A bag decides whether the rest of an outfit looks intentional. The LitBuy Spreadsheet Accessories column is mostly bags for that reason, and most LitBuy Accessories orders start there: get capacity and strap right and everything else, belts, sunglasses, the small stuff, has somewhere to live. Here is how to choose one.
Day bag by capacity and strap
Capacity is the first filter, but strap type decides whether you actually carry the thing after week one.
| Capacity | Carries | Strap |
|---|---|---|
| 2 to 4 L | Phone, wallet, keys, sunglass case | Crossbody, 2.5 cm webbing |
| 6 to 9 L | Above plus a 500 ml bottle and a light layer | Shoulder or short crossbody |
| 12 to 18 L | Laptop, umbrella, gym kit | Padded shoulder strap |
| 20 L and up | Overnight or a full haul | Backpack harness |
Strap width matters as much as volume. Webbing under 3 cm cuts into the shoulder above 5 kg. A 4 cm padded strap is worth the bulk if a laptop is in the bag daily.
Packing a bag for a haul
Hauls arrive in compression bags, and compression bags do not go back into a shoulder bag. Pack flat instead, and keep the starter guide open for the shipping steps: shoes at the bottom in a dust bag, knitwear rolled, jackets folded along the zip. A 12 L tote holds roughly four tees, two hoodies and one pair of sneakers before it starts to strain. Leave 20 percent of the volume empty so the bag keeps its shape when you set it down.
Belt sizing without a tape measure
Belts are sized by the distance from the buckle to the middle hole. Take your trouser waist and add 5 cm: a 32 inch waist wants a 37 inch belt, sold as a 95 or a 100 depending on the brand. Or measure an existing belt from the buckle to the hole you actually use, and order that number. For webbing belts, size up one notch, because the strap loses length where it doubles back through the buckle.
Width is the second decision. A 3 cm strap sits under a blazer. A 4 cm strap is casual and works with denim and chinos. Anything at 5 cm is a statement piece and will not pass through standard loops.
Sunglasses fit by face shape
- Round: angular frames, rectangular or square, at least as wide as the cheekbones.
- Square: round or aviator shapes soften a strong jaw.
- Oval: almost anything; keep frame width within 2 mm of face width.
- Heart: bottom-heavy frames or a browline that balances a wide forehead.
Check temple-to-temple width, not lens width. Under 135 mm will pinch after an hour. Over 145 mm slides down in heat.
Small-item organisation
Three pouches, three jobs: a 12 cm zip pouch for cables, a card holder for the two cards you use daily, and a key clip on the strap so it never reaches the bottom. Weigh the bag empty before committing, because anything above 900 g is a bag you will quietly stop carrying. Caps and beanies belong in the same rotation and are covered in the finds round-up.
FAQ
Is a crossbody bag comfortable all day?
Under 4 kg, yes. Above that, switch to a backpack, since one strap concentrates the load on a single shoulder.
How do I know a belt will fit if I order online?
Match buckle-to-hole length, not the waist size printed on the label.
Which sunglasses shape is the safest choice?
Rectangular frames around 140 to 145 mm wide suit most faces and photograph well.
Sort the accessories first and the rest of a haul gets easier to plan. The accessories category holds the current bag and belt picks, headwear covers caps and beanies, and the other stuff tab catches everything that does not fit elsewhere. The link troubleshooting page handles dead product links, and the LitBuy Spreadsheet home page is where the full list starts. Check the main sheet for live stock, then come back to the index to plan what goes in the bag.