You’re either a bag guy or you’re not. Far be it from us to generalise, but in our experience, there’s one type of man who prefers to stick to an old faithful for daily use (rather than shlepping the contents of his life from pouch to pouch), and another who takes every opportunity to change up his change purse. One thing unites them both, however – the necessity for certain kinds of bags. While we are thankfully no longer quite so beholden to gendered ideas of what a man can and should carry (the sexist disdain at Joey’s man bag is a thing of the past), we can probably all agree that one cannot, or would rather should not, take a briefcase to the beach.

Today, thanks to brands such as Bottega Veneta, LOEWE and Gucci, men’s bags are as diverse and desirable as those created for women. So, we thought it’s only right to help you pin down the eight styles necessary for a well-rounded wardrobe and life, from weekend bags to backpacks and back again. Pick one of each, and we think you’ll be set up for every occasion.

The tote bag might just be the most varied and, dare we say it, versatile bag on this list. It covers everything from those blessed fabric totes taking up space on the back of the kitchen door to casual nylon, canvas or twill numbers (we’re fans of a bold logo or colour block here), as well as high-end sleek leather examples that wouldn’t look out of place at a business meeting.

Despite its pure, functional design – isn’t a tote the very essence of a bag? – this style is actually a relative newcomer to the scene. It first gained notable popularity after American outdoor brand LL Bean launched it as a bag for carrying ice (yes, that specific) in 1944, but was soon taken up as a practical receptacle for shopping and other household uses. Eight decades on, the style is still going strong – though we might suggest that LOEWE’s exemplary Puzzle bag has taken the top spot now.

If you’re anything like us, you’ll agree that a backpack at the beach is just not chic. For your holidays, you need a couple of styles: a roomy beach bag that will fit your towel, book, sunscreen and other essentials, and a lightweight bag for daytime excursions and evening wanders.

The former can take many forms – tote, holdall or crossbody – but crucially should be easy to wear and fill, somewhat water- and sun-resistant and with a pleasant summery vibe. For this reason, raffia is king. A timeless summer material, it’s casual yet elegant. And if your personal look is usually a bit more city sleek, just pick a style in black.

For the latter type of vacation bag, a natural material is also a winner, and we’d pick a slouchy crossbody bag, pouch or mini tote. Now’s a good time to inject a bit of colour, too – try one of your favourite iconic bags such as a Bottega Veneta Intrecciato, but in luminous poolside blue.

The weekend bag has its roots in the duffel bag, a style that can be traced back to the 17th century, when it was first used by sailors. (It was later employed throughout the military, giving it its other name, the kit bag.) Originally cylindrical with a drawstring closure, the duffel bag is always crafted from a hardwearing material. In fact, it gets its name from Duffel, the Belgian town where the tough cloth first used to make them originated from.

Nowadays, most bags we might consider a weekend bag are actually holdalls, aka sports bags, with flat bases and short handles. Whether you go for a duffel, holdall or even an oversized tote (handy for slinging over your shoulder and keeping your hands free while on the go), keep with tradition and choose a durable material such as leather or thick canvas, preferably reinforced and with comfortable handles and straps. If in doubt, a classic all-over logo leather holdall is hard to beat.

For too long, “It” bags were the preserve of womenswear. Made famous on runways and sometimes through celebrity affiliation (see the Birkin), these bags became status symbols that indicated the wearer’s passion for style – while equally performing their practical role as a carrier of things.

It’s long since time men got in on the action, and thanks to brands like the aforementioned Bottega Veneta (whose coveted Intrecciato weaving is instantly recognisable), it’s more than possible. Whether it’s a statement yellow Puzzle Fold from LOEWE (another brand doing big things for men’s bags), CELINE HOMME’s Triomphe logo or an oversized tote from Fear of God, add one of these bags to your collection for those times when you want to assert your sartorial superiority.

Ah, the backpack. Many a man’s unfortunate downfall. We’re not going to sniff at this eminently useful style, but there are too many guys out there letting badly chosen sports rucksacks ruin their looks when it simply isn’t necessary.

Another type of bag with military beginnings, the many-compartmented backpack (or, if we’re talking about a larger example, rucksack) has practicality at its core. In fact, it comes in handy for a number of jobs – casual work days, active trips, errand-packed outings to name a few. The continued crossover of sportswear into the casualwear wardrobe has furthered their reign as man’s best bag friend.

But we urge you to make your choice carefully. Our preference for upping the style stakes is to go for a high-quality material such as leather, or look to one of the classic fashion heavyweights, such as Brunello Cucinelli, for a simple and perfectly formed example.

Crossbody bags have arguably become the go-to man’s bag, helped by iconic iterations from Gucci, SAINT LAURENT and Bottega Veneta, as well as crossover streetwear influences seen in collections from labels such as Off-White. From giant sacks to tiny phone holders, the style encompasses so many transportational opportunities that you may need a couple of these in your roster.

On the larger end of the spectrum, we have sling bags and messenger bags that can be traced back to the Romans, as well as modern-day equivalents of the beloved schoolboy satchel. These are ideal for conveying laptops, books and other bulkier items.

On the smaller, we find diminutive pouches – not too far removed from their medieval coin purse ancestors – and structured bags as well as the hugely popular belt bag. These run the gamut from super wearable everyday bag (in sturdy canvas or nylon) to fancy evening bag (embellished and crucially too small to be practical at any other time). Go for one of each.

When we talk about investment bags, we’re not thinking about resale value (we’ll take care of that with MR PORTER RESELL) or even the unavoidable fact that these are sometimes the pricier items up for consideration. Instead, these pieces derive their value from quality craftsmanship and enduring design. They are the forever bags – collector’s items that you can wear year after year without fail.

For longevity, leather and suede are the top choices here, particularly tactile full-grain hide. A classic shape and understated fastenings and trim are best, such as a boxy tote or messenger bag with simple metal buckles or zips, and we prefer a larger size for practicality and ease of use.

Perhaps one of the first clearly identifiable “man bags”, the briefcase came into being following the industrial revolution and the rise of the middle class, when travelling to and from the city from suburban homes became more widespread. Nowadays, the briefcase has somewhat waned in prevalence, with many office workers preferring an admittedly more versatile (though scruffier) backpack, tote or messenger bag.

However, we’re here to make the case for the briefcase. Not only does a proper briefcase effectively store your laptop, papers and other necessities without them getting bashed or crumpled, it neatly delineates work from pleasure and just looks that bit smarter. With modern options available from brands including SAINT LAURENT and Porter-Yoshida & Co, there’s no excuse not to make a good impression.