It's a guy thing (No, it's not a purse!)

Men have always been baffled as to why a woman would need to lug around an extra appendage her purse. Thanks to the rise of the “man-bag,” guys are now stepping out of their safety zones to find out for themselves.

These are not the rigid briefcases of your grandfather's time. Today's bags primarily totes, carry-alls, satchels, duffels and messengers are a more relaxed take on the briefcase without sacrificing business appeal. They are sleek, stylish and sophisticated in an array of luscious leathers, low-key canvas designs and smart wovens.

“Everything is cyclical,” said local menswear designer Michael Krell, 27, who with business partner Colby Backous has been designing and manufacturing men's clothes for seven years under the label Michael J. Krell. “Men have been carrying briefcases forever, and it's just sort of more updated.”

Janet Case, a sales associate at Overland Sheepskin Co. in the Old Market, said her store has seen a recent increase in sales of men's messenger bags.

“It's the up-and-coming, hot, young, new executives; it's everybody out of school. That's what they carry,” Case said. “Even in college, as opposed to the backpacks, a lot of kids went to messenger bags.”

A bag provides an organized place for a man to carry around all the items he needs on the go, from his laptop, cell phone and other electronic gadgets to pens, paper, gum and car keys.

“I always have stuff on me, and I lose it everywhere I go,” said Chase Thornburg, 25, an Omaha musician.

Thornburg tries to find fun and interesting pieces that are a combination of useful and aesthetically pleasing.

“I carry all kinds of bags,” he said. “I have different color bags for different outfits, but I keep it pretty simple because I'm pretty streamlined. I have bags with purposes.”

With a collection that includes a black leather satchel, a bowling bag (which he sometimes uses for everyday travels) and a small cross-body bag that he favors for concerts and cycling, Thornburg confesses that he has too many bags.

But he takes issue with the all-too-common notion of “too many bags” being a feminine trait.

“I'm comfortable enough with my own masculinity to where if it's looked at as more of a feminine thing, I don't necessarily think that's bad,” he said.

“I just call it a purse. Call a spade a spade, but I need one.”

« Fashion

Share