Men's Purses
From LoveToKnow Handbags
For many, the term men’s purse is an oxymoron, but they will soon need to update their vocabulary. The word on the street is more men are carrying purse-like bags. An unrecognized trend that most men do not actually want to draw attention to, men’s purses are coming out of the woodwork.
About Men's Purses
Purse carrying men tend to be a cultural icon. In most of Europe, men clutch purses regularly. It is no surprise that men would like to have a place to carry their necessities and avoid the ugly, full, back pocket or clanking change phenomenon. In the world of American masculinity, while a men’s purse seems practical, most wouldn’t be caught dead wearing one.
Finding a Man-Bag
So how can men appropriately stash their stuff and still look like a man? It is all in the design. The man-bag, as many refer to it, should not look like a women’s purse, but should serve a similar purpose. In order to accomplish this, men need to be on the lookout for bags with the following characteristics:
- Nylon is better than leather.
- Large roomy bags, but not as big as a briefcase or full sized backpack.
- Waist bands or long across the chest straps.
- Avoid bags labeled with women’s designer names.
Sneak Peek
Are you curious to know what men just might keep in their purses? Here are a few options:
- Wallet
- Keys
- Cell Phone
- Letters or Papers
- Cigarettes and Lighters
- I Pods
- Paperback Books or Magazines
- Business Cards
- Tissue or Handkerchief
- Pens
- Medicine
Hey… men really do need a good sized purse!
Where to Buy
Men’s purses are not easy to come by. Basically you have to scrutinize the aisles of women’s handbags searching for the ones most masculine or set your sights on a travel or outdoor store. Masculine purse choices are few, but they are there if you know where to look.
Baggallini
An international bag company growing in popularity since its creation in 1995, they offer a nice assortment of classic looking bags which are mostly unisex.
Check out their Commuter Bag, available in a variety of colors and fabrics, there is sure to be one that fits your level of masculinity. A lightweight, but very roomy bag, it has room for a small laptop, and lots of pockets for other small essentials.
Eagle Creek
An outdoor brand with a decent selection of rustic looking gear, their bags are naturally manly.
A great men’s purse option is their Piccadilly bag. Although you find it in the women’s bag section, there is nothing feminine about this bag. A smaller shoulder style bag, it is available in blue, black or brown. A basic bag with a few organizer pockets, it has a unique design providing a non-purse like appearance.
Lewis N Clark
A travel product company, Lewis N Clark provides smaller travel bags that function as ideal men’s purses.
There is nothing better for a man with multiple accessories than Lewis N Clark's Shoulder Bag. Designed from a lightweight, high-density nylon, it has a pocket or clip for every imaginable necessity. Although marketed as a shoulder bag, the strap also converts to a waist band.
RoadWired
Just for those techies who want a carrying case for their stuff, RoadWired has found their niche.
A great bag from RoadWired is known as The Pod. It comes in a variety of sizes and holds equipment like cameras, or just your wallet, keys and cell phone. No doubt when styling this bag, you won’t look like a woman.
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