4 ms·

One strap shoulder Man-bags are all the rage. They are pretty practical, especially when you can’t fit your checkbook-sized wallet in tiny pockets. But in the U

by wyclif 6y ago

One strap shoulder Man-bags are all the rage. They are pretty practical, especially when you can’t fit your checkbook-sized wallet in tiny pockets. But in the US it looks like you’re wearing a fanny pack. Especially true in SE Asia. I resisted the trend because it looks effeminate, like you're wearing a purse. Asian guys love them because they're super practical if you ride a motorbike or scooter tandem style. I think it works better for more masculine types to go for a bigger bag. I have a black Crumpler bicycle messenger bag (not super big, just a normal-sized bike messenger bag) and it works great for me down here.

bgeeek 6y ago
Not effeminate at all. Look up reporter bags, smaller than a messenger bag. Classy, not effeminate. Mostly older men wear them in the UK (I’m on my third) whereas the younger men wear cross-body sports-type bags. Most majors make them. I can completely under the rise because of the increase in phone size. Phone + wallet + headphones + tissues, sanitizers, and a mini Fulton umbrella. Then I’m set :)
- wyclif 6y ago
  Well, I know what a reporter bag is but that's not what I'm talking about. I didn't describe it very well. Usually they're "fanny pack" size, but with a shoulder strap. Very popular in the Philippines, for instance. Not worn so much as a fashion statement, but more as an anti-theft contingency when travelling in crowded spaces or public transportation because they are small enough to swing around and wear the bag across your chest.
  - bgeeek 6y ago
    I think I know what you mean - the cross-body bags. Do they run diagonal with the bag somewhere across the chest? They're popular among teenage males in the UK these days.
KLexpat 6y ago
as an expat living in SE Asia (KL) I think it is because masculinity is not defined by ones clothing here. I mean, you are a masculine he-man if you have a good business, if you have big family, but the clothes you wear are no more about your masculinity than your phone wallpaper is. This is probably also because so many clothes are made here, its demystified.
- angled 6y ago
  A bit late to the party and almost apropos a separate topic, but Hong Kong billionaire Jimmy Lai rocks Addidas trackies with a shirt and sports jacket: https://www.abc.net.au/cm/rimage/12541694-3x2-xlarge.jpg https://www.abc.net.au/cm/rimage/12541694-3x2-xlarge.jpg (via https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-10/why-chinas-arrest-of-hong-kongs-jimmy-lai-is-important/12541550 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-10/why-chinas-arrest-of-...)
j7ake 6y ago
I think the one strap shoulder bag also is more comfortable when it is extremely hot and humid: a backpack would make your entire back soaked in sweat.
- wyclif 6y ago
  Yes! I'm in the Philippines and I can't bear to wear a backpack down here at sea level, in the tropics...maybe in the mountains, but not for everyday use.
foldr 6y ago
> I resisted the trend because it looks effeminate To be honest, it seems that in the most of US, merely being stylish is perceived as "effeminate" (for a man).
- piva00 6y ago
  Not only in the US, that is pretty typical for the whole American continent, even worse in Latin America as it's seen as a "gay" trait to be into fashion. As a straight man who is into fashion for quite a few years now and who moved out of Brazil to Sweden: that culture is pretty stupid, I feel so much better and more myself when I'm able to express my personality with my clothes without the fear of being judged by someone's else prejudice... Even better that it's a common thing in Western Europe for people to be more fashionable. I've bought some pieces that are pretty bold, I love some avant-garde male fashion pieces and being able to wear that without people batting an eye (and even getting random compliments) makes me feel pretty good, hope the Americas can get to this point because it's a very toxic masculinity trait for a whole continent to have and perpetuate.
  - kristofferR 6y ago
    Is it very different in Sweden than the Americas? I'm a Norwegian guy, and I love how tolerant we turned weirdly quickly. Even the anti-abortion Christian™ Party walks in the Pride parade now. Frankly I think most people here would still think of the random guy in a dress as non-straight, but since "nobody" cares about that here anymore, nobody cares about clothing in a negative way either.
    - foldr 6y ago
      A guy in a dress seems like a strange example. Outside of drag, it's not common to see guys wearing dresses (gay or straight).

by wyclif 6y ago

bgeeek 6y ago

Not effeminate at all. Look up reporter bags, smaller than a messenger bag. Classy, not effeminate. Mostly older men wear them in the UK (I’m on my third) whereas the younger men wear cross-body sports-type bags. Most majors make them. I can completely under the rise because of the increase in phone size. Phone + wallet + headphones + tissues, sanitizers, and a mini Fulton umbrella. Then I’m set :)

wyclif 6y ago
Well, I know what a reporter bag is but that's not what I'm talking about. I didn't describe it very well. Usually they're "fanny pack" size, but with a shoulder strap. Very popular in the Philippines, for instance. Not worn so much as a fashion statement, but more as an anti-theft contingency when travelling in crowded spaces or public transportation because they are small enough to swing around and wear the bag across your chest.
- bgeeek 6y ago
  I think I know what you mean - the cross-body bags. Do they run diagonal with the bag somewhere across the chest? They're popular among teenage males in the UK these days.

KLexpat 6y ago

as an expat living in SE Asia (KL) I think it is because masculinity is not defined by ones clothing here. I mean, you are a masculine he-man if you have a good business, if you have big family, but the clothes you wear are no more about your masculinity than your phone wallpaper is. This is probably also because so many clothes are made here, its demystified.

angled 6y ago
A bit late to the party and almost apropos a separate topic, but Hong Kong billionaire Jimmy Lai rocks Addidas trackies with a shirt and sports jacket: https://www.abc.net.au/cm/rimage/12541694-3x2-xlarge.jpg https://www.abc.net.au/cm/rimage/12541694-3x2-xlarge.jpg (via https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-10/why-chinas-arrest-of-hong-kongs-jimmy-lai-is-important/12541550 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-10/why-chinas-arrest-of-...)

j7ake 6y ago

I think the one strap shoulder bag also is more comfortable when it is extremely hot and humid: a backpack would make your entire back soaked in sweat.

wyclif 6y ago
Yes! I'm in the Philippines and I can't bear to wear a backpack down here at sea level, in the tropics...maybe in the mountains, but not for everyday use.

foldr 6y ago

> I resisted the trend because it looks effeminate To be honest, it seems that in the most of US, merely being stylish is perceived as "effeminate" (for a man).

piva00 6y ago
Not only in the US, that is pretty typical for the whole American continent, even worse in Latin America as it's seen as a "gay" trait to be into fashion. As a straight man who is into fashion for quite a few years now and who moved out of Brazil to Sweden: that culture is pretty stupid, I feel so much better and more myself when I'm able to express my personality with my clothes without the fear of being judged by someone's else prejudice... Even better that it's a common thing in Western Europe for people to be more fashionable. I've bought some pieces that are pretty bold, I love some avant-garde male fashion pieces and being able to wear that without people batting an eye (and even getting random compliments) makes me feel pretty good, hope the Americas can get to this point because it's a very toxic masculinity trait for a whole continent to have and perpetuate.
- kristofferR 6y ago
  Is it very different in Sweden than the Americas? I'm a Norwegian guy, and I love how tolerant we turned weirdly quickly. Even the anti-abortion Christian™ Party walks in the Pride parade now. Frankly I think most people here would still think of the random guy in a dress as non-straight, but since "nobody" cares about that here anymore, nobody cares about clothing in a negative way either.
  - foldr 6y ago
    A guy in a dress seems like a strange example. Outside of drag, it's not common to see guys wearing dresses (gay or straight).