1940s Vintage Men’s Bags History

1940s Men’s Bags and Briefcases

Did men carry bags in the 1940s? Yes, but that isn’t to say they were man purses. Men who went to work at an office and needed to transport documents used briefcases — flat leather bags with a zip-top or two straps that bucked over to the side. They had small handles on top to carry them. These designs had changed little since the Victorian era.

1946 Briefcase Bags

1948 Men’s Briefcase Bags and Travel Bags

1943 Men’s Utility Bag – For Anything

Men who were traveling for a weekend or carrying items while sporting (hiking, hunting) could use a large soft leather duffel bag. These bags had one long strap to sling over a shoulder or across the body. They had two buckle straps to keep the bag closed, and were small enough to be out of the way yet big enough to carry extra clothes and toiletries.

1943 Duffel Bags

1944 Men’s Travel or Sport Bag

There were also specialty bags such as binocular cases, which had a long shoulder strap that made carrying certain items easier.

1942 Binocular Bag

For such things as keys, a wallet, cigarettes, handkerchief, and other essentials that women used handbags for, men simply carried them in their suit and trouser pockets.

School children, teens, and some collage students used bookbags or briefcases for their needs.

1946 School Bags

1944 Briefcase School Bags