what type of bag, you ask?
The first bag option is a backpack. You know what a backpack is. It has two shoulder straps and is used to carry large, heavy loads. A backpack is comfortable, and it is the most ergonomically correct way to carry heavy stuff when hiking, camping, or carrying textbooks. But we're not talking about heavy stuff here, are we? But if you feel compelled to use one of these hunkers, make
sure you keep it simple and black.
The next bag option is a briefcase that’s super structured and a more formal option. You don’t see too many of these anymore as they aren’t particularly functional in terms of carrying stuff other than papers and pens. Like, what do you do with your computer?
The laptop carrier (reinvented briefcase) has a more modern soft, sleek with shoulder strap options. Laptop carriers are made with a padded lining to keep your laptop safe and scratch-free, the outer fabric varies from leather to polyester to nylon. Some versions feature pockets for chargers, adapters, and office supplies. There are a ton of different styles and options for this reinvented
briefcase.
The messenger bag is another popular option, being originally used for couriers transporting mail. The classic rectangular shape makes this bag versatile for books, papers, and even a laptop. Typically constructed in canvas, it can also be found crafted with polyester and nylon. Basically, you can use this bag for anything, anywhere.
And now for the pièce de ré•sis•tance -- the man bag. It’s a small to medium-sized bag to carry all your daily essentials, including bulky keys but not including your computer. This bag could be a vertical messenger bag, satchel, or hobo bag.
The man bag is the perfect option as it comes in various sizes from small to little bit larger. Keep in mind that once it’s big enough to fit a computer, it’s considered a computer bag. You can choose from different man bag style levels – everything from dressy, pristine leather to more casual & playful.
I own multiple man bags for different situations and outfits. My personal opinion is that bags are like shoes -- you need a variety of options for different situations. One cannot exist on sassy double monk straps alone, and one cannot exist on just having one type of bag.
It's so much easier for me actually to carry a man bag. It’s a super cool accessory, and your pockets are free from all the weight of the everyday carry crap, and people will be like, “Oh, hey! Sweet bag!”
Alpha M. POST of the
WEEK
What do you think if I changed the white sneaker to a double monk-strap ?
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