Bags for men! Please feel free to comment on my Idea for a brand!

Dear all,

I'm new here, my name is Tom, 22 and I'm a fashion & branding graduate from the Netherlands. I started this thread because I believe that we men have limited choice in bags right now and because I think it is time for some more daring design and use of materials.I am starting a brand for for fashion forward men. This trend in bags is definitely out there and I would like to know your opinion, please comment on what I found below!!

What's out there and what's missing?

The more exclusive brands (Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Lanvin) are already showing us models like purses, waist pouches, smaller handbags and a variety of lap-top / I-pad cases. But material-wise it's still on the safe side.
Brands in the mid segment, let's say 250 to 500 euro's, are not tapping into this new trend at all yet.



But men are definitely ready for some newness in accessories. Why?

1.They are becoming more stylish and groomed.
because:
- They are experiencing the benefit of looking good and stylish in doing business. In many branches formal wear is not compulsory and more of an own style is required. Making use of avant garde accessories is definitely a way to distinguish.

- With H&M, Zara, and others producing 15 styles at the same time it is fun and affordable for everyone to look good and experiment/discover their style.

- The men's grooming market has doubled the last few years. It's no taboo to put on face cream anymore, or having your own face scrub. a lot more is permitted.

2. They dare to experiment more and more with their appearance.
Because:

- Due to fading role models between sexes, men are not so much afraid of experimenting with clothes and accessories anymore.

This social trend also appears on the catwalk. Where men used to be skinny on the catwalk, their bodies now appear to be between toned and buff. In garments and accessories feminine elements come forth like deep necklines, flare pants, body hugging tops, high waists, knee length boots **and most important to me purses waist pouches and more. The model's physique dominates these features however.

- Due to the merging of cultures in urban environments, the level of acceptance towards foreign habits and ways of dressing rises. We are less afraid.

My question to you guys!

What are your thoughts on this idea? Are we indeed ready for more daring design? why?

Dearest greetings,

Tom

Dear Tom,

Good luck in Europe. Your brand will never sell in the USA, where until a few years ago, even *messenger bags* "looked gay" to a large part of the male population. Purses and other more experimental bags for men have an extremely limited market in the US: basically a couple dozen (at most) sons of millionaires and billionaires who live in NYC and LA. That said, walking around with most of the bags in your pictures would certainly get you beaten up in most American cities and probably taunted/harassed even in NYC.

You mention grooming, but look at how men's grooming is branded. Look at the labels: neutral, masculine, simple, clean, "it works". Men can use face scrubs in the privacy of their own home. But carrying a purse down the street invites judgment and criticism by, well, everyone who sees you.

Look at some bag makers who've had success in the US: Jack Spade, John Varvatos accessories. They go the opposite of what you're talking about-- they keep it masculine. And when they do take risks or chances in design, they make sure to ground those design elements in historical menswear (stripes, plaid, madras, etc).

I think this is actually pretty interesting, but this market is not as empty as you think; many Japanese brands are producing interesting bags. PM me if you'd like me to show you some brands.

I love this idea, but at the same time I agree with Sebastian in that this is almost exclusively for the European (and I suppose Asian as well) market. Most American men are too preoccupied with their masculinity to venture out into this deep end. I feel that if this trend becomes big in Europe, we could see it diffuse across the pond over time, eventually making its way to the US in 10 or so years. That seems to work historically with various other trends like messengers, cuffed pants, and v-necks. I say you should go and have fun with it!

I feel like the percentage of men that are actively looking for a way to stand out by the bag they wear is extremely. Guys might be gaining some of the characteristics you mentioned, but I still feel that they want to fly under the radar more than woman. I think the market is saturated with bags that I would buy if I were in the market, but maybe I am just lest adventurous then others.

First off, I really want to compliment you on the research you put into this project. The information you put together came across as professional and im sure you will do well.
That being said, the chance to make any money off avant garde mens bags seems pretty slim. As you said many high end labels already have some bags for men in their lineup, which would be the primary clientel for any "man purse" =P
The way the general ebb and flow of menswear goes, It would take another decade for any man in the "mid market" to consider any sort of avant garde bag. At least in the U.S.

With all that in mind, having a personal project to make avant garde man bags would be a great way to distinguish yourself as a designer, but a poor way to make money.

best of luck!

ITT: americans think they are the be-all, end-all



Uncontrol said:

ITT: americans think they are the be-all, end-all

Click to expand...

I dont think the Canadians would be that into man purses either.

I just think it's absurd, this dude never even mentioned the US, he's from the Netherlands. All everyone is saying is, "oh,well, MEN aren't that outgoing and don't want weird bags" but doesn't that kind of thinking discount the countless designers out there who are making a living selling "weird" clothing to men? There's definitely markets that would be receptive to such a thing, even if the US is not one of them. I think in Asia and Europe there's potential for a brand like this.

now that we have so much gadgets available to us like Ipads, Iphones, nooks, and other everyday carries, we absolutely need a nice bag to carry all these things when we go out.

which market are you planning to target, mid, high-end? and when you say daring design, what do you mean by that?

I think when we all refer to "in the U.S." we are merely refrencing our own point of view and experiences. Since i dont live in France or England, im not going to speak on their experiences or tastes, nor am I going to pretend that I know what they want.
I think your confusing a respect for the limits of our own knowledge for blatant nationalism, which I agree with you, is a terrible thing to base a business decision off of.
Id like to hear non North American members views on the midmarket murse

the clutches look too feminine the rest is okay
the ones with a loop to hold, were somewhat popular in the 80s here



bkstone said:

I don't know about the market in Europe, but not many men in the USA (well heterosexual men) are going to buy man-bags any time soon.

Click to expand...

thanks for your invaluable feedback

I've been casually looking for a bag for sometime now and I've yet to find one that's the right size. They're either too small, like the gucci shoulder bag, or too large so that they're awkward to carry around. It would be especially nice to have a bag when travelling....Something just big enough to so I can fit my camera, sunglasses, water bottle and not scream tourist.

Dear all,

Thanks for all the effort you've been putting into this so far. I'll try to comment on these posts in a structured manner(A)(A).

The brand I am creating will be sold in Europe indeed and not in the USA. (I don't know enough of the USA to brand everything the right way)
And yes I am aiming at a niche market of avant garde young (mostly European and Asian) guys (I found many on fashion forums) who are a figure head to the early adopters, people who read their blogs for instance . Take a look at: ilikemystyle.com where people photograph their outfit and comment on those of others. Is there a website comparable to this in the USA btw?
The price-segment is still hard to choose for me, it will come later on. Look at these guys, they aren't afraid of purses: