Tokyo Style Report: men’s handbags

7 Mar 2007 Category: Fashion, Features, Japan, Recommended, Top Page 10

Tokyo Style Report: men’s handbags

Here is the proof: boys like to wear handbags in Tokyo. PingMag model Keiji on the way to several men's handbags departments - this one is his own bag.

In other global cities they may still wear ACNE jeans or cardigans, in Tokyo that would be just one of last week’s trends amongst so many others. But - there is something lasting here that stands out. Something that can be spotted in every street around Shibuya: men wearing (ladies’) handbags, pocketbooks and soft purses - casually over the shoulder, elegantly on the wrist or firmly gripped on the way to a meeting. Thanks here to trend hunter Rene Kurita who went out to the fashionable neighbourhoods of Tokyo to document what seems to be so common here.

Written by Verena
Photos by Rene Kurita and Verena


Bags for boys in all sizes.

Where did it actually all start, that men are so conscious and caring about their looks in Japan? From what we know, it all started in the late 70s to early 80s when lots of men’s fashion magazines came up. Hot Dog Press, Checkmate, Popeye, Men’s NonNo - just to name a few. With disco fading away there came this decade of the eyeliner, the new wave and the softened aesthetics of pop. In 1995 street fashion magazine SMART came out and with that every man in Japan went simply crazy to find out about the real trend! SMART is basically the men’s version of CUTiE magazine, that eventually stressed on fashion picts and trendy graphics.


Long shopping bags, either delicately swinging…

… or used more as back-hangers for urban travellers.

Japanese boys like them in colour, too: a strong red is just the right thing for an afternoon walk along Omotesando…

…and what looks good on girls, might suit boys as well: gold!

But why?

Why do boys wear bags at all? All you need is money, keys, phone… right? Pockets in your jeans will do… Wrong! One obvious reason is practicability here! If you ever lived in Tokyo, one thing is for sure: everybody spends a lot of time traveling on the train from home to the centre of things (think about the greater metropolitan area of Tokyo - this is not Paris!). That’s why people might not come home after work before sports or party activities (and some won’t even come home for days…).

Therefore it does make a lot of sense to keep everything in one decent looking bag. Another thing is culture, I guess. Whereas in Europe boys are just fine to carry their uttermost essentials – maybe they like to feel free, unhampered from any exterior burden such as a bag - let alone the sight of a feminine looking handbag! A Western bloke wouldn’t so easily throw the strap of a small purse over his shoulder to head out in the urban wilderness…

This is the way to wear it: PingMag model Keiji demonstrates the typical way of letting the purse hang like a ladies’ bag would dangle from a woman’s wrist.

Red is a must! Worn tightly.

Another way of playfully displaying your new pocketbook: with a soft grip, like you would hold your cup of Royal Milk Tea.

But why not?

Let’s get back to the late 80s one more time, as those also started some theories about the gender twist. Think of it like this: if a bloke wears a usually feminine connotated designer piece, you might think he’s either on the forefront of the metrosexual movement - or - in the Western world some people might put him in the gay category. Because by his act of wearing clothes you could think he demonstrates his attitude and therefore wants others to perceive him in that way, too. That’s why Judith Butler started to lecture us about performative action in 1990. One of her issues was, that gender is rather a social construction. In short, according to her you’d just have to simply act it out and wear by the sleeve what you would like to be - feminine, masculine, or something somewhere in between.

But that is simply a Western way of looking at things! It can’t just be imposed onto the Japanese context. I highly doubt that an analysis of the usual Sunday shopping frenzy in Shibuya could be perceived as a bold attempt of gender bending. I guess, the boys just wear whatever they think is best in terms of highest possible stylishness - let it be a dress, a long skirt, make-up, or the handbag. If it suits them well (and it certainly does) then it can certainly be worn without any deeper pondering about attitude or performative action. That is one of the reasons why the fashion market is here: fast, free, new and radical. Ask any fashion designer you know, and they will tell you that they love Japan!

How practical: the necessary things are hanging on the back.

Look at this! A tiny brown purse with stamped out flower motifs for the city boy…

… and a version to match the individual apparel.

The How-to

So a boy in Shibuya might dress in the common casual style that looks something like “just out of bed”, with the hairdo heavily rumpled and the clothes neatly arranged to look very loose. And yet, the ladies’ purse that he is wearing so elegantly doesn’t effeminate him at all. You can be anything from ‘Arbaito’ boy (part-time staff) to businessman - important is the style of attaching your bag to the rest of the outfit. It can be a tight grip around the handle or a loose fit over the shoulder - there is always a delicate thin strap functioning as a fashionable accent to match the apparel - like a touch of rouge on the cheeks.


Here we have Keiji again showing us his usual habit of wearing his handbag…

… and here he tries on some of the more colourful products. A green crocodile imitation? Well, there’s a product for every taste.

Last but not least the designer handbag from Yves Saint Laurent, spotted in Shibuya. Also a must!

There certainly are as many different handbag styles as there are different men… In Shibuya the boys with the Beyoncé-lookalike girlfriends certainly go for something less subtle: an outdoor camper’s bag, sometimes dangling from their behinds. Also, businessmen are increasingly spotted with a certain Burberry bag having the label well visible on its front. Another variation: Porter - Yoshida & Company is the Japanese brand that is really popular over here right now.

But one thing is totally lacking in this little survey: the trend of utilizing messenger bags! Well, these aren’t the bags to go on the wrist, usually… But right now there is an exhibition at Ebisu’s POINT gallery about that issue alone, displaying messenger bags illustrated by artists such as DISKAH or MADSAKI. Worth checking that out for more in case you are in town!

91 Comments

  1. but it looks gay

    Posted by: yum on March 7th, 2007 at 10:38 pm

  2. who is this mysterious keiji? he is the BESTLOOKING man i’ve ever seen! where can i get his phone number? money is NOT an issue!

    Posted by: breathless fan on March 7th, 2007 at 11:35 pm

  3. I guess I’m a “Western bloke” then. Though I can accept other people wearing these ‘feminine’ looking bag; but, I can never see myself in it. I still prefer using the old fashion backpack or simply just jeans’ pockets.

    Posted by: Ben on March 8th, 2007 at 12:14 am

  4. Man-bags, as I like to call them are not specific to Japan. You’ll find young men carrying them all over Korea/Singapore/HK . I’ve even seen that they are poluar in places such as Paris, Zurich and Berlin.

    Although I think they look great, I believe they are a very practical choice for major metropolitan areas.

    Backpacks are just NOT practical in Tokyo. Try getting on the subway with a packpack at peak hour… And frankly, you’d just look silly in Tokyo with a backpack… like you are going hiking or something.

    Posted by: Roger on March 8th, 2007 at 12:45 am

  5. While a few of those bags might be a little too feminine for Americans, you’ll see quite a few man purses in New York… it’s not that unusual.

    Posted by: Lampbane on March 8th, 2007 at 1:06 am

  6. Not a big deal in Toronto. In downtown Toronto, half the men carry laptops and half of those men carry them in really nice bags. It has lifted the gender split on the bag issue so now men are carrying things other than their laptops in such bags; it’s a sign of the times.

    Posted by: Andrew on March 8th, 2007 at 5:02 am

  7. As for myself, I prefer a more “messenger bag” style to the more feminine style.

    Posted by: Jeff on March 8th, 2007 at 5:10 am

  8. Roger: You see. I’m from Hong Kong (and I’ve been to Tokyo and Seoul)and I know what you are talking about but I still use my backpack on subway. All you do is just take it off while you’re on the train. Or as the article mentioned above, just use jeans pockets. These are just my opinion, no hard feelings.

    And yes, men carrying these kind of bags are not unusual in Calgary (Canada) too.

    Posted by: Ben on March 8th, 2007 at 5:18 am

  9. I’m with Jeff here. Jeans pockets sometimes aren’t enough (especially if you need a book or papers), but I’m not willing to wear a man-bag.

    Cool article though.

    Posted by: Alexander on March 8th, 2007 at 6:30 am

  10. Well, besides I wouldn’t wear one of those “feminine-style” bags (especially this tight red one), I like the idea and maybe its controversity behind it. Haven’t seen a single man with such a bag here in Zurich anyway. Need to keep an eye on it. ^^

    Posted by: Rob on March 8th, 2007 at 6:42 am

  11. very gay LOL

    Posted by: trish on March 8th, 2007 at 7:44 am

  12. Laptop shoulder bags, messenger bags or backpacks here in the US. Attache cases are kind of gone. Clothes with more/bigger utility pockets also work. Of course, some time ago you would have had fewer choices - a backpack or a gym bag or maybe duffel bag for the working class gent. It’s a weird area that has always had quite a bit of social waltzing involved: how does a man carry stuff without appearing to have a purse?!

    Posted by: LeMel on March 8th, 2007 at 7:48 am

  13. What about satchels? They are a kind of man-bag aren’t they? Or a kind of boy-bag. When I was at school it wasn’t very cool to have a satchel because they are for carrying books (but are also useful for lots of things like sandwiches and water pistols). Satchels always have really nice buckles on them. You can find some really nice satchels these days, especially in charity shops in upper class parts of London. I still have mine from when I was a boy and I sometimes use it for my mac.

    Posted by: miiic on March 8th, 2007 at 8:33 am

  14. haha, the bags look great but I wouldn’t think it’d be feasible to wear over here in the Philippines, since we tend to be conservative.

    A local graphic design company (http://www.teammanila.com/) has in their product roster though, sets of canvas tote bags up.

    Posted by: aaron on March 8th, 2007 at 9:58 am

  15. [...] A Tokyo, c’est une autre histoire… [...]

    Posted by: “besace” « ShinYoko on March 8th, 2007 at 12:47 pm

  16. those bags are hot i live in wollongong not tokyo so you wouldnt see that sort of stuff here.

    Posted by: harry on March 8th, 2007 at 1:35 pm

  17. ps a bag is usually always needed otherwise where would you keep your sketch book full of pics to send to ping mag

    Posted by: harry on March 8th, 2007 at 1:37 pm

  18. I don’t mind dating a hand-bag carrying man, but i prefer those without so they can carry mine for me when i’m tired. haha

    Posted by: Piggy Ang on March 8th, 2007 at 1:38 pm

  19. I think men with women’s handbags look pretty arty farty cool..

    Posted by: Maki on March 8th, 2007 at 1:55 pm

  20. that’s just plain weird.

    Posted by: anne on March 8th, 2007 at 2:13 pm

  21. I hate men who carry their Girl’s bag and hate the Girls who ask their men to do so…Quite a usual site in Tokyo and I simply can’t stand it.I would never date a man who does this..anyways.quite personal view.
    Great article though!!

    Posted by: Tanya on March 8th, 2007 at 2:51 pm

  22. So jealous of Tokyo. I live in South Africa were clothes are put in one of these catagories: Gay, Farmer, Real Estate Agent, Surfer Kid, Tourist. Like Lego.

    Miximg clothes from different catagories immediately puts you back in Gay. How sad is that? Cape Town is a little better, but still very insecure.

    Freedom to wear what you feel is like free speech - you don’t miss it until its gone. Clothes are a major part of our cultural participation.

    PS I’m trying hard to find an email for PingMag, help!

    Posted by: John Freeman on March 8th, 2007 at 2:52 pm

  23. Revolutinery choice for men handbags.

    Posted by: Paavani on March 8th, 2007 at 4:32 pm

  24. i never thought i’d think of man bags as stylish, but these are really nice. it doesn’t look at all as odd or jarring as i thought.

    Posted by: Anonymous on March 8th, 2007 at 5:02 pm

  25. harry, please send me your sketches, then ;-) John, “contact PingMag” on the right hand side ;-) Thanks to all of you!

    Posted by: Uleshka on March 8th, 2007 at 5:19 pm

  26. Wow!!!! i think it is pretty cool. Looks OK though. Nah… people labels things too much. Whats wrong with a man carrying a bag?

    Posted by: Do on March 8th, 2007 at 5:43 pm

  27. If you are worried about being percieved as gay because of your style… you are worried cause you are dangerously close to going over the gay cliff and falling into the abyss of homo-ness. Insecurity is funny.

    Posted by: Mike on March 8th, 2007 at 9:54 pm

  28. We all know there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with using a bag, but In the west we get squeamish about it because nearly all of our ideas about sex come from religion which is thousands of years old and was developed by people who as David Cross says were even dumber than the dumbest mother fuckers around today. So now we can’t even do an obviously convenient thing without feeling extremely uncomfortable. Its silly, just look at how the article was written, with all the innuendo about being effeminate. Its so silly and I think we just don’t know how to think any other way, even after we have long since shrugged it off. That’s one thing I really love about living in Tokyo, it’s that Japanese people don’t have that ugly legacy.

    Posted by: natas on March 8th, 2007 at 10:29 pm

  29. I think I have that black bag on top. Essential.

    Posted by: Antonin on March 8th, 2007 at 10:46 pm

  30. some of it are just so gay!!!!

    red???.. forget it!

    Posted by: cote on March 8th, 2007 at 11:27 pm

  31. I don’t have a problem with it. There are so many cases where guys who have bags look really good. ..but there has to be a difference between looking good with the right type of bag for a guy than just plainly being a guy who carries a bag. I mean that green crocodile one? …not on Kenji, thanks. At least not after a change of clothes.

    Posted by: Einna on March 9th, 2007 at 11:40 am

  32. *not until after a change of clothes, I meant. o_o

    Posted by: Einna on March 9th, 2007 at 11:41 am

  33. Whats wrong with Red color? Guys wearing red bag, t-shirt is not a Gay Identity.

    Guys who always wore white, black, or gray clothes, bags, shoes is like a dead man walking in the park. Seriously you will get lost in a big city like Japan and no one will be looking at you, because you are just look like the concrete.

    Posted by: Ncus on March 9th, 2007 at 5:54 pm

  34. Well, the “purses” in Japan are marketed specifically guys. They certainly don’t go shopping in the women’s department to get them! One thing you have to realize about Japan is that you have to fit in with the trend. If the trend is bags, that you buy bags (better if their fron an expensive and visible brand!) It’s not considered gay here, though that’s probably because the lack of gay visibility here in general.

    Posted by: Bahia on March 9th, 2007 at 6:38 pm

  35. The lack of gay visibility plays into it. These same guys pluck their eyebrows and nobody really thinks twice about it.

    Posted by: fred on March 9th, 2007 at 10:37 pm

  36. This is why I love japan XD; people aren’t so close minded to go OMG you must be gay cause you have a purse, there have been so many times that I wanted my father too have a purse because of how many things he looses. He has lost his wallet more than once and his cell phone I’m waiting for him to just never find it again. Style isnt avout if your gay or straight, all that matters is that you look good :D!

    Posted by: Ryu chan on March 9th, 2007 at 11:04 pm

  37. This is why I love japan XD; people aren’t so close minded to go OMG you must be gay cause you have a purse, there have been so many times that I wanted my father too have a purse because of how many things he looses. He has lost his wallet more than once and his cell phone I’m waiting for him to just never find it again. Style isn’t about if your gay or straight, all that matters is that you look good :D!

    Posted by: Ryu chan on March 9th, 2007 at 11:04 pm

  38. no se trata de ser de mente cerrada, es solo que honestamente…….. se ben bastante gay! (sin ser homofobico)

    Posted by: ego on March 10th, 2007 at 2:14 am

  39. It’s practical! I like the idea - I usually end up carrying all the stuff my husbands needs (phone, books, money, keys, ipod, papers, maps, chewing gum, whatever) in my bag. I’d very much like him to have his own :)

    Posted by: iinoyo on March 11th, 2007 at 8:45 am

  40. Geez, here in NYC men carry purses all the time. A BAG IS A BAG…sheesh. Who cares if it looks gay. Stop being so President Bush y’all.

    Posted by: DC on March 11th, 2007 at 10:25 am

  41. as a fearless straight boy in NYC that wears a be&d deerskin bag, i must say “i heartily approve!!!!”

    @ DC … agreed, a BAG is a BAD.

    but going beyond that, a bag doesn’t make you gay … only who you fuck does. sheesh. do what you like, wear what you like. people don’t fit so nicely into hyper-pedantic aesthetic boxes matching with their sexuality as we’d like to force them to.

    Posted by: eric on March 11th, 2007 at 10:39 am

  42. erm a BAG is a BAG i mean … not ‘bad’

    Posted by: eric on March 11th, 2007 at 10:39 am

  43. Whoa, you probably wouldn’t catch me carrying one of those!

    Posted by: Hdr on March 11th, 2007 at 6:31 pm

  44. Great man bag article, they look good, but I am not sure about the one - “tiny brown purse with stamped out flower motifs”, it take a lot of guts to carry it.

    Posted by: funtote on March 12th, 2007 at 1:07 am

  45. Looking at this, its just a smaller and more ‘feminine’ version of the normal sling bag that most university students wear (well in Australia anyway). I see nothing against it but I would have to be in an environment that it is really popular or trendy to actually try to wear one at all.

    Posted by: Rikki on March 13th, 2007 at 6:59 am

  46. I think it’s very stylish.
    Just be careful to use the kind of bag that suits your outfit so it won’t look funny.

    (hehe, the power of Men’s fashion magazines!) /gg

    Posted by: chocomerry on March 13th, 2007 at 1:54 pm

  47. its just a bag… apart of the trends i think that any accessorie that you carry shoudl somehow fit our personality and make more visible whats cool about you, It will always look great in that way.

    Posted by: priss on March 13th, 2007 at 9:59 pm

  48. Wow, all those dudes look super gay!
    hahaha

    Posted by: seto on March 14th, 2007 at 12:21 am

  49. [...] Tokyo Style Report: men’s handbags Sagen Sie mal: Wieviel wiegt eure Handtasche? Ähnliche Artikel: Tasche exklusiv für [...]

    Posted by: Taschenblog » Warum Männer Taschen tragen sollten - Handtaschen, Täschchen, Taschen, Beutel und Koffer on March 14th, 2007 at 1:00 am

  50. This might be off topic. Since we are talking about Tokyo’s fashion trend, has anyone noticed that nowadays male youngster (especially highschool students) in Tokyo are wearing eyeliner? It would be great if PingMag could do some research on it…how did it become a trend?

    Posted by: sim on March 14th, 2007 at 3:30 am

  51. It’s an old dilemma, how to carry cellphone, wallet, keys and the other small stuff that you occasionally have to bring, e.g. passport. Masculine bags are too big and feminin bags are not my cup of tea. Fill your pockets and your clothes get a bad fit.
    Anybody have a better solution?

    Posted by: JB on March 14th, 2007 at 5:31 am

  52. It’s EUROPEAAAN!!!

    Posted by: Jerry S. on March 15th, 2007 at 2:08 am

  53. VERY stylish bag Keiji is holding at the very top image. Can PingMag/Keiji or someone help me out here. What brand it is? Where can I order it online?

    Thanks.

    Posted by: Joakim on March 15th, 2007 at 9:24 am

  54. hm. one point not really covered is how/if these trends have changed. When I first lived in Japan in the late 80’s, I remember very distinctly starting to see men carry little bags, about the size of shaving kits, with wrist straps.

    In the 90’s, it was larger, portfolio-style bags, but the last few years, it seems like it’s been full-sized totebags, longhandle purses, even, a whole range (but most definitely bigger.) Is this just my own perception?

    Also, it would have been nice to see any mention of brands or credits in the photos above. “It’s red!” is not really adding much when you can see the red bag yourself…

    Posted by: greg.org on March 15th, 2007 at 2:08 pm

  55. Is ACNE allready blasé? Swedish brands use to last.

    Posted by: Eric on March 16th, 2007 at 4:15 am

  56. [...] Tokyo Style Report: men s handbags… one of last week s trends amongst so many others. But - there is something lasting here that stands out. Something that can be spotted in every street around Shibuya: men wearing (ladies ) handbags, pocketbooks and soft purses […] [...]

    Posted by: Purses Directory » Blog Archive » Replica Designer Purse - 3 years’ probation for purse snatcher who tried to sell bag back (Arizona Daily Star) on March 16th, 2007 at 8:08 am

  57. nice stuf. I like shaggy bags :)

    Posted by: tobto on March 16th, 2007 at 9:10 pm

  58. It’s not a purse! It’s european!

    Posted by: Anonymous on March 18th, 2007 at 2:23 pm

  59. [...] Tokyo Style Report: men s handbags… one of last week s trends amongst so many others. But - there is something lasting here that stands out. Something that can be spotted in every street around Shibuya: men wearing (ladies ) handbags, pocketbooks and soft purses […] [...]

    Posted by: Purses Directory » Blog Archive » Coach Patchwork Purse - handbags @ dawn on March 19th, 2007 at 12:30 am

  60. I don’t know if it has to do with culture but just looking at the japanese guys holding the bags/purses seems so right but just picturing my boyfriend a purse seems so wrong…ok i think he could pull it off but most guys in the caribbean would not be trying that style.

    loved the bags.

    Posted by: dendoo on March 20th, 2007 at 8:34 pm

  61. [...] PingMag - The Tokyo-based magazine about “Design and Making Things” » Archive » Tokyo Style Re… At last! Bags good. All bags good. (tags: article bags pingmag tokyo) [...]

    Posted by: links for 2007-03-23 | pollas.dk [permanent meta] » Blog Archive on March 23rd, 2007 at 3:22 pm

  62. [...] Tokyo Style Report: men s handbags… one of last week s trends amongst so many others. But - there is something lasting here that stands out. Something that can be spotted in every street around Shibuya: men wearing (ladies ) handbags, pocketbooks and soft purses […] [...]

    Posted by: Purses Directory » Blog Archive » Betty Boop Purse - 7 linked to car break-in scheme (Asheville Citizen-Times) on April 5th, 2007 at 8:45 am

  63. What an amazing concept: a man with a bag. Well I never…

    Posted by: Mr macon on April 7th, 2007 at 10:09 pm

  64. if you’re too much of a pussy to appear gay but still need the practicality of a man-bag you should rock a smaller military bag from an army surplus store… i have ones from all different countries, some even waterproof, but one in particular is ideal… tons of pockets for cell, organizers, sketchbooks, book, etc. and the ammunition pockets are ideal for smaller things like change or business cards.

    throw a patch on that shit and maybe a blood stain and you’re the perfect combination of masculine-gay-art bike-messenger subway-rider thriftstore-gucci-shopping literary rambo.

    Posted by: CityOnFire on April 12th, 2007 at 3:46 pm

  65. [...] Tokyo Style Report: men s handbags… one of last week s trends amongst so many others. But - there is something lasting here that stands out. Something that can be spotted in every street around Shibuya: men wearing (ladies ) handbags, pocketbooks and soft purses […] [...]

    Posted by: Purses Directory » Blog Archive » Discount Purse Coach Bag - Detail id E comment_page largest selection of guar… on April 20th, 2007 at 12:17 am

  66. sometimes jeans pockets are not enough

    Posted by: bicho on April 30th, 2007 at 6:49 am

  67. [...] Tokyo Style Report: men s handbags… one of last week s trends amongst so many others. But - there is something lasting here that stands out. Something that can be spotted in every street around Shibuya: men wearing (ladies ) handbags, pocketbooks and soft purses […] [...]

    Posted by: Purses Directory » Blog Archive » Chanel Purse - celine handbags on May 1st, 2007 at 10:10 am

  68. Please check out theses bags by SupremeLoveStory: plasticpeople.com

    Posted by: Shannon South on May 7th, 2007 at 11:57 pm

  69. [...] All over the place more and more men can be seen with pocket book style looking bags, thanks to laptops and the need for something to protect them. However, in Tokyo it is apparently becoming increasingly popular to have distinctly feminine pocketbook or purse style bags just to put crap in and carry around with you. Reading other people’s responses to this trend it seems like there are a lot of guys that claim they will never be caught carrying something like that. I don’t think it’s a big deal at all and I would actually be surprised if it doesn’t become more common in America for men to have bags that are traditionally seen being carried by women. Maybe if I had to carry stuff around with me all the time to all the places that I don’t walk to, I would consider it. But pockets or a backpack seem easier and more comfortable. Also, with what my Upper Playground backpack cost me I plan on using it for as long as possible. Original Article [...]

    Posted by: » Blog Archive » Gentlemen with lady’s sacks! on May 9th, 2007 at 12:33 pm

  70. My Japanese friends go wild on the Australian Ella Maiden cowhide bags. 100% handcrafted in Australia and 100% genuine hand shaved cowhide. They really stand out and are head turners!
    See: http://www.ellamaiden.com You’ll love it. Their Travel Bag is their most sold Japanese men’s bag: http://www.ellamaiden.com/product/index.cfm?c=luggage&p=TRAVEL_BAG

    Posted by: Patrick on May 15th, 2007 at 4:14 pm

  71. [...] Tokyo Style Report: men’s handbags 7 Mar 2007 This is the way to wear it: PingMag model Keiji demonstrates the typical way of letting the purse hang like a ladies’ bag would dangle from a woman’s wrist. …and what looks good on girls, might suit boys as well: gold! Japanese boys like them in colour, too: a strong red is just the right thing for an afternoon walk along Omotesando… … and a version to match the individual apparel. Red is a must! Worn tightly. Another way of playfully displaying your new pocketbook: with a soft grip, like you would hold your cup of Royal Milk Tea. Credit: pingmag.jp [Source] [...]

    Posted by: ShenYue! » Blog Archive » How Girly of a Man Are You?! on May 16th, 2007 at 2:09 pm

  72. Both backpacks an handbags are worn in Japan on the train with no problems.

    Posted by: Tanksta on May 23rd, 2007 at 6:22 am

  73. Did man-bag hit the fashion world during the 70’s?
    I recalled when I saw some retro fashion magazines from dusty archive

    Posted by: ray on May 29th, 2007 at 3:53 pm

  74. i live in texas usa, and i would love to see man bags be “in” here. unfortunately, i think it will be awhile because of all the reasons stated in the article about silly western notions.
    my husband wears a sort-of over the shoulder satchel. when you leave for a day trip there many things you want to take with you that just don’t fit in poskets: lip balm, gum, wallet (why put strain on jean/pant poskets), keys, pen/pencil, small notebook/moleskine, ipod, phone headset, etc. altho i do admit that sometimes i tease him and call it his “murse” - the words man and purse smooshed together. :D

    Posted by: burd on May 30th, 2007 at 3:41 am

  75. [...] has a great posting contrasting the use and acceptance of handbags for men between eastern and western [...]

    Posted by: Haute Concept-The Mens Wear Fashion and Style Magazine & Blog » Blog Archive » Men’s handbags all the rage in Tokyo on June 20th, 2007 at 5:19 am

  76. Every single person on here who thinks having a bag makes you look gay is an outright moron. How about this, tell me my bag makes me gay or look gay and I’ll break your fucking conservative close-minded prick face. Too harsh? No, I’m sick of this shit.

    Posted by: Marc on July 23rd, 2007 at 5:39 pm

  77. hahahahaha being gay seems like such a scary and horrible fate to most of you. try it before you decide! gay sex for all!

    Posted by: iliona on July 25th, 2007 at 7:30 am

  78. as long as you know how to carry it…these bags arent just for girls nor fags, keeping inclined in fashion is never been a sin, as long as you look good with then no sense of reason at all… i’ll go with it, envy me its my bag anyway

    Posted by: solo on July 28th, 2007 at 12:56 am

  79. If there was someone in the icon world celeb stats. It would change the mind of people about it being so gay but some colors or around the arm can seem a little gay. But should bags can work if the design is manly.

    Posted by: Charlie Rock on August 20th, 2007 at 5:51 pm

  80. Here in Germany, many men use shoulder bags or messenger or diffrent ones. Nobody is looking at you. It is normal. And i like bags. I have more than my girlfriend. And if somebody thinks i am gay - i don’t care about it.

    Posted by: Juergen on September 7th, 2007 at 12:28 am

  81. I live in Nagoya in Japan. I find it strange being reminded of western perceptions of male fashion, that anything unusual or new render the person gay. I have a few shoulder bags now and they look good. Girl friends have told me they look and male non- jap friends have asked where I bought them.

    Posted by: Angus on September 7th, 2007 at 1:36 am

  82. Way too Faggy for me…..

    Posted by: DarrenCanada on September 16th, 2007 at 7:18 am

  83. Yo DarrenCanada + other homophobes, take your p_enises out of your cousins for a second and join the 21st century.

    Posted by: DarrenCanada is a powerful douche on October 17th, 2007 at 11:59 pm

  84. whoa…needs some time to get used to, but definitely a break in the conventional butch look.

    Posted by: nwl on November 7th, 2007 at 10:40 pm

  85. haha very funny guys, it’s absolutly beautiful and fashion to wear men’s bag over here in The Netherlands. Most of straight men do wear, design& fashion men’s bag. Why being scared of other people judgement to wear what you like?
    Great topic though… ;-)

    Posted by: Carl on December 4th, 2007 at 6:54 pm

  86. My product the GRABIT PACK at http://www.grabitpack.com solves a lot of the problems mentioned above.

    Posted by: Louis Kiss on February 4th, 2008 at 12:07 pm

  87. Ok so here’s what I think about men bags and woman bags

    Men puts: laptops,gym shoes/clothing (if they ever go to the gym), cellphones, a folder, keys, pocket pc, ipods, cameras, money, lunch, etc.

    Woman puts: mirrors, make up, wallet, cellphone, keys, hair brush, etc

    Men are more like gadget and business-like carriers.

    Women are more about aestetical and beauty product carriers.

    if you wanna see if someone is gay, just try find out if they have blush powder, lipsticks or some of the stuff that a women would carry in their bags, it’s not about what’s outside, its about what’s inside of it. heh heh

    Posted by: Anonymous on March 27th, 2008 at 10:18 am

  88. A few years ago I would n’t have carried a bag but started with a fanny pack and now I’d be lost without my “purse”. It is quite common in NYC and I love the fact I can take a camera as well as lots of thing I might want. I’ve always been on the cutting edge and have warped the gender rules, back in the 80’s eyeliner and make-up on guys was hip, and the 70’s had disigner jeans that were so tight you could tell a quater was heads or tails.Now at 50 metrosexing is fine by me.

    Posted by: Teddy Nicholas on June 13th, 2008 at 11:37 am

  89. Ayyyyye ! dannng dats mean as
    Here in Australia we have already
    started wearing the ‘Mens Handbag’
    awsome trend !

    Posted by: Junior on June 28th, 2008 at 9:32 am

  90. Hi there! I think such bags are cool man. It’s stylish enough to match with office wear and casual enough for a wkend look. Been trying to look for one myself in singapore but I can’t seem to find it. anyone has any recommendations? in SG or online shopping?

    Posted by: pseudonym on March 2nd, 2009 at 11:43 pm

  91. ah, could you help me to tell the brand name of Keiji’s handbag?
    I really want to know that brand name too much!~

    Thanks for your suggestion.

    Posted by: nicky on September 3rd, 2009 at 2:51 pm

  • Share and Enjoy:
  • del.icio.us
  • digg
  • Fark
  • NewsVine
  • RawSugar
  • Reddit
  • YahooMyWeb
Previously on PingMag