Tote bags are perfect for work. Three reasons why working men are increasingly graduating from business bags.

2024/02 HushTug Editorial Department

Since I'm an office worker, I need a business bag.

For people of a generation that received strict instructions about bags and clothing, it may be natural that they still use business bags in the same way today.

However, as the number of remote workers has increased dramatically over the past two years, companies are becoming more flexible than ever and are beginning to move away from traditional dress code and culture.

When it comes to the "business bags" mentioned above, it seems that many people are choosing them based on different criteria than before.

Many people choose tote bags as their work bags.

Let me introduce myself again. My name is Nakajima and I am the manager of the showroom of the leather brand HushTug.

I usually talk to a lot of customers at the store, and the most common one is

"I came here because I was looking for a tote bag that I could use as a business bag."

This is a customer.

In a survey we conducted, 75% of people who chose a tote bag said they would use it for work.

Why have so many people started choosing tote bags over business bags?

People who have taken for granted that they use business bags

"I wish I had made it into a tote bag sooner!!"

There may be a reason to regret it.

Three benefits of graduating from business bags and choosing tote bags

Based on these questions, we have compiled the top three "benefits of graduating from a business bag and choosing a tote bag" based on the opinions of customers who have actually visited our stores.

① Can be carried on the shoulder or by hand

First of all, compared to regular briefcase-style business bags, many people feel that being able to carry it on the shoulder is the best!

The bags used as business bags today are:

・Traditional business bag (briefcase type)
・2way or 3way business bag
・Business backpack
・Business tote bag

They can be broadly divided into four categories:

Many people feel that traditional business bags make their hands tired when carrying heavy items, and many people are concerned about the eyes of their superiors or clients when using business backpacks.

On the other hand, while 2-way and 3-way business bags (which can be used as shoulder bags or backpacks) may seem perfect in terms of functionality, many people actually find them uncool.

In particular, do you think that dangling shoulder straps for shoulder bags or backpacks are unstylish?

Additionally, many of those who choose 2-way or 3-way headsets are over 40 years old, and some people in their 20s and 30s said they dislike them because they give the impression that they are used by people older than them.

In that respect, business tote bags are

- Can be carried on the shoulder when it is heavy or when commuting - Looks like a regular bag so doesn't feel strange

Because of these benefits, it seems to be chosen by people who want to get the best of both worlds.

② Can be used both on and off

Another big advantage is that you can carry it with you on days other than work .

I think everyone has items, such as a wallet or a small case, that they carry with them both for work and for personal use, but if you have a bag that can only be used for work (or conversely, cannot be used for work), it can be a hassle to transfer your belongings to the other bag.

Unless you have particularly heavy work tools, there is no need to transfer them and you can use them for personal use as is.

Also, while genuine leather tote bags have a formal impression and can be used for work, the tote bag itself has a casual design so it will not look out of place when paired with casual clothes in private.

While carrying a business bag in private can often give off a stiff impression, some people said that the appeal of a tote bag is that it can be used in a variety of situations, regardless of outfit, location, or even era.

3. Genuine leather can also be used when meeting with business partners

You may be wondering, is it really okay to bring a tote bag to work?

Unless the rules are extremely strict, such as clearly stating that only handbag-type (briefcase-type) business bags are allowed within the company, you should generally be able to assume that there will be no problem.

Among the customers I speak to at the showroom, there are those who work in sales in finance or real estate, and who want to be careful about their bags because their clients are watching them.

In fact, many of these customers choose tote bags, saying, "My documents are heavy, so I want to carry them on my shoulder. A backpack wouldn't be good, but a genuine leather tote bag would be fine!"

The only downside to choosing a tote bag for work

The only drawback to choosing a tote bag for work is the price .

Compared to business bags, tote bags have many advantages, such as being able to be worn over the shoulder, but the tote bag itself is a somewhat casual item in terms of its shape.

Materials such as nylon tend to look more casual, so your options are inevitably narrowed down to leather.

Furthermore, if you consider using it for daily work, genuine leather is preferable over synthetic leather, which deteriorates easily and tends to fall apart and peel, so the price tends to be higher.

If you consider that a business bag is a formal bag to begin with, and therefore could be made of low-cost nylon, then the price may be a major disadvantage when choosing a tote bag for work.

What is your recommendation for a genuine leather business tote bag that can be used for work?

Actually, I am the manager of a leather brand called HushTug, and their tote bags are becoming quite popular as work tote bags these days.

The brand began selling in 2019, but the online store already has over 2,000 reviews, with an average rating of 4.7/5.0.

One thing that many people highly praise is its "high cost performance."

Normally, products are produced in factories and then shipped through several other companies before reaching customers, but HushTug manages everything from production to sales in-house, allowing us to offer genuine leather at affordable prices.

What's more, it comes with peace of mind support that allows you to return or exchange the product free of charge for any reason within one month of purchase, no matter how much you use it .

HushTug products are not sold in department stores or shops, so they can basically only be purchased through our online store.

・I want to try a work tote bag, but I'm not sure if it will suit me...
・I'm worried about buying online in the first place because the product might be different from what I expected.

For such people, we would like to reiterate that "for any reason, no matter how much you use the product, you can return or exchange it free of charge within 30 days ."

Since returns are free, you can never lose out, so if you're considering replacing your business bag, be sure to give it a try.