Where is His Bag? The Future of Men’s Bags
The Gender Gap in Everyday Carry
Fendi Fall/Winter 2024. Courtesy of Fendi
It’s a familiar scene: the person next to a man ends up carrying his wallet, his keys, and his hopes and dreams. He walks beside with empty hands and bulging pockets because of his phone. You’ve seen the meme. Maybe you’ve lived the meme. Like most good jokes, it’s funny because it’s true, but what might seem like a small habit actually reveals a gap in fashion culture and function. Men’s wardrobes have come a long way, yet the everyday bag is still missing. While womenswear has long integrated bags into daily life for both fashion and practical reasons, men remain oddly under-equipped. Exceptions can be found in cities like Tokyo and Seoul, where stylish and practical bags for men are the norm. Men there wear crossbodies, slings, and totes without a second thought. In many Western cities, men move with phones in hand and pockets at capacity. So where is his bag, and what’s stopping the rest of the world from catching up?
Part of the problem is what is on offer. Men’s bags often fall into just three categories: the office-ready briefcase, the overly utilitarian backpack, or the ultra-high-fashion designer piece. There is rarely a middle ground — something practical yet versatile, stylish without looking like you are heading to a board meeting or a mountain hike, and easy to carry around.
Men carrying bags is not a radical new concept. For centuries, men carried bags, but somewhere along the way the habit was lost. A bag became coded as feminine for unclear reasons. Today, many men see it as “too extra” or “unnecessary,” even as their clothing design is impractical and pockets fail to keep up with the demands of modern life. The stigma is subtle but powerful. A bag can be perceived as a statement not just about style but about gender, identity, class, and values.
Looking East, Asia provides a fashion-forward example because in parts of the region this stigma does not exist. Walk through Shibuya in Tokyo or Hongdae in Seoul, and you will see men wearing sleek crossbodies, leather totes, and compact sling bags. These are not treated as accessories but as essentials. They are thoughtfully designed to integrate into outfits and fully embraced. The key is that they are not “for women” or “for fashion.” They are for life. They are functional but also elevate the look in a way that feels deliberate and confident.
That is where the opportunity lies. There is a huge market gap waiting to be filled. The men’s bag of the future will be minimalist and intuitive, with compartments and tech sleeves that make sense for how people actually live. It will be built to last from high-quality materials that age well, such as canvas, leather, or recycled fabrics, which look as good five years in as they did on day one. It will be neutral enough to pair with everything, not aggressively masculine or chasing fleeting trends. Just smart and adaptable. Perhaps most importantly, it will be marketed in a way that makes carrying a bag feel as normal as wearing a watch or jacket. A bag should not be a luxury or a gender conversation; it should simply be a tool for self-sufficiency, independence, and preparedness.
We need to rethink what everyday carry means and make space for men to carry their own weight, literally. Masculinity is evolving, so men’s bags should evolve with it. It is time for the fashion industry and men themselves to step up and claim their space and their bags. Everyone deserves the right to carry what matters to them.