![Work and Tote Bags : A Style for Everyone [Part2]](http://ren-tokyo.com/cdn/shop/articles/ban-241125-tote2_1100x.webp?v=1761272686)
Work and Tote Bags : A Style for Everyone
- Part2 -
In today’s world, the way we work and live is no longer bound by fixed rules or limitations. Perhaps it’s time to redefine what a “work bag” really means. We spoke with ten people — each different in age, gender, and profession — about how they choose the bags that accompany them in their work. Together with REN’s leather totes, which embody what we call the “next generation of work bags.”
06 Maria Petrova / Freelance PR
いShe’s never been fond of bags that are labeled as “for work.”
I love soft, gentle colors that go well with any outfit.
Maria says she’s never been a fan of those typical “work bag” designs — especially when they’re heavy. “If it feels too heavy, I just want to toss it aside,” she laughs. She often carries two bags: a small crossbody and a lightweight fabric tote for her laptop, which she brings almost every day. “I like fabric totes because they give a softer impression and fit my style,” she explains. “I often wear clothes with catchy details, colors, or layered looks, so I prefer to keep my bag as minimal as possible.”
▲She usually carries her laptop, makeup pouch, water bottle, wallet, and phone. “Large bags are convenient,” she says, “but I often choose smaller ones on purpose — to keep myself from carrying more than I really need.”
07 Nobuyuki Shigenari / Office Worker
I don’t want to be swept up by the mainstream or rely solely on high-end brands.
After changing jobs to work for an importer that handles Danish interior brands such as HAY, Nobuyuki Shigenari has reached a stage in life where both his age and income have grown. “I want to wear things that make me shine the most,” he says, “but I don’t want to rely solely on luxury brands. I also want to incorporate lighter colors, like beige, instead of sticking only to dark or chic tones.” “As for leather, it instantly sharpens up my look and enhances my style. This camel tote, in particular, feels like it would perfectly match the kind of work bag that suits me.”
▲“On my days off, I like to keep things as minimal as possible,” says Shigenari. He often heads out to places like museums with just a small shoulder pouch. “All I carry inside are my wallet, phone, cigarettes, and lip balm,” he says with a smile.
08 Akiko Wada / Owner of “Utsuwa no Wada”
09 Naoki Wada / Staff at “Utsuwa no Wada”
When something ages beautifully, it feels easier for us to grow alongside it.
“Health of both mind and body is what matters most,” says Akiko Wada. Her perspective began to shift toward a more lifestyle-centered mindset in her mid-forties, when she started her ceramics shop. “Since then, I’ve tried to choose things I can live alongside — like bamboo crafts that slowly take on a deeper, more beautiful hue over time. I want objects that age together with us.” As for bags, the couple takes a lighthearted, fashion-minded approach. “I sometimes buy them just because they’re cute,” Akiko laughs, “without worrying too much about convenience or durability.” “I’m not particularly picky either,” adds Naoki. “If anything, I prefer something lightweight and not too stiff.”
▲He usually commutes by bicycle, so he often uses bags that are lightweight and can handle a bit of rough use. When visiting production sites, he finds it convenient to carry canvas totes that he doesn’t mind getting dirty, or larger bags that can hold fragile sample pieces.
10 Hiroyuki Amano / Freelance Sales
Men have a soft spot for things that age beautifully — especially the timeless, versatile ones.
That’s probably why men are so fond of leather.
“Men tend to have a weakness for versatile accessories,” says Hiroyuki Amano, who has years of experience in selling clothing and shoes. “Women, on the other hand, have more variation in their style — they might pair sneakers with a tote one day, and carry a leather handbag with a more elegant outfit the next. But men often lean toward things that ‘go with anything.’ And since we’re also drawn to materials that age beautifully, I guess that’s why we like leather so much. If we could take the best of both worlds — practicality and personality — I think fashion would be even more fun.”
▲Since he often rides his bicycle, Amano tends to choose shoulder bags that can be worn crossbody. “Compared to bags with short handles, shoulder bags are less stressful — they keep my hands free and move naturally with what I’m wearing,” he says.
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