Are Men’s Tote Bags Unfashionable? We Asked a Bag Designer for His Opinion!

Isn’t a tote bag something for women?”
“Doesn’t it look a bit awkward for a man to carry one?”

You might have come across such comments on social media or in search results, which may have made you feel uncertain.

Hi, I’m Nakajima, responsible for product planning at HushTug, a Japanese leather brand.

Today, I’m going to address the question, “Is it okay for men to carry tote bags?” and share some tips on how to choose the perfect bag for you without making a mistake.

“Is it true that men’s tote bags are unfashionable?”

The short answer: Absolutely not.

It’s perfectly fine for men to carry tote bags!

Personally, I love using them, and in fact, many of our male customers at the HushTug showroom purchase tote bags regularly.

However, some people, particularly those in their 60s and 70s, still associate tote bags with women’s fashion.

We often receive questions like, “Is it really okay for a man to carry a tote bag?”

That being said, with a little attention to how you carry and choose your tote bag, you can create a much more refined and stylish impression.

3 Key Tips for Carrying a Tote Bag Stylishly

1.Go for Simplicity in Design

Instead of bags with lots of embellishments, opt for a simple, clean design.

A good rule of thumb is to limit the colors you wear, including the bag, to just three.

This creates a cohesive, polished look.

For example, if you’re wearing a monochrome outfit, you can introduce a bag in a subtle shade like brown to add variety.

However, avoid bags with multiple color changes as they can make your outfit feel disjointed.

2. Material Makes a Big Difference

The material of your bag plays a crucial role in the overall impression.

For business occasions, leather is definitely the best choice.

Compared to nylon or other materials, leather gives a more luxurious feel and conveys professionalism and trustworthiness.

On the other hand, for casual outings, canvas or nylon totes are a great match.

They offer a softer, more relaxed look.

3. Choose the Right Color for Business

When carrying a tote in a business setting, both the material and color are important considerations.

Bright colors or bold designs can draw too much attention, so it’s safer to go for darker, more subdued tones like black, dark brown, or navy.

We can all agree that a shocking pink tote isn’t the best choice for a meeting, right? While some people can pull off unique colors, if you’re unsure, it’s best to start with a classic color that exudes professionalism.

In Summary: The Right Tote Bag Can Elevate Your Look

Let’s recap the key points for men who want to carry a tote bag:

Tip 1: Choose a simple design – limit colors to three and keep embellishments minimal.
Tip 2: Pick the right material for the occasion – leather for business, nylon or canvas for casual wear.
Tip 3: For business, opt for muted, classic colors – black, navy, or brown are the safest choices.

If you’re worried about being seen as “unfashionable” but still want to look stylish, follow these tips and find the tote bag that suits you best. At HushTug, we offer simple, elegant leather totes that are perfect for both professional and casual use.

Interested? Take a look at our selection of tote bags!