There’s always been something rather bittersweet about the back-to-school season. On the one hand, it marks those final days of warm weather, the return to the grind after that languorous long weekend. On the other, there’s a sense of hopeful optimism – a chance for new beginnings and a much-needed excuse to update our wardrobes.

That notion rings particularly true this year, as many of us make the long-awaited journey back into the office and, accordingly, back into workwear mode. But just because we’re now returning to our old desks doesn’t mean we should automatically fall back into old ways. If anything, in this new age of semi-remote hybrid working, it feels fitting to take stock of the tools we once relied upon and ensure they’re still fit for the job. In other words, it’s time for a new bag.

The joys of offline interaction aside, the prospect of trekking into the office once again is pretty unexciting, and that likely won’t be improved by a workbag that’s tired, dreary and impractical. Instead, to make the journey altogether more bearable, we suggest you enlist a stylish companion who’s attuned to your needs and tailored to your tastes.

In need of a little guidance? See below for seven examples to inspire your IRL office return.

There are a handful of occasions for which we don’t mind sacrificing function for the sake of a killer outfit, but the commute demands that certain rules are followed. In the case of our workbag, the general expectation is that it be sufficiently roomy, reassuringly sturdy and comfortable enough to wear on the journey (unless you’re important enough to be chauffeured in, that is). Which is not to say it can’t be handsome, too – we’re drawn to this piece for its unconventional yet subtle details: the diagonal rotation, the converging straps, the outer mesh pocket. What’s more, the neutral tones and canvas fabric give it crossover appeal for casual, off-duty days.

With many of us hoping to return to the office as a more optimised version of our pre-pandemic selves, we believe our new nine-to-five wardrobes should reflect that inner growth. For example, if you were the co-worker whose paraphernalia spilled beyond the boundaries of his own desk, then now’s the chance to debut the tidy, minimalist man you’ve become. Striding back into the office with an elegant leather pouch tucked under your arm will tell the world you’re a changed person – one who’s capable of whittling his possessions down to the essentials and his inbox down to zero. Better yet, if you’re lucky enough to be in the business of wining and dining clients at your employer’s expense, it’ll look especially smart after hours.

Creative professionals may not command the outsized salaries of their finance friends, but deep down they know the true reward lies in a career they genuinely enjoy, bragging rights at parties and the privilege of wearing whatever they want to work. In design-driven offices, how you dress may not be policed, but an on-point outfit certainly won’t go unnoticed. If you’re keen to impress, we suggest levelling up your accessories game with an unexpected silhouette – a sleek, sack-like bag like this will undoubtedly earn top marks from your colleagues, too.

In such unpredictable and uncertain times, it can feel reassuring to find order in the small things. And if you’re the type who spent the earlier months of the pandemic in full doomsday-prep mode, then we’d suggest picking a workbag with its own in-built filing system to satisfy those tendencies. It never hurts to have a generous central compartment for those big-ticket items – namely the laptop and chargers you’ll be transporting to and fro. But what’s most pleasing to the neat freak (and necessary for the scatterbrained) is a tote with healthy smattering of pockets, which will allow each of your items to live in its own designated home and save you the stress of rummaging.

For the more sedentary souls among us – the ones who’ve relished setting their alarms for 8.57am – the idea of cycling into the office will probably remain a pipe dream. However, if you do one day decide to join those ranks and tap into all the calorie-burning, money-saving benefits, it’s worth investing in the right gear. Practicality is the primary concern here and, when it comes to picking a bag for your ride, there are plenty of smaller details to consider. This outdoorsy backpack ticks a lot of boxes: it’s lightweight, durable and waterproof, plus the mood-boosting bright colour will stand out as you navigate (and overtake) traffic.

Those who have the distinct pleasure of venturing back into work via the Tube, Subway or any other such metro are no doubt bracing themselves for an assault course. But what if we told you that the key to a stress-free commute could lie in your accessories? A crossbody belt bag is an unorthodox choice for the office, sure, but it’s also a boon for jogging down escalators, weaving in and out of crowds and gliding through barriers with ease. While others find their suitcase-sized backpacks stuck in the carriage doors, you’ll be left feeling untethered, aerodynamic and perhaps a little smug. The best part? Your hands are free for scrolling through the headlines and sanitising at regular intervals, while cards remain within easy reach (and away from light fingers).

No one has felt the shift in pace these past couple years more than the “man on the move” – whether that’s the management consultant who once polished off PowerPoints in business class, or the ultra-productive guy who squeezed a spin session and a run to the post office into his lunch hour. Previously packed schedules may not have returned to full speed, but as things start to pick up, make life a little easier with a single hardworking holdall to take you from the gym to the office to the airport. Besides the fact it comes in a versatile black leather, a bag such as this is a winner for its dimensions: it’s compact enough to slot under your desk and look polished at client dinners, but it should fit all your other out-of-office essentials, too – granted you’re a packing pro.

The people featured in this story are not associated with and do not endorse MR PORTER or the products shown