What’s In A Bag? – The Correlation Between The Type Of Bag You Carry And Your Personality

By Brian Maynor
November 8, 2013

We all know what you wear is a reflection of your personality, so what does your bag have to say?

Whether you change your bag every day, every season or just every decade the type of bag you choose to carry explains a lot about your priorities, preferences and penchant for style. The guys are not left out of this debate.  We too have bag options that shed a little light on our fashion conscious.  Here are my takeaways on bag personalities:

1.    Shoulder Bags.  There are two versions of this bag, over-the-shoulder and under-the-shoulder, and they have very different implications. 

Over-the-shoulder bags, including messenger bags, are some of the most popular types of bags because they are practical yet fashionable, just like the people who carry them.  These bags also reflect someone who tends to be an even-tempered decision maker.   

Under-the-shoulder bags imply class and sophistication.  Preferred by women of stature and up-scale professionals because these bags are small and tucked under your arm they tend to be carried as an accessory, not a necessity.

2.    Tote Bags.  This unisex bag has grown in popularity over the recent years and symbolizes a fun-loving spirit that is also practical.  These bags hold a lot of stuff for a busy life that is refined, understated yet engaged.

3.    Briefcases.  Men and women who carry a briefcase are driven professionals who won’t let anything stand in their way.  Holding very little other than folders or a laptop, this is an all business approach to a bag and people carrying a briefcase can come across as formal and austere.

4.    Oversized Bags.  This is the one-size-fits-all approach to handbags.  People carrying these bags rarely change them and value function over form.  Always practical, rational and prepared, but then again with everything at your fingertips I would hope that was the case.

5.    Logo Bags.  Just like extra zippers, jewels, chains or other embellishments, people who carry logo bags want attention and correlate value and importance to a specific brand.  People carrying these bags come across as overconfident, showy and fake. 

Take a second to look at the bag you carried today and try to articulate why you chose it then check out your co-workers.  You may learn something new about yourself and others you couldn’t articulate before. 

 Click on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

Click on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

I am always curious to hear about your weekend wardrobe dilemmas and help make your work wardrobe pu