If you’ve had the chance to peruse Esquire, GQ or Vogue you’ll know that splashes of colour were front and centre on the men’s SS’20 runways. As the fashion show inspiration is beginning to appear in our stores and online, you’ll spot the return of distinct items such as the rugby shirt and 1950’s inspired bowling shirt. But as the clue is in the website title, Bagwhispers, I’m all about the bags; what will the guys be carrying this spring/summer?
Let’s start with the fashion trends. Different fashion editors have their different lists, however, here are the common trends they’ve all mentioned, starting from the bottom up
- Chunky sandals – embrace the fresh air (you don’t have to be in trainers/sneakers all summer) but invest in a pedicure – go on treat yourself
- Cargo trousers – yes, welcome the return of the 1990s. With so many pockets you might think you won’t need a bag. Wrong, the pockets are to lie flat, not to be used
- Prep school – you don’t need to have had the best education, now’s the time to find the rugby shirt, a version of the striped Oxford shirt or don a pin striped suit
- Bare chest it – unbutton that silk or satin shirt to the waist. If this scares you a vest showing from underneath is totally acceptable
- Textiles – for casual days resurrect your leather biker jacket or your denim. For the latter, be brave and double up, jacket and trousers.
Remember it’s all about pockets up top on your jacket and on your legs. With 5 key menswear fashion trends sorted, let’s turn our attention to what bag styles to reach for when wearing any of the trends. Good news, they can be summarised into two bag trends:
- The sling bag – these bags started emerging in previous seasons, so you’re quids in if you’ve already invested. One thing to note; don’t wear it across your back (so last season!), but wear across the chest
- The holdall – go for styles that are soft but have a distinct shape or structure.
So read on to find out how the men’s fashion designers showed us how to rock the looks; see how the bags were styled with the fashion trends on the catwalks:
Oversize it!
From the left you have the satin softness from Emporio Armani, the monochromatic look of tote and sandals from Jil Sander, with a tucked in shirt with a belt matching the bag from Valentino.
Keep it in your hand
It doesn’t matter whether you’re wearing a jacket or shorts, there are box bags to be carried. From the left you have a boxy jacket and bag from Dior; use the bag to break up the tonal outfit like Ermenegildo Zegna or choose to accent like Prada.
Sling shot!
Needing little introduction, the short strap bag, worn up front. You can see that there’s room for bags of all sizes. From the left, the multi light coloured bag from Loewe, followed by the soft white bag over the double breasted blazer from Junya Watanabe, from Neil Barrett here in London, when one sling bag isn’t enough! And finally, from Versace, when wearing an outfit of many colours, go white with your bag for maximum effect.
So don’t get overwhelmed with the many fashion trends, they can be summarised into five and you can’t go wrong with the bag styles as there are only two of them; a front sling or distinct shaped holdall. Go small or large, it doesn’t matter. Just try to resist two possible urges:
- to reach for the backpack
- to max out your pockets
‘Tis the season for your pockets to be seen but not to be used!
If you want to know what are the trends and bag styles for women check out:
- What will you be wearing in spring – fashion trends for SS’20
- Bag trends 2020: Guide to the fashion bags
Photo credits: For main image Andy Garza on Unsplash and runways GQ.
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