Men's bags have been through a lot since the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein famously hauled the notes for his masterpiece Tractatus around Europe in a battered leather rucksack after the First World War. They've been shrunk to clutch-size ineffectualness, festooned with logos, bedecked with finicky details and press-ganged into the off-putting term "manbags". In spite, or perhaps because, of these myriad mutations, it remains common around the world to see men with bags, ranging from stylish to silly, slung casually over their shoulders. Yet finding a good satchel can be tricky.
Ludwig got it right in many ways. Leather is a good choice of material: soft and supple, it will look battered and better with age. Canvas is another possibility, but steer clear of hi-tech fabrics or things that glow in the dark. Size is also important. It needs to be large enough to fit a laptop if necessary, but not so big as to be cumbersome. A strap that crosses the body, messenger-style, is best: short carry handles, such as Gucci's black canvas number, Dh1,750, just won't cut it as you dash to catch a bus. Reiss has created a fine example in its Marcus bag, Dh850: it's functional and sleek with classic lines. The leather feels lovely and the canvas strap is comfortable and practical. As well as clean lines, the Reiss bag has some good practical touches. Sturdy magnetic buttons keep the flap firmly shut and an inner zip pocket holds small items. Branding is restricted to subtle logos embossed on the strap clips. All in all, it is a suitable heir to Wittgenstein's rucksack.
* Robert Carroll
Hats? It all boils down to how you want to live in your imagination. A blue-striped Gucci cap, Dh775, would look jolly on a yacht… worn by Audrey Hepburn, perhaps (or Jude Law in one of his more elegant roles). Reiss, meanwhile, sells a light canvas "Hartnett" cap, Dh150, strangely reminiscent of those worn by the Germans in Raiders of the Lost Ark, particularly the one who crawls along the top of the lorry and makes Indy earn his money before meeting the unkindest end of all: a worthy opponent. Then there are the proper hats. Panamas have always conjured for me a romantic image of the jaded Englishman out in the midday sun, diminished yet still dignified. The Montecristi from Hamac in Dubai is a beautiful example, shapely but soft, elegant, desirable. And expensive at Dh1,400 - something for special occasions. Also, it might encourage strangers to strike up conversations about cricket. Zara, though, has a fine trilby for a mere Dh65 that is a jumble of associations, rather like the Carry On comic Sid James's face. There's a bit of the shore-going tripper, something of the English spiv and even a hint of the Latino gangster. But for all that, it is not unattractive, with an appealing touch of bravado in the curl of the brim. Plus, I fancy it is robust enough to withstand regular summer outings without having a nervous breakdown. So, Sid it is.
* Simon Reynolds
As the gruelling rays of the summer sun drill maniacally into our spirits, when better to turn our attentions to an indispensable accessory that improves, if ever so slightly, our collective slow roast? We've gone straight to the behemoths of face-glass, Ray-Ban, the original and best (and frankly the inspiration for almost every other sunglasses marque of the season). First off, the Clubmaster, at Dh710. Although seemingly named after an unsightly caravanette from 1976, it is indeed a "browline" classic, with simple elegant lines and a thoughtful, if slightly horn-rimmed demeanour - all Malcolm X intensity and studied poise. Heavier than some, the bridge rides high on the nose leaving light flooding in from the periphery, with enigmatic style triumphing over purpose - but hey, by any means necessary, right?
The Wayfarer, Dh710, meanwhile, is as rock 'n' roll as a Stratocaster, searing its iconic design into the skin of modern pop culture and gracing the visages of everyone from James Dean and Audrey Hepburn to Andy Warhol and, perhaps most memorably, Belushi and Ackroyd's Blues Brothers. Light and sturdy, with greater light reduction than Clubmasters, they are blessed with ineffable cool and cheeky joie de vivre.
But to truly be top gun, it's Aviators that you need (Dh710). Before Tom Cruise had ever flipped his first barrel-roll, these iconic shades were winging their way around the stratosphere, having been developed for US pilots in the late 1930s. A giant of functional brilliance, their lightweight frames and excellent shading marry to create an ageless style that underscores their success as the most popular sunglasses on earth.
* Rob Evans
