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What’s in Your Bag? – Memorial Day Weekend


After this long winter we’ve all endured, the unofficial kick-off to summer starts this weekend! Finally, right? The Manual has pulled together a few items to rock your grilin’ or chillin’ style, whether you’re headed to the beach, countryside or having a stay-cation.

Our favorite bags:

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Graf & Lantz – Handmade in Los Angeles, this expandable cotton canvas and leather duffle grows into the ultimate weekend bag. It’s shoulder strap and zippered exterior pocket are just the right details to make this a great addition to any weekend.

L.L. Bean – Called the Nor’easter Tote for a reason. Spill your micro pub brew, no worry ! This combo of sturdy canvas has water-repellent coating on the bottom. It’s 100% sealed-and-taped seams and waterproof treatment on the inside. With the interior zippered pocket and pouches at the top, it’s a great place for your phone, bottle opener and/or sunglasses.

Ernest Alexander – The Banker’s Weekender bag gets its inspiration from another era, when men traveled in superior style. With a bespoke combination of leather and canvas, this bag has an adjustable shoulder strap, is lined in navy cotton twill, and has one interior zippered pocket.

And now what to put in your bag:

Howe – Nothing better than a button-up fleece hoodie to bring comfort to your weekend. With two slash side pockets and two military gusseted chest pockets, this cardigan/hoodie is great to take to a cookout.

Gitman Vintage – It’s not a holiday party ‘til someone busts out a Gitman Vintage print shirt. This geometric seersucker short sleeve button down can be paired with denim or shorts to make your weekend #wickedgood

Cockpit USA – This 100% cotton graphic tee might just be the best tribute on Memorial Day weekend.

Burkman Bros. – Perfect for the weekend, these shorts are reversible ! Blue one day and white the next. This 100% cotton chambray short makes packing even easier…and less laundry too.

Coach – The Parker striped flip flop combines a leather ‘foot-floss’ with a rubber sole. Paired with shorts, chinos or denim, this is packing light perfection.

Rodd & Gunn – The Kennedy’s Sweat is a turned-up authentic rugby jersey. It’s pairing the New Zealand passion for rugby, with the love of true sportswear. Great for a cool night around the campfire.

Jack Spade – Inspired by the brand’s well known Cole Bag. This short, with it’s printed contrast hem, in all-cotton, can be worn with tees, oxfords or a lightweight cardigan.

34 Heritage – Headed to a casual dinner? Throw in this pair of dark washed denim, dark wash, and a crisp white oxford, and you’re always on-point. Pack the jeans at the bottom of your bag, and they won’t take up too much room, and you’re ready to go !

Tretorn – No Laces Req’d ! This is the perfect update to an iconic shoe. The Skymra Canvas shoe features cross-over elastic straps to ensure a secure fit, and features Swedish Massage Teknology™ – a removable molded insole.

Lot Stock and Barrel – Yes, this is actual vintage. Told through great narratives, this tee is so spot-on for Memorial Day weekend. #cadets

Superdry – The Commodity Short features a button fly and soft all-cotton chino. Color and more color seems to be getting us ready for summer.

United Nude – A subtle paring of stripes and a classic slip-on sneaker, makes this one of the go-to shoes for summer.

Tom Handley
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Tom Handley is a contributor for TheManual. As a professor of public relations and social media strategy at Parsons The New…
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