Guys carrying a tote bag, ok or not? - Page 4

The OP reminds me of this dichotomy:

Gay lumberjacks, gay cowboys..what matters is how the wood is carried.

Hmm I can only answer this question for myself..

When I leave my place for the day without the intention of returning for many hours (either to go to work, or not), I often want to have any or all of the following items with me:

laptop
cigarette case + lighter
newspaper and/or book
mobile phone
ipod + headphones
Altoids mints
keys
wallet and coins
Purell hand sanitizer
sunglasses


Even when omitting the laptop, can you advise how exactly one is supposed to carry all that shit in pockets?

Carry a backpack like a schoolkid? No.
Cargo pants? Hideous. Not an option.

Btw are you living in a redneck area or something?

It's not about sexual orientation, it is about confidence...if you lack it, you won't pull it off. In other words, if you doubt yourself, don't do it. The bag looks fine.

This thread delivers.

had a nice visual the other week seeing a vintage car go by with a strapped beat up brown leather vintage duffelbag on the boot (trunk).

This.

Nice visual. A terrific look on a classic car.

People who wore pink and red trousers all summer find tote bags ghey

Think about it, seriously. What is a tote? It's basically a large-format briefcase with an open top instead of a flap or clasp closure and larger straps/handles, though they don't all have long straps for use as a shoulder bag. I just really don't get the "they aren't manly" thing. You could also find some very poofty briefcases and duffle bags, too. But, in and of itself, there is nothing wrong with a tote. It fits a specific need: briefcases are generally smaller, designed to carry documents. A weekender/duffle, on the other hand, is generally too large, as it is designed as a piece of luggage. A tote splits the difference, making it easy if you carry books, notebooks, a laptop, etc. A 16X14 inch tote with about a six inch drop on the handles is the way to go, IMHO. What is "feminine" about something like this?

I have a Filson zippered tote and use it constantly. I've jammed carpenter tools in it to a bunch of fishing junk to the laptop and camera setup. It's a nice generic catchall. There's nothing ghey about it. I live in downtown Redneck City and nobody even pays attention to it other than to comment that it's a cool bag.

It's all about how you conduct yourself, nothing more.

i just sputtered out my drink.

Just size up and get a messenger bag and be done with it. Plenty of manliness and it looks like you got shit to do and places to go.

I personally would never carry a tote. Seems very feminine to me.

I'm sure a lot of people think this way, so as long as you look the part, go with it.

Quite feminine.