If there’s one thing I believe in, it’s style. A travel bag should be useful, easy to carry and stow, and able to fit as much as possible into as compact an amount of space as possible. But you know what else? It should also look amazing. It should never make you feel like a guy lugging his stuff around, but instead a refined, elegant globetrotter, able to appear (at least mostly) cool in any situation, whether it’s a crowded train, a run through the airport, or a narrow hotel staircase.

That’s what the Meqnes weekender bag is all about.

We’ve designed it to be sturdy, roomy, and stylish, and found the perfect way to bring it to life: fine, world-renowned Moroccan leather personally sourced from Moroccan tanneries by our team. Moroccan leather has been used for centuries, and the tanning process is still the same today. Meeting local artisans was a real treat for us, as we watched them do the same processes we could have seen centuries ago. It was time travel, all in the name of style.

And our weekender bag is timeless. Inspired by men’s travel bags of bygone days, and the sleekness of men’s fashion today, it brings together the best of the past and the present, into something you can carry proudly beside you wherever you go.

Leather itself is timeless, too. It’s a material that can hold up for decades, even centuries…but there’s one thing you have to do. It’s a small price to pay for a bag that makes travel easy and elegant: You have to take care of the leather.

When you think about it, it makes sense. Leather is made from animal hides, and skin needs to be moisturized and cared for. As you use your weekender, the bag will develop what’s called a patina – areas where the color changes from wear. This gives your bag an old-school vibe, not to mention even more character.   But leather will only age well if you keep up your side of the bargain. There are two major things you should do:

Keep leather moisturized.

After a while, leather can get dry and cracked. This isn’t a good look, and it’s really not good for the bag’s condition. Luckily, moisturizing leather is ultra-easy. There are a ton of different products on the market for doing this. Or you may want to go natural and use mink or neatsfoot oil, which are known leather remedies.   Whatever option you choose, it’s always a good idea to test it on a tiny, hard-to-notice spot, first, and let it sit for about a day to make sure it doesn’t change the color of the leather or have any other unexpected effects.

But what if you don’t have the time or energy to go out looking for products like these? Or what if you’re fresh out and your leather bag’s not looking so fresh? There’s a very simple hack that can keep your leather bag looking great: Just use petroleum jelly! That’s right, that stuff you find in most people’s houses. Just apply a small dab and gently rub it into the leather using a soft, clean cloth.

Weatherproof it.

Skin is waterproof, but in the tanning process, that quality is lost. So it’s crucial to remember that leather is not waterproof and shouldn’t be left to sit out in the rain, or cleaned with or in water (more on that a little later). But there are ways to protect it from things like small spills and raindrops. And guess what? We’ve taken care of that for you! Our bags’ leather has already been weatherproofed, so you don’t have to fear fog or drizzle.

Of course, the point of a travel bag is that you travel with it. And travelling often means facing the unexpected. This can lead to awesome outcomes, but it can also mean mishaps. Here’s some advice about cleaning your bag if you run into anything from crumbs, to stains:

– Dry dirt: If you end up seeing that your bag is dusty or has crumbs or other surface dirt on it, cleaning it is simple. Gently dust it off with a soft, clean cloth.

NEVER USE WATER.

This is true no matter what stain, what circumstance. Remember: Thanks to weatherproofing, our leather may be water resistant, but no leather is waterproof.

– Greasy, oily stains: If your bag has one of these, the best thing to do is head to a leather expert for professional cleaning. If you can’t do that, there are products you can buy, called leather degreasers. But what if you can’t get one of those and you’re really in a bind? One trick I’ve learned with new stains is to pat at the mark as quickly as possible and as much as possible with a clean, absorbent cloth. This will hopefully get at least some of the grease away. Then cover it with an absorbent powder, like corn starch or talcum powder, and let it sit overnight. Ideally, if you did this before the stain could set, the powder will absorb the rest of the grease and you’ll be all right.

– Wet stains: You’ve arrived at your destination and you’re celebrating with a glass of wine or a cup of coffee in a charming local café. Suddenly – disaster. It spills on your bag. First, get rid of any excess liquid. Then, if you can, mix some dish soap in a small amount of warm water. Use a cloth or ideally a sponge that’s slightly damp with just a little of the mixture, and gently try to clean it off. If this doesn’t work, see a leather expert as soon as you can.

– Other stains: If you think you’re the only person who’s ever spilled something on a leather bag, you’d be wrong, and the internet can prove it. Do a simple search to see how to get out whatever you’ve got on your bag. Double- and triple-check advice on different sites, and remember to always spot check if you can.

You can also avoid permanent damage by being prepared. If you know you’ll often have your Meqnes weekender around certain things (makeup, cologne, etc.) that could stain it, let us know and we’ll give you some advice.

Store it properly.

Another important way to take care of your leather bag is knowing how to store it. We know you’ll love your Meqnes weekender. But there may be times when you’re not using it. The best way to keep it clean and moist is to keep it in the sack it comes in. Make sure you store it at a moderate temperature — not too cold or hot — and your bag will be waiting for you, still looking great, when you’re ready for your next adventure.

From nomadic prehistoric tribes, to pharaohs sailing down the Nile, to jetsetters taking a flight to the latest hot destination, people have been traveling for millennia, and often doing it in style. Our Meqnes weekender isn’t just a sturdy, practical, beautiful bag – it’s also proudly a part of that tradition.

Wherever you’re headed on your next trip, turn heads and inspire fellow travelers. With our bag, the simplest trip becomes a glamorous journey – maybe the journey of a lifetime.

SOURCE : How To Care For Your Leather Weekender Bag

One of the toughest things about travel is that there are so many variables involved. Did you get the best deal on airfare? Will you even get to the airport on time? Is your hotel or rental going to look the way it did online?

Luckily, there is one thing I can help you with: What bag to bring.

If you’re headed away for a few days, a weekender is probably going to be the perfect fit.   It’s large enough to carry all of your essentials, plus a few extras, but small enough to fit into an overhead compartment.

But just as there are lots of travel options out there, you’ll also find a lot of weekender bags, too. So which one is right for you? Before you buy (or fly), here are some things to consider:

– What kind of trip are you going on? If you’re looking to make a good impression professionally, romantically, or just in general, a quality leather weekender will do the trick. The best part is, no matter how much you use a bag like this, it only gets better with time. The way you hold it and use it will ultimately create areas of discoloration called a “patina” that will be unique to you and your experiences, yet universally appealing.

– Can it fit your stuff? The right bag should be sort of magical: You should be able to fit a lot into it, but it should still be small enough to easily carry and stow. Unless you have specific paraphernalia, like skis or a guitar, a weekender once again fits the bill.

– Can it survive rough handling? Travel’s about movement – of your bags as well as you. Your suitcase is going to be jostled, bumped, banged, and squeezed, so you’ve got to make sure it won’t tear, rip, or simply fall apart. Leather is the way to go. It’s strong, sturdy, and can basically last forever if you make sure to moisturize it now and then.

– Is it water resistant? Much as I love leather bags, I have to admit, they do have a downside: They’re not waterproof. So if you’re planning on taking your bag white water rafting, opt for one adapted to outdoor activities, which would usually be waterproof. On the other hand, if the worst water exposure you’re going to get is a little bit of rain, a sturdy, nice-looking leather bag is still a good choice. Leather can be weatherproofed, which makes it water resistant.

– Is it comfortable? A bag seems like a pretty simple thing – you put your stuff in it, grab the handles, and go. But anyone who’s traveled knows that not all handles are created equal. Some are going to dig into your palms and fingers, while others are going to be soft and supple, letting you get to where you’re going without wondering if you’ll have a blister somewhere. So all that to say, before you buy a bag, have a very good look at the handles. Find out what they’re made of and see if the company is touting them as being comfortable. Check out online reviews if you can, too. You’ll save yourself a lot of aches and pains in the long run. It’s also good to make sure your bag has a detachable shoulder strap, which will give you more options and also keep your hands be free when you need them for other things.

– How does it look? You might find a bag that ticks all the boxes. It’s great for everything I’ve mentioned, and more. But does it look good? This may seem like a ridiculous and unnecessary question, but let me tell you from experience, if you’re carrying luggage that looks great and maybe even turns heads, it makes you feel like a million bucks. You walk straighter and faster down those airport or train station hallways. You get appreciative glances from fellow travelers. It’s the perfect way to make travel jitters melt away. Not to mention set off on unexpected adventures…. I’ve had some great conversations over the years that started up because of something I was wearing or a bag I was carrying. It’s amazing how looking sleek and stylish can open people up to you. Maybe it’s because when you look good, you feel it and you’re a bit more confident and open to the world. This is why, once again, I’d say a well-made leather weekender is the best choice. Extra points if the color matches your shoes, or sets off your clothes well.

When you run a men’s fashion company, it can be hard to seem sincere.

When I recommend my products to people, they may think it’s all about money for me. But it’s really about something else: I love the feeling I get when I look good, and I want to pass that on to others. Maybe you could say it’s even a bit of a selfish thing. I want to live in a world where everyone looks glamorous all the time. So when I tell you that my Meqnes bag is the perfect weekender, I hope you’ll believe me. If not, here are the facts:

Made of Moroccan leather, famous for its long tradition of quality, the Meqnes weekender is roomy on the inside, yet compact.

From its strong zipper, to the suppleness of its leather, it’ll hold everything you reasonably need without making you worried it’s going to burst open.

That same suppleness easily helps it get through all the bumps, drops, and squeezes of travel, without a dent, rip, or tear.

But what about water? Most leather bags require you to do the weatherproofing yourself. But we’ve done it for you. The Meqnes weekender comes ready to travel, so you don’t have to waste time before heading out on your next adventure.

And even though you’ll be carrying your important things in a very important bag, you won’t feel it much. The Meqnes weekender’s soft leather handles are padded, so that they’re easy to grip and won’t dig into your hands. And the detachable leather shoulder strap will go easy on you, too.

As for style, well, I think the Meqnes weekender speaks for itself.

Available in two colors (bullet black and Sahara brown), it’s inspired by travel bags of bygone eras, as well as the sleekness of current men’s fashion. Whether you’re off to a rustic country bed and breakfast, or the hottest address in the city, your Meqnes weekender will fit in, yet admirably single you out as the discerning gentleman you are.

So plan your next trip and grab a Meqnes weekender to take along with you. You can thank me later.

SOURCE : How to choose the perfect weekender bag