Our call-out for style questions this week yielded quite a number of queries, and it was a task whittling them down to just one. Your inquiries were also impressively varied, ranging from whether you should wear white socks with loafers (answer: sometimes), to whether there are any current internship opportunities at MR PORTER (please direct all future correspondence to HR). We eventually settled on this chap, who’s having some style-related daddy issues, which we think will resonate with anyone who’s ever had to get from A to B with a screaming infant in tow. Read on for some fatherly advice.

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I need a dad bag that doesn’t make me look like a dad. Thoughts?

@alexlefley, via Instagram

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We’re going to go ahead and presume your reticence to dress like a father has nothing to do with your paternal status, @alexlefley. Instead, we reckon you’re labouring under the assumption that so-called “dad style” – a uniform of short-sleeved shirts, bootleg jeans, bum bag and all – carries negative connotations. The mere existence, let alone the enduring popularity, of ugly (aka “dad”) sneakers is evidence enough that looking like a sartorially challenged pater has been the goal the last few seasons or so. However, we are sympathetic to the fact that that what goes on down a Vetements or Balenciaga runway doesn’t always translate IRL. Besides, Mr Demna Gvasalia isn’t famed for being mindful of practicality. And the careful balancing of practicality with style is at the heart of this matter.

Any aspirations you had of trying out this season’s trend for tiny bags should be quietly abandoned; nappies, bottles and a spare shirt in case you’re on the receiving end of any “accidents” are bulky items. To carry out all of your fatherly duties, then, you’ll be in the market for something on the large side. To ensure it’s sizeable enough, you’re best off reappropriating a backpack (because, from what we’ve heard, you need both hands for child rearing) or weekend bag (with a shoulder or cross-body strap) for your purposes. But, of course, not just any old backpack or weekend bag will do…

Your next consideration should be the material. Here, you might have to make a few compromises at the expense of style. Leather is incredibly durable, but unless you’re precious about it, it’s liable to scratch and scuff – the exception to this rule is something cross-grained or textured, such as Montblanc’s aptly named expandable Extreme backpack. Keep in mind, though, that leather offers little in the way of waterproofing or, as is perhaps more likely, protection from those aforementioned accidents. Ideally, you want something wipeable or easy to clean. Look out for coated fabrics, ripstop, nylon or, better still, cordura, a military-grade type of canvas. Hey, if it’s good enough for the battlefield it’ll cope with a screaming baby. We hope…