Get the Country Gent look

The Glorious 12th is only a few weeks away and the country set are gearing up for the season.
But it is not only the die hard country folk who dusting down their favourite outfits, tweed and leather is in this Autumn and the look for men is Country Gent.
Ashwood Leather were one of the first to spot the fashion and they have brought out  handsome new holdalls, a messenger bag, a shoulder bag as well as a couple of wash bags, all in tweed and brown leather.
The Duccani tweed holdall (£136.99) is is casual, yet stylish, rough and ready but luxurious. In distressed soft brown cow's leather and tweed with soft canvas carry straps that can be extended to go snugly over the shoulder. There are zip pockets front and back with another inside the main cotton lined compartment. The fittings are in brushed antique brass effect. Superb. It should also be good to carry it on, even the budget airlines would struggle to turn you back with this one over your shoulder! Or if you more mobility, there is the same bag with extendable handle and wheels for £175.99.
Measures 56 x 37 x 16.5 cms (22 x 14.5 x 6.5 ins)

If that isn't the one to carry to country retreat before the shoot then check out the Gladstone tweed (£154.99), two great traditions come together in this bag - the Gladstone design and the material, tweed.
Made from grained brown leather and tweed this hinged bag featues a zip pocket front along with antique brass effect clasps. The zip top folds out to a generous 30cms access revealing the luxurious striped brown on brown lining with a zipped pocket to the rear. Carrying is a choice of either the twin handles with leather press stud lock or an adjustable leather shoulder strap with comfort pad. Measures 48 x 36 x 24cms (18 x 14 x 9.5ins) giving it a 41 litre capacity.There are two great matching wash bags for your stay - with the Ashwood Game wash bag (£49.99) 

The bottom unzips to reveal two bottle pockets and elasticated stays for your razor, toothbrush etc. as well as a zip net pocket. There's another zip net pocket in the main compartment. There are also grab handles on one end and one side.
Measures 28 x 16 x 15cms (11 x 6.25 x 6ins)

Alternatively there is the Game fold out wash bag (£49.99) with its own hook to hang on the back of the bathroom door. Open the press stud secured flap (which is adjustable depending on how much you are carrying) to reveal a toothpaste/toothbrush sized zip pocket at the top, a velcro secured pocket and bottle pockets in the middle and a large zip compartment across the bottom. Folded up it measures 26 x 16 and folded out 50 x 26cms (10.25 x 6.25 and 19.75 x 6.25ins)

But what to carry during the day? There is a fantastic Game messenger bag (£112.99) that really does look the part. Sam Brown studs hold down the cotton stripe lined flap which lifts to reveal two popper secured pockets on the front. Inside there is a full width leather piped drop pocket and drop pockets in the main compartment for you mobile and iPod. There is also a zip pocket inside across the back. On the back of the bag is another full width zip pocket. The brown canvas shoulder strap with soft leather comfort pad extends to 150cms. Measures 43 x 30 x 11cms (17 x 11.75 x 4.5ins)

Or if you want smaller then go for the Ashwood Game shoulder bag (£69.99)  that for all the world looks as if it should be packing shotgun cartridges. A quick release buckle opens the leather cotton striped lined flap. The same lining goes throughout the main compartment which features a leather piped drop pocket in the front. There's another one across the back of the bag. The brown canvas strap is 120cms long Measures 24 x 23 x 10cms (9.5 x 9 x 4ins)

Finally if it is the look you want, but definitely not the animal carcases then go for the Matt and Nat  Faithless tweed effect holdall (£199). The Matt and Nat range is devoid of any animal products (fur, leather, silk and wool) which means this holdall is made of faux 'vegan' leather which ages in much the same way as other leather bags.

The sky blue interior is made of 21 recycled plastic bottles and has a zip pocket and drop pockets for your mobile, ipod and pens Neat. The shoulder strap is removable making it great for a weekend away or for taking to the gym. Measures 47 x 27 x 20cms (18.5 x 10.5 x 8ins)

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Flying the flag with mens bags

AN interesting trend is coming to the fore this year - the use of the Union Jack on men's bags.
Perhaps it is an increased patriotism based on the Royal Wedding, next year's Diamond Jubilee or more likely a national fervour whipped up by the pending London Olympics in 2012.
We have introduced several new bags from wash bags to holdalls at Blokesbags all featuring the Union Jack, loud and proud.

Both Storm UK and Dunlop have come out with a messenger bag and Culinary Concepts have gone one further with a day bag, laptop cover, wash bag and holdall all made from 100% recycled materials.

In fact Culinary Concepts don’t just recycle, they re-use and reclaim using old military canvas tents as their core material. No two of these bags are alike as each piece has its own character, patched and mended where necessary. It's a make and mend ethos using natural dyes on reclaimed canvas.

The day bag, wash bag and laptop bag each feature the Union Jack on the exterior, whilst the holdall is lined with it.

I can only think that some people are always looking for different ways of showing their pride in being British and these bags tick all the boxes whilst being practical for day to day use

The Vintage Flag day bag which retails for £84.99 measures 31 x 38 x 12cms; the Vintage Flag laptop sleeve (£75), 38 x 28 cm ( up to a 15inch laptop); the Vintage Flag wash bag (£69.99), 30 x 20 x 18 and the Vintage Flag holdall (£154.99) a generous 70 x 40 x 28cms.

The Storm Union Flag messenger bag which retails at £42.99 is made of black/grey PU, lift the half flap bearing its black and grey version of the Union Jack, and there is a full width velcro secured drop pocket below the singular Storm logo. And that is not all. The lining in the main compartment is a combination of red, white and blue. It measures 34 x 34 x 12cms (13.5 x 13.5 x 4.75ins).

The Dunlop flag shoulder bag retails at just £28.99. Made of PU, a  distressed Union Jack Flag adorns this iconic shoulder bag from Dunlop which also features a metal Dunlop logo . Fully lined in grey fabric with the Dunlop logo printed on it. The blue shoulder strap expands to 170cms. Measures 36 x 28 x 13cms (14 x 11 x 5.5ins)

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Top ten satchel bags for men

Satchels are the bags for men to be seen with this summer.

Reflecting the trend on the High Street where fashion favours the ‘prep’ look, designers have come up with a range of  men’s bags in tweed, leather and PU  satchels.

They are worn dangling from the shoulder or across the chest or in the case of cyclists slung across the back and whilst they vary in detailing and construction material, the one thing they have in common is that they all look like oversized versions of the ubiquitous school satchels carried by school children in the sixties and seventies.

Online retailer www.blokesbags.co.uk has compiled a top ten list of satchels for men:

Top of the range is the Calvin Klein laptop satchel messenger made of a mix of leather and nylon at £190. Available in black or brown the double popper secured flap lifts to reveal another magnetic popper secured drop pocket. The main compartment has a removable padded laptop sleeve and a zip pocket in the back. There's another magnetic popper secured drop pocket across the back. The broad strap with comfort shoulder pad extends to 150cms. Very stylish.
Measures 36 x 28 x 10cms (14 x 11 x 4ins)

At the other end of the scale is the Troop work satchel messenger bag made of 100% cotton and Italian leather available for just £42.99. A very practical messenger bag in hard wearing cotton with Italian leather trim. The flap with zip compartment is secured by two magnetic poppers hidden behind the leather buckles. Open it up and there is a fully lined zip pocket with drop pockets for your credit cards, pens and mobile phone. The main compartment is secured by a zip and there is another zip pocket inside. There's a further zip pocket across the back and the canvas strap is fully adjustable.
Measures 38 x 36 x 5cms (15 x 14 x 2ins)

Here is the full Blokesbags top ten satchel guide:

1.      Troop work satchel messenger bag £42.99 School meets the workplace http://www.blokesbags.co.uk/acatalog/Troop_work_messenger_bag.html

2.      Woodland casual messenger £82.99 Ideal with jeans http://www.blokesbags.co.uk/acatalog/Woodland_casual_messenger_bag.html

3.      Ashwood Jasper messenger bag £105 Just right to carry netbook or iPad http://www.blokesbags.co.uk/acatalog/Ashwood_Jasper_iPad_netbook_messenger.html

4.      Pell Mell travel satchel game bag £129.99 Straight from the countryside onto the High Street http://www.blokesbags.co.uk/acatalog/Travel_satchel_game_bag.html

5.      Nature Trail mini ipad messenger bag £59.99 Where better to put your shiny new iPad? http://www.blokesbags.co.uk/acatalog/Nature_Trail_iPad_netbook_messenger.html

6.      Ashwood messenger game bag £112.99 New for this season – tweed http://www.blokesbags.co.uk/acatalog/Ashwood_messenger_game_bag.html

7.      Mudd double buckle messenger bag £113.99 Back to the future? The school satchel only bigger http://www.blokesbags.co.uk/acatalog/Mudd_double_buckle_messenger_bag.html

8.      Nature Trail satchel style messenger bag £105.99 A modern take on an old favourite http://www.blokesbags.co.uk/acatalog/Nature_Trail_satchel_style_messenger.html

9.      Drift classic satchel messenger bag £169.99 Made of the same leather as your Gran’s sofa http://www.blokesbags.co.uk/acatalog/Drift_Classics_messenger_bag.html

10.   Calvin Klein laptop satchel messenger £190 Top line High Street fashion from a bespoke designer http://www.blokesbags.co.uk/acatalog/Calvin_Klein_laptop_satchel_messenger.html

Established in 2008 www.Blokesbags.co.uk was set up by a husband and wife team and was the first on the web to deal exclusively in a range of men’s bags and now has more than 350 bags to choose from.

All pictures are available in high resolution from David@Blokesbags.co.uk or by ringing David or Carole on 0333 123 0132. The can also be downloaded from Press Loft: http://www.pressloft.com/browser.php?ccid=2716&iid=1

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Calvin Klein coming soon

The new store is up and looking good http://www.blokesbags.co.uk. OK if truth be told there are a few things that still need finishing off and there are several new ranges of messenger bags and briefcases to be added over the next few weeks starting with Dunlop tomorrow.
Dunlop produce a superb range of retro shoulder bags out of PU and leather look materials. Think the original Pan Am shoulder bag and design wise are on the right lines and they are priced very low - great for students and youngsters generally. Keep an eye on http://www.blokesbags/
Our new range of Calvin Klein bags arrived in the store room yesterday and just when I thought I had finally finished all the new photography, product cut outs and descriptions it is back to the studio. I wish I could remember just what we bought from Mr Klein back in February, but I can't. I am pretty sure there are some pretty funky holdalls and messenger bags, but feel pretty sure there are a few very different men's shoulder bags in and among.
No doubt, as soon as I get those up and online the new Bench bags will arrive to join the fray. But hopefully that is it for six months or so until the designers wheel out the next round.
Actually, not true, there are still some new canvas and leather messenger bags and holdalls to come in from Ashwood leathers. Well overdue.


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Blokesbags on the catwalk at London Fashion Week

Three of our bags made it onto the catwalk at London Fashion Walk as part of the Autumn 2011 collections.
You will note that not only are men's bags at the forefront of men's fashion, the emphasis going forward is moving away from the established shades of  brown to black.

Check out this Detour Hudson holdall:

Or this Rowallan oiled leather holdall:

And finally a non leather offering - the Faithless from Matt & Nat:

For more bags from one of the biggest ranges on the web go to Blokesbags or if it is just the holdalls

The biggest range of men's bags on the web is about to get bigger!

Things are moving on apace in the world of mens bags.
Not only are more people coming to accept them and using bags for men in their daily lives, they can be seen on every high street in Britain.
Manufacturers are catching on and switching part of their production for their female clients to ranges dedicated exclusively to men.
Not surprisingly there are also a great many more people now selling bags for men on and off line than there were when we started two and a half years ago. Yes, two and a half years!
We have therefore bitten the proverbial bullet and undertaken a major overhaul of Blokesbags and redesigned it from top to bottom.
When it relaunches later this month there will be a bigger range of man bags in all headings - handbags, shoulder bags for men, messenger bags, ipad bags, wash bags for men, wallets, briefcases and holdalls.
Furthermore each photograph - we have taken just short of 2000 of them over the last few weeks - will be magnifiable allowing you to focus right down to the stitching.
New ranges being added over the next weeks and months will include everything from top designers to entry level affordable business bags.
We already have the largest range of men's bags on the web and we aim to consolidate that position with at least 50 or more new styles.
We are very excited and we hope that after the launch you will share our enthusiasm. We would love to get your feedback so please do drop us an email to: David


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone Blokesbags