The next best thing men can make a statement with: A stylish bag!
It’s 2024, and many men out there are still either carrying their stuff in the pockets of their pants or getting their significant others to carry it in their bags. While we have nothing against the pockets, there’s only so much they can carry. Getting other people to carry it for you seems like something other than the way to go about it too. Here’s a crazy idea— get yourself a bag. (I know, surprising!).
Bags for men are having a moment. Practicality aside, good bags single-handedly amp up any outfit. Case in point: Jacob Elordi. Unless you live under a rock, you must know Jacob Elordi’s oh-so-beautiful It-bag collection. He has been carrying the coolest bags-Bottega Veneta Padded Cassette Bag, Celine messenger bag, Valentino Locò Bag, Fendi baguette, and Burberry Olympia Bag to name a few. He is becoming the It Boy of fashion, and his impeccable collection of bags might have had a role to play.
While people still have reservations towards men carrying bags, a mainstream Hollywood actor like him carrying all these cute bags should only normalize the idea more. All the men reading this, it’s about time you took a cue from Jacob, and started embracing bags more. And no, your backpack doesn’t count. And when we ask you to see beyond backpacks, we don’t only mean duffel bags and fanny packs. We’re talking about cute top-handle bags, crossbody bags, baguettes, tote bags, and even clutches!
If history is anything to go by, men’s bags have always been a thing. Before pockets were invented, men used to wear Girdle pouches (a small pouch attached to a belt) in ancient times. With the introduction of pockets in the Renaissance Era, the need for these pouches diminished.
Clearly, over the years, we stopped seeing bags as an accessory that can be worn by men as well. And what’s more, men wearing bags began to be seen as feminine or unusual.
Who can forget the Friends episode where Rachel gives Joey a shoulder bag? While Joey loves it, Chandler and Ross make jokes about how feminine he looks. Rachel later tells Joey, “I don’t think the world is ready for you and your bag.” Clearly, Joey was way ahead of his time given that it’s cool now. Ross, Chandler, who’s laughing now?
Thankfully, we are evolving as a society and bags are no longer seen as an accessory for women or metrosexual men. In today’s scenario, men carrying bags are no longer seen as unusual, but chic. This transcension of the realms of preconceived ideas for men’s fashion can be attributed to the rise of gender-fluid fashion. Mind you, gender fluidity in fashion is not just a fad, it’s here to stay.
So men—do yourself a favour, and get on the bandwagon of carrying bags. You might just be surprised at how easy (and stylish) it’ll make your life.
Creative Direction & Styling: Palak Valecha, Photographer: Harmeet Singh Sana, Hair and Make-Up: Levo Spalon, Production Editor: Neha Ahuja, Location courtesy: Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, Noida.
With an experience of 4 years as an editorial fashion stylist, Palak Valecha is the Senior Stylist and Fashion Writer for Manifest. Apart from having an immense penchant for Alexander McQueen, she derives her sanity from buying more books than she can read. View Profile
