I've run into a sudden interest for a satchel/messenger type bag. I think it'd be useful at times and I think it's awesome because it's made of leather. My sisters and SO agree that it's girly and that they do not approve. People who know me say many things like it's okay, it can work, use whatever you want it's your life (all girls) and then a guy who is like giving everyone a hard time (he's a funny guy) said he wouldn't care if I had a "man purse". Another guy said a camera bag (he's a photographer) and the other two guys who said they use something are both gay.

I even asked around here in the chat and it was agreed that it's something that isn't very manly. What the hell? I care too much about general opinion, not necessarily looking gay, but the hard time I'll get until it gets old for them and the hard time I might get from anyone else.

I've never thought of - or seen - the Chrome/Timbuk2  Messenger bags as effeminate (unless you got yours in hot pink with lavender trim)

I have an old leather back-pack that I used to haul around everywhere... I always thought it was the mostdamnmasculineindianajonesthing that ever existed...

I still love it!

(but dang if I haven't seen it in a while...  )

Go for it!

At least where I live, it would seem "girly". I don't recall seeing men carry things like that. They might have a back pack like thing if they have a ton of stuff?

I don't think there's anything girly about carrying a bag, it just depends on the bag. A leather satchel or messenger bag sounds just fine.

My (straight) boyfriend carries this bag pretty much everywhere:



and it doesn't look effeminate at all on him. (That's not him in the picture I don't think, but it looks a heck of a lot like him. xD) He carries a bag more than I do, and still looks way more masculine than me.

Quote from: tekla on October 16, 2012, 10:33:42 AM
I've never thought of - or seen - the Chrome/Timbuk2  Messenger bags as effeminate (unless you got yours in hot pink with lavender trim)

I was going to suggest these too. I carry a Chrome bag and I highly recommend them. They're rather expensive, but rugged and sturdy, and very androgynous leaning toward masculine.

If you haven't had top surgery, though, you might want to avoid straps that cut across your chest; it can accentuate whatever curves you have. Chrome bags sit pretty high on your chest and I remember mine actually helping flatten me while I was binding; however, messenger bags that hang down further can have straps that sit right in the middle of your chest and emphasize it.

The only reson I don't carry a satchel/messenger bag, is that I'm clumsy (will get straps caught on stuff, knock things over etc), and that I need to mind my back. I see plenty of guys with them, and never thought of it as effeminate in any way.

Quote from: Cain on October 16, 2012, 12:19:01 PM
I don't think there's anything girly about carrying a bag, it just depends on the bag. A leather satchel or messenger bag sounds just fine.

My (straight) boyfriend carries this bag pretty much everywhere:



and it doesn't look effeminate at all on him. (That's not him in the picture I don't think, but it looks a heck of a lot like him. xD) He carries a bag more than I do, and still looks way more masculine than me.

I was going to suggest these too. I carry a Chrome bag and I highly recommend them. They're rather expensive, but rugged and sturdy, and very androgynous leaning toward masculine.

If you haven't had top surgery, though, you might want to avoid straps that cut across your chest; it can accentuate whatever curves you have. Chrome bags sit pretty high on your chest and I remember mine actually helping flatten me while I was binding; however, messenger bags that hang down further can have straps that sit right in the middle of your chest and emphasize it.

What kind of bag is this one?

Quote from: Cain on October 16, 2012, 12:19:01 PM
I don't think there's anything girly about carrying a bag, it just depends on the bag. A leather satchel or messenger bag sounds just fine.

My (straight) boyfriend carries this bag pretty much everywhere:



and it doesn't look effeminate at all on him.

I would call that a back pack look. And you are right, that doesn't look fem at all.

bags like these do look fem

http://www.wired.com/reviews/2009/08/pr_messengerbags/

so it depends on the style.

  I was just thinking about this yesterday!  Still in guy-mode but I would like a unisex bag that is just large enough for a netbook.  I have seen some very simple messenger-style bags worn equally by men and women of all stripes and I think this would be my style when presenting either way.  Use of these in Toronto is widespread enough that I don't think anyone would question it on me.

Quote from: Cyndigurl45 on October 16, 2012, 12:33:32 PM
What kind of bag is this one?

I've seen similar messenger bags, and similar backpacks. I guess it's kind of a hybrid. This specific bag came with a collector's-edition video game.

I've had two Timbuk2 bags now for over 12 years (one the everyday, the other 'the weekender').  I ride my bike everywhere, and use them day in and day out.  And I'm absolutely brutal on everything I own (I trashed a MillSpec phone in 5 years, made to survive combat, but not Kat) and they are both in excellent shape.  I really am loathe to recommend anything ever, but I have to say that they were worth every penny and performed well above expectations.

And they are both black/gray, so pretty butch.

And you can get them made to order in a bunch of sizes, with different internal stuff, (including padded computer sleeves) and colors/fabrics/textures.
http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/custom

Thanks everyone.

Yeah, those are backpacks and they are pretty much the option that I was provided by those who oppposed the messenger/satchel bag.

I would like to go on without someone calling my bag a murse, man bag, man purse. It's a bag. Period.

I think this is where I should show everyone the exact bag I want and the only thing I plan on getting. I appreciate the references to these other bags, but once I saw this one I knew that I was going to have as soon as I had the money saved up.

Website view: http://www.saddlebackleather.com/Classic-Satchel?sc=8&category=1288

Picture of bag in color I want from someone else: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4389800392_b04ed3711d.jpg

The website has a video and you can see how it sits when it's worn within the first 10 seconds. I'm looking into a medium (one he's wearing) or the large (the light colored one).

Hmmm, I think the difference is that guys usually go out carrying bags for a specific reason for where they're going?

Like backpacks for school or for going hiking or something. Or briefcases for work or laptop bags when they're bringing their laptop somewhere etc.

So I think the question is more about where you want to bring your bag than whether you have a bag or not. The bag you posted is good for businessy things probably.  At least it would look weird if you walked around with that bag in a hoodie and headphones or something lol.

Outside of work and sports things most guys seem to carry mostly backpacks when they go somewhere and they need to bring a lot of stuff. Other than that they put it all in their pockets! Lol I don't understand that at all though.

I've been using this one for around five years:



The strap is set so that it falls at hip level, accquiring a blue tint after years of using it with jeans. When I bought it I was incredibly worried about it being "girly", or whatever. The first thing I was called when I showed it was "pijo" (fashion snob?). Looks like Privata was a "pijo" during the eighties, so I had no clue. The first thing I was told at work was "Cool bag, bro". The form is kinda similar to the one Indy carries in the movies (which you can get from Whatprizeglory).


I rarely leave home without it, the only things I put in my pockets are the keys and wallet. I've been considering swapping it for a messenger bag, or something similar where I can fit a DSLR camera.


PS: Notice the lapel pin? A small way of saying "I don't give a sh*t about what people think anymore".

PS2: The only backpack I use is the one for the camera, when I need to move with the complete equipment. They make me sweat a bit too much.

I like the one you picked.  Looks very lawyer or academic. 

Thanks Tekla.

As for use, I just want it for whatever. I would mainly use it for school and work since those are the only places I ever take more than a wallet and my keys. I would also be the type to be in jeans, a T-shirt, and a hoodie while using this bag.

I live in Orange County, CA, which is conservative, but it's close enough to Los Angeles haha I don't think things like this raise brows here in CA, but I think it can lump you right into the "gay"/"metro" category.

Well, considering that briefcases are glorified purses and that I carry a backpack, just a very efficient purse, everywhere... I'd say no. A bag doesn't make a guy gay. A guy being turned on by only other guys makes him gay. 

As for effeminate. Let's see.... Every businessman with a PERFECTLY GROOMED face//hair, clean nails, a pressed//fashionable suit, and a briefcase (basically a shiny and hard purse)... you tell me. 

I love the way you think, DianaP. If only the world would break it down like that. 

Well, I appreciate the sentiment. I just really don't like these girly men society is raising today. Is it so wrong that I just want my men to be men? (I know it's ironic coming from someone like me, but I don't care  )

Also, just call me Diana. The P was only added because Diana was already taken.   

Nope. I use a messenger or shoulder bag pretty much all the time since I walk everywhere. Besides, in Japan the men here carry fanny packs strapped across their chests. And I have seen plenty of 20-somethings with some designer purse - couldn't tell you which one, since I know nothing about designers stuff, just that it looked like the kind of thing that would cost about million dollars because it had a letter on it or something.

As long as you aren't carrying a bright pink monster handbag like my Aunt does, you should be fine. Messenger bags and shoulder bags are pretty common among everyone.