The iconic duffel bag

duffel bag

noun
a large, cylindrical bag, especially of 
canvas, for carrying personal
belongings, originally used 
by military personnel.

Origin: 
1915–20,  Americanism

The iconic duffel bag has a unique history which reminds us that fashion has no limits to where it roots from. The duffel bag, however fashionable, has maintained its roots to it's current use as an indispensable utility item. From military beginnings to the modern day traveler, athlete and outdoor camper, the duffel bag has held its own as a must-have.

The word 'duffel' refers to a town in Belgium, Duffel, from where the cloth (known as Duffel Cloth) that the first duffel bags were made came in the mid 17th century. Originally the bag was a simple cylindrical shaped bag made from duffel cloth tied by a string at the neck to hold the contents inside it; often used by common folk. However, in more recent history the duffel made a worldwide impact post World War II after its widespread use in the military during the war. The bag remained cylindrical but appeared more with a zipper that ran its length as opposed to a string at the neck.

Most cultural references of the bag hail from Australia, where it was synonymous with surfing culture, and from California in the US (1940s-1950s) where ex-navy personnel were commonly known to use the bag in their everyday go-abouts, carrying just about anything in the bag from regular clothes to sports gear to equipment.

The modern day luggage duffel bags, like their predecessors, are usually made of material that will
withstand abuse, such as being tossed back and forth between airplane cargo holds and thrown onto baggage carousels. One popular material is a thick ripstop nylon or canvas-like material. This fabric will expand to hold a great deal of clothing, but will also stow easily in a trunk or back seat - often even under the seat in an airplane. Many of these bags also have convenient pockets on the sides, front and back. Unlike the early duffel, they also have diversified from their round beginnings and may be square or rectangular in shape. Leather is another popular material choice for duffel bags. These bags tend to be more expensive, but extremely durable in comparison with the nylon bags.

If a traveler needs one good piece of luggage that is both durable and suitable for a wide variety of uses, a duffel bag may be his ideal choice. Same goes for the athlete, the outdoor camper and the regular gym guy. Think ultimate travel bag. Think can't-do-without gym bag. Think heaven-sent camping utility bag. Think Duffel Bag.

The leather duffel bags in photographs are part of The Corporate Boss Collection and are available from Targaryen Man at $180 each, call 0774 760 865, 0774 999 856. Photography courtesy of GwiEsquire and ZashCraft of Crafted Media.