Help with messenger bags...

Heh.. the dreaded 'man purse', as seen on seinfeld, is actually called a clutch bag (i think). I don't think you have all that much to worry about if you're thinking about getting a messenger bag. It's probably just in your head. I've got a black nylon prada messenger bag and nobody really cares that I do. The only times it ever comes up is odd time that I've made self-depreciating jokes about "my purse" at work and everyone gets a laugh. It's actually pretty hard to find a nice black messenger bag. I looked around and the prada one I ended up buying is the one I liked best (although I wouldn't pay full retail for it). It's not too big and not too small. I can get a couple textbooks in to it and it has a couple of exterior pockets to put my calculator and pencils, etc. I would stay away from patterns like the one you linked to. Patterns on bags are for women and their purses or luggage (at least in my opinion). I wouldn't go with anything other than plain black since I would assume you're only going to have one bag. If you start matching your purse, er... I mean messenger bag, to your outfit, then you will get the comments you're dreading.

Foxx, I immediately thought of Ebay since you pointed out some great suits on Ebay for me in a previous thread. I found this Jack Spade black canvas messenger bag: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....y=15660 But the best thing is that the seller is "authentic*purses". Seriously, I like that gray window pane messenger bag you linked to. It is certainly what I would call a manly color. In fact it looks like a gray window pane patterned suit. Nonetheless, it is patterned and GQgeek might be right that any pattern makes it look like a woman's bag. I don't think it looks anything like a man-purse though. I do like it but I just can't be sure of how it would look when carried. Here's another one for $90 at eBags: http://www.ebags.com/Jack_Sp....e_id=25 Scott

I vaguely remember there was a huge thread on this very topic a few months back, lots of pix were posted - might be worth a search.

The Jack Spade ones do not look like they warrant such a high price tag. LongChamp makes some very nice, sleek messenger bags. www.longchamp.com. Not sure of your location but Saks carries them, and in NYC there is a LongChamp store. Saks currently features a leather/nylon one: http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main....KSLOT=3 Ro also makes some nices ones as well. I've seen them at Bloomingdale's and Saks. Barneys New York House Label also carries a very good selection of bags. Check out www.barneys.com they have a few on the site.

I find that leather or calfskin John Varvatos bags are terrific; and it's highly unlikely that anyone would mistake them for being feminine. Unfortunately, they are also quite expensive. I like the windowpane wool Jack Spade number. Don't go the all black, laptop case route, which is neither here (dressy and elegant) nor there (casual and cool.)

That Jack Spade is rather a nice, and practical item. But then personally I feel that is a bit staid, and somewhat not that unique. It has the feel of Kate Spade bags which coincedentally is Jack's husband, and David Spade is their brother in law. But there is nothing feminine about them. It's just that I've never like Kate Spade i the first place also. Longchamp I find nice, and I also have a rectangular messenger bag in their Veau Foulonne which I find a bit too small. However I would recommend Alfred Dunhill. The unfortunate thing is theIr price is quite high as it is with designer goods. Personally I have owned two Dunhill bags, and both I've been happ with. One I actually sold on eBay because the style doesn't suit me now. The other is a black cowhide with an "intrique" lock on the front, and a shoulder strap. Quite pleasing to the eye.

I don't really like a lot of messenger bags because (a) they tend to look a little sloppy, including some of the Jack Spades and Pradas, and (b) the strap, which is usually just nylon cordura and tends to clash with decent clothing -- too much outdoor wear or cheap luggage look. Ones I've seen in the past couple of years that I've liked were the Bally bags and a purse company called Rafe that makes nice looking men's bags. Another direction to go (and the one I went after being convinced by a salesman), is to get a flight bag. Mine is by Lambertson-Truex and big enough for a legal pad and documents as well as pouches for PDA, phone, etc. It's not as large as a traditional messenger bag and, therefore, a little less obtrusive. The shape is more up-down rather than side-to-side. The Bally bags often take this shape as well. Just a thought for you.

Actually, it's Andy Spade that is Kate's husband. The product line is just called Jack Spade. Also I think they named the woman's line Kate Spade before they were married by combining her first name and his last. I guess that worked out since that is now her actual name. Anyway this is the Jack Spade bag I like: http://www.jackspade.com/warrenst/brief02/index.html Don't know if it is worth the price though. Scott

Just to explain my thought a little better, here's the current Lambertson-Truex men's flight bag: http://www.lambertsontruex.com/galle...product=000000 Edit: It's the upper left bag on the link provided (the link doesn't go to only that particular bag). Best of luck.

Does anyone have experinence with timbuk2 messenger bags. I have looked at them for some time as a casual change from better made expensive leather and twill bags. Check out their web page www.timbuk2.com and the program to custom make a bag. Your thoughts please.

A lot of bicycle enthusiasts like Timbuk2. Durable and sporty. I like the Jack Spade bag, looks very elegant and simple. A couple of others to look at: Danish Book Bag This is one of the original messenger bags (before the name was coined). and: Style249 Excellent quality and unique, soft leather. They have boutiques in New York and Beverly Hills. Good wallets and small leather goods also...

Sorry, second link didn't work. Check out Il Bisonte. They have a briefcase that has a messenger bag look, Style249. Expensive however.. [url=http://www.ilbisonte.com/briefcases.html]

I've been wanting this one for awhile, but I can't afford it: http://www.bluefly.com/pages....0968930 Maybe one of you guys can