Man Bags, Murses, Messengers, etc.

It is not a big shock to anyone who flips through a men's fashion magazine that any given page would show a man carrying an oversized bag with anything but gym clothes. These days, laptops, day planners, gloves, your blackberry, wallet and keys can all be stored securely in what has been called a man bag.

I hate to admit it, Gentlemen, but we are moving forward into the era of practicality, where men can place all personal belongings that don't fit in a pocket into a sac that doesn't scream, "I bought this bag at North Face or I purchased this at the local Army Surplus". Men should feel comfortable enough to carry any bag around without being ridiculed. Who says women are the only ones who need a bag to place all their personal belongings. And to think that we had pockets stuffed with change, chapstick, keys, cellphones, wallets, etc. It's not wonder that many guys face challenges when meeting women. Cargo pockets are even a bad idea. I know, I know, they are called utility pants for a reason, but these days, those pockets are more for show.

So, the idea behind a man bag is to simply introduce innovative and stylistic ways of presenting yourself. Does it look girly? The answer is NO! For years, men have been carrying duffel bags, gym bags, briefcases and messenger bags. How is a man bag any different? It serves a very practical purpose and gives more options to a very "option-obsessed" culture upon which we live in. The femininity of a man bag is no different from a well-polished leather briefcase. In fact, a man bag can help you organize your day: you have cereal bars and power bars for breakfast and working out, your laptop, planner, portfolio and wallet can all fit in as well, a mini pouch with a change of clothes can give you the option of hitting the gym after a meeting, and a small snack of fruit and a sandwich can be tossed in for extra energy throughout the day. Need I say more?

So which bag should you opt for? For a smaller day, plan to carry less items and throw on a messenger bag. This way, you will not have to carry unnecessary items and still have room for items to put in later on in the day. For any regular day, a hand held or a bigger messenger bag will do. This will allow for you to place extra items in the bag so that you don't have to make extra trips back home and instead, able you to take care of all your errands and activities in one go. For a full day, make sure you have a mini duffel-like bag to store everything you need. This may include an extra set of clothes, just in case you don't end up going home fore the night. With this option, you will be able to pack a small travel hygiene kit, underwear, socks, pants and a shirt along with your everyday files, papers, and gadgets.

In terms of the material of any man bag, the safest route to take is always the leather bag. This will always be considered a classic and no person in their right mind will mistake a solid black, brown or dark green leather for a women's purse, whether it's polished, plain, distressed or suede. Canvas is also a safe bet. This fabric has always been gender-neutral and, when worn correctly, can scream rugged and masculine while avoiding a rustic, soldier-esque appearance.

All in all, the final decision is in your hands. You can make the effort to make a change and solidify a reputation as an individual who, not only pioneers in innovative fashion trends, but can be the guy who is nothing but a distinguishly-refined, well-presented, talently-organized and intoxicatingly-sophisticated young gentleman. It's a bag people, not a sex change!