Would You Wear a Purse? (If You're a Man?)

May 29, 2008 @ 12:00pm

As I was packing my bag to come to the office today, my roommate stopped me on my way out the door and asked an all too familiar question: "Is that a woman's bag?"

Sure. It's a black leather Marc by Marc tote with a little bit of shine to it. I got it on Bleecker and I've seen it carried everywhere around the city - mostly by women. But is that a bad thing?

I see fashionable men carry totes of all sizes all the time, but at what point along the bag spectrum (think of say, a briefcase on one end and a pink Juicy pouchette on the other, with a carryall from American Apparel in the middle) are men supposed to stop?

It's funny how I'd carry a Muse, the rigid structure has a masculine appeal to it, though I'd never carry a Stam - even I'd make fun of the kiss lock closure.

So I'm wondering, where do all of you stand on this? Can a man embrace the functionality and cuteness of a woman's bag without coming off as totally silly?

Better yet: Do bags really have a gender?

--KYLE HAYES

(almost forgot - image from the Sartorialist!)

posted by poseur

May 29, 2008 12:14PM

some people call it murse, right? i don't know. strapped bags are ok for me but not the tote bags. or anything shiny. maybe it is because i can't differentiate the hot gay guys from the hot straight guys if they all carry purses. oh and hipsters with tote bags are not ok!

posted by guest

May 29, 2008 12:16PM

I think its perfectly okay for men to carry a bag, these days men have just as much to carry as women do, as far as a blackberry, keys, a wallet, a pack of gum, cigarettes for those who smoke etc. And living in New York City most people go straight from work to dinner and then out so they pack an extra change of clothes. So I see why not its daring, and why fit in when you can stand out.

-The Boy About Town

posted by guest

May 29, 2008 12:23PM

I absolutely despise when guys carry purses. You are not a woman. You are a man. I know it must so like so0o0o cool to carry a MarC JaCoBZzz (no offense to the author of the post, I'm just using the most popular designer), but you look ridiculous! I have a million gay friends and none of them would be caught dead with a manpurse. Gross.

posted by guest

May 29, 2008 12:25PM

I agree with Boy About Town- if you are using it, why not?

posted by andremichael

May 29, 2008 12:32PM

i think functionality is key. i'm a guy. working in fashion. in NYC. and i definitely have a lil "jacobs by marc jacobs for marc by marc.." [you know, those.] tote. cuz like previously stated by other commenters, people do things after 5. but random middle America man going 2 KMart carrying a LV speedy -- hmmm. i'm not too sure about.

my concept was: okay, i can't fit all of these things in pockets, so let's find something 2 carry all of this in - that doesn't look TOO feminine. i think that's okay.

posted by styleexchange

May 29, 2008 12:34PM

I think it depends on the guy. I saw some photos of Devendra Banhart with a satchel-type bag and I didn't think anything of it. When I see manpri-wearing/metrosexual types with purses, though, the look just does not appeal to me.

posted by guest

May 29, 2008 12:56PM

Its all about style. It either works with your outfit or it doesnt. If it doenst work with you, people will hound. If it goes ok, people call it an exception. Itll take a while before its away with exception and guys can just go around carrying a bag.

Im a male and i carry a bag sometimes. I always wanted to and was inspired by Trainspotting!

Now, females get excited about the looks and styles of bags. Whats the new cool color way? is it in snake skin? does Size matters? Depends. I see no different with a male appreciating another product.

Now, people generally carry everything. ipods, wallets, cigarettes, keys, mints and leaflets. to think of the insanity of blemishing your pants by stuffing them!
[are you happy to see me, or are you just prepared to get from point a to b?]

posted by guest

May 29, 2008 1:04PM

Most of my guy friends who carry bags get around the "man bag" stigma by carrying leather laptop bags. Even if they're not carrying a laptop, it always looks functional.

posted by guest

May 29, 2008 1:05PM

yawn. are you really rehashing the great murse debate of 2004? well, four years later, everyone, male and female, carries a bag. discussion over.

posted by FWD

May 29, 2008 1:21PM

Everyone, regardless of gender, should stop before hitting the pink Juicy pochette.

posted by kenya

May 29, 2008 1:25PM

omm, actually im a guy and i dont carry a bag unless im going to the airport. so not everyone carries one douche.

posted by guest

May 29, 2008 1:34PM

i got my boyfriend a really nice bag from reiss for his bday as he has loads to carry about- of course it doesn't look gay. it's kind of like a weekend bag but smaller. i also think i leather, quite big, accross the body bag is cool too.

however, a man using an umbrella, even if it's raining, always, ALWAYS looks gay. i just cannot accept that!!!

posted by sarahchivonne

May 29, 2008 1:50PM

A guy I work with always is carrying a bag. I've seen him with the muse, the speedy, numerous stella mccartneys, even a lesportsac (b&w) - and funnily enough, none of them were emasculating in the least. I guess its all in the confidence in which you wear your bag.

side note though, he does wear a lot of alexis bittar necklaces.

posted by mpw

May 29, 2008 1:53PM

I don't think there's anything wrong with a guy carrying a bag. I work in publishing, and a lot of my male colleagues use some sort of bag to schlep all those manuscripts around.

I'd much rather see a guy in a stylish bag than why his Blackberry clipped to his belt and his other belongings crammed into the pockets of his cargo shorts.

posted by guest

May 29, 2008 1:57PM

A man can't carry an umbrella? A man can't carry a bag? Mostly because it looks gay? I'm quite surprised to see such comments, particularly on a fashion site. It's not "gay," it's fashion forward! It's functional. I think the bag depends. A man carrying something ridiculously girlie doesn't *usually* work, just like a women dressed like a man doesn't *usually* work (exceptions, of course, mostly involving either incredibly beautiful women or David Beckham!)A structured black tote is relatively "unisex" even if usually carried by women, so unless a shih-tzu's head is poking out, I say carr away.

posted by cory

May 29, 2008 2:12PM

Yeah ... I've got messenger. The totes aren't bad, but then your hands are always full.

A piece I wrote about the subject a few seasons back for the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/artsandliving/fashionandbeauty/features/2006/fall-fashion/gr/flash/men/bags.html

posted by PJH

May 29, 2008 2:22PM

Ok, I have to chime in. I was not here for the great murse debate of 2004. But, I am a gay man. I am a six foot two, 250. I guess you could say that my presence is over the top. I carry a purse. It's not a murse, it's not a messenger bag, it's not a European male carry all. It's a purse. It's a beautiful purse: Prada chevre tote in hunter green and chocolate. I spent my first full-time paycheck on it. I don't even think about it. I find that bags and perfume and disposable razors sort of fall into the same category. How in the world can the cut and construction of a bag define a gender? I mean, really, who is that narrow to believe that? I don't think it's about gay or straight. Does anyone remember that picture of Snoop Dog carrying around his damier LV speedy last year? I don't like things in my pockets and most bags marketed to men are ugly and boring. There is no reason a man, gay straight, tall short, fat thin, otherwise, can't carry what is simply marketed as feminine bag. I find it really sad and quite disturbing that people still label each other's gender based on the sack that schleps their crap around. I understand that for the moment it's weird looking. Trust me, I get my fair share of comments, but I love my purse. I paid a lot of money for it, and it holds everything perfectly. In fact, for my birthday I'm getting myself a Birkin. It's about style and presence. I don't think men should have to limit themselves to gray brown and black gym and messenger bags to look good.

posted by guest

May 29, 2008 2:23PM

To "guest" @ 12:23PM:
What are you, 12? It's "gross"? "MarC JaCoBZzz"? You have a "million gay friends"? Right.

Personally, I couldn't live without my bags. C'est fonctionnel, point à la ligne. And might as well be functional AND stylish, no?

"I'd much rather see a guy in a stylish bag than why his Blackberry clipped to his belt and his other belongings crammed into the pockets of his cargo shorts." I couldn't agree more!

posted by guest

May 29, 2008 2:30PM

Guest @ 12:16PM
I agree with you. I am a guy that carries a BlackBerry, keycase with my cards/cash/change/and whatever else I use daily which is small, gum, paper organizer, keys, a pen. Way to much to carry in just your pockets. It all fits in a leather messenger bag with some room for a change of clothes.

Guest @ 1:34PM
Guys don't like to get wet any more then then woman do, especially when you have an expensive wool jacket on and it's pouring.

posted by guest

May 29, 2008 2:47PM

There's a whole "Malcolm In The Middle" episode on this. The youngest son takes one of his mom's old purse as his "backpack". It's a really funny episode, but it also makes a great point that a purse can be used by a male no matter the age.

posted by TyTy

May 29, 2008 2:48PM

Why should anyone have to project a masculine or feminine image just because of their sex anyway? Rock your damn purse...I wear them as well and I don't really give a shit about seeming feminine/masculine because it's all a farce anyway. Bags are definitely gendered but that doesn't mean the wearer should reject them on that basis - if it's cute and meshes well then go for it.

posted by guest

May 29, 2008 3:15PM

why is there so much emphasis on only gay men carrying bags?

i have a lot of fashion concious male friends who carry all different types of bags.

i feel like its very appropriate for guys to carry bags anymore, with that being said i also think that there are limits to what a guy can carry and what he can't.

i'm very big on smaller weekend bags for every day use.

i don't always drive my car with soaring gas prices, so tell me, how am i supposed to fit my cannon rebel, my sidekick, cigarettes, wallet, passport, ipod, and some sort of literature , and things of the sort around in my pockets? especially considering the fact i much prefer a slimmer fitting pants.

gender lines continue to blur, but i'm all for the "man bag, murse, etc." as long as it is done in good taste.

posted by guest

May 29, 2008 3:16PM

Let's face it! This is America and anyone is free to wear what he or she pleases. However, let us not forget that by buying and sporting certain brands and styles, we are sending loud and clear non-verbal messages that are interpreted by a much larger world than NYC. If a grown man walked down Madison Avenue with a pacifier in his mouth, we'd think he was Baby New Year or maybe a little slow. It's just natural to associate that pacifiers belong in babies' mouths. In New York City it is fashion forward and chic to wear clothing and accessories that have been designed with a particular gender in mind. I believe that a straight man should treat himself to a high quality, designer tote or messenger bag that has the strong lines and construction that a straight man commands as accessories are an extension of his likes, dislikes and lifestyle. A Gay man, regardless of his bone structure or sihouette will always reach for the feminine looking bag because it suits his lifestyle and the image he wants to portray. And by the way, color is yet another dead give-away of a person's sexual orientation. A man wearing a pastel colored bag is either begging for attention or Gay. I have done lots of research on this topic and the goal of a straight man in terms of a good wardrobe is to fit in, the goal of a gay man is to stand out and be different or "one of a kind." Color, line, size, texture are great indicators of the message you are trying to send, so don't kid yourselves.

posted by guest

May 29, 2008 3:21PM

The person who commented that straight men shouldn't use an umbrella must be a Lesbian! This is by far the most ridiculous comment I've ever heard.

posted by fay

May 29, 2008 4:43PM

guest @ 1:34PM

Plenty of men carry umbrellas here. Perhaps it's the old debate of "is he gay or is he British?"

But really, come on. Of course men can carry umbrellas. And as for bags, some men can carry it off, if that's part of they're style.

And guest @ 3.21PM - hands off the lesbians. It doesn't make you sound any less bigoted and idiotic than the person you're criticising.

posted by guest

May 29, 2008 5:05PM

isn't that pic from the sartorialist?? maybe i missed the attribution? the attention to intellectual property issues on this site seems to be a bit inconsistent...

posted by bastylefilegirl

May 29, 2008 5:39PM

I hate MURSES ( Male Purses)! Just from this women's perspective if it's not a oversized messenger bag that carries your laptop then you probably shouldn't carry it. Isn't that the luxury of being a man only a wallet and keys?

posted by hipstersdontlie

May 29, 2008 6:33PM

PJH is my new hero!

I carry totes. I have one from uniqlo and another from Steven Alan.

posted by guest

May 29, 2008 7:32PM

I do agree with a lot of you, I'm a man and I also carry alot of stuff not only women, keys, wallet, sidekick, water, umbrella (and by the way a man carrying an umbrella gay? come on, grow up) newspaper, gum, and personally I don't like my keys sticking from my pants specially if they are skinny, THAT's a faux-pas and ruin the silouette of the outfit

posted by Jac

May 29, 2008 8:22PM

I'm surprised at people saying men shouldnt carry bags. You're the reason gender identities are so screwed up...let people wear what they want--especially if it is functional.

posted by guest

May 30, 2008 12:26PM

To guest 3:16PM:

I dont know where and with who you did all that research you say you did. But to generalize gay people like you just did (pastels? come on). Im gay and have a lottttt of gay friends who wear bags unlike the ones described by you as gay bags just because we dont like to put things in our pockets and because most of the time we have a lot to carry with us. You better think before you demean or generalize that way. So I agree with guest 7:32PM What are we supposed to carry briefcases and messenger bags forever? .... NOT!

And btw... not all of us want to be or look like a woman. OK! enough said!

posted by streetboi

May 30, 2008 9:28PM

I'm a gay guy. And yes I have SEVERAL Marc By Marc Jacobs bags(murses). I personally like the convenience of having something to carry all of my stuff. I take my bag every where. To school to work, and I work at a very HETEROSEXUAL oriented company...hint ( green bottle and is beer). I don't see why people can't just use whatever they feel they need.

posted by guest

May 31, 2008 1:59PM

If you can pull it off, why not? I own a couple of Balenciaga "work" bags and thinking about getting a "MUSE" of my own. But you don't want to go that far like Fendi's "SPY" or Hermes' "KELLY" (but BIRKIN is OK.)

posted by guest

Jun 01, 2008 12:01PM

guest @ 12:23, why are you reading a fashion blog if you're just going to act like you're too cool for marc jacobs, one of the most influential designers of the time?

posted by guest

Jun 01, 2008 7:54PM

i am the dreaded guest who mentioned the umbrella, and i LOVE the reply-comment: is he gay or is he British?"

i think most of you need to understand the concept of irony and sarcasm! i think there really is a huge difference between british and american sense of humor!

all these comments make me squeal with laughter! it's fashion! not politics!

men carrying umbrella's is something i don't like- like odd socks, women who wear badly fitting trouser suits and crocs. it's not a criminal offense.