Mursey Me
Call them what you will — modern day briefcases, mailman rip offs, man purses — but messenger bags are here to stay. If their ubiquitous representation everywhere from Target to Prada didn’t convince you, then perhaps this season’s new heap of bags will. The diverse options should permanently dispel the notion that a messenger bag should only weigh down the tailored shoulders of GQ subscribers.
"Messenger bags aren’t a trend anymore," said Allison Levy, merchandise manager of men’s retail for The Doneger Group, a fashion merchandising and consulting group. "They’re now a staple item in men’s accessory departments."
Like women, men now have more than a set of keys and a wallet to remember before walking out the door. BlackBerries, iPods, cell phones and — the most convincing argument for the case of the messenger bag — laptops all require more room than the busiest pair of cargo pants can offer. A bag with a strap attached solves the problem. Who knew?
But that was the problem when the bags debuted five years ago: messenger bags veered too close to purse territory. According to Levy it came down to the strap. Men like to handle, not carry. Hence the handles of brief cases, travel and gym bags (and the term "man handle"). Eventually, most of them caved. Those who didn’t continue to fasten their fanny packs. That includes Hulk Hogan, who chucked what he called a "man purse" into a fountain on a recent episode of "Hogan Knows Best."
A true messenger bag can be worn either across the chest or over one shoulder and would never be confused for the "It" bags encased in glass at Neiman Marcus. "Messenger bags aren’t even particularly man bags," said Daniel Billett, men’s fashion expert for About.com. "More guys are embracing them and most guys won’t wear anything more than they have to."
Judging from the range of designs, guys can tote the bags off the clock, too. Some designs are ideal for hiking, a trip to the gym or an outdoor concert. And, for the fashionistos, some bags just put the exclamation point at the end of the statement.
Take a look at the assortment of messenger bags available this fall. Functional fashion never looked so good.
Contact fashion reporter Xazmin Garza at xgarza@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0477.
