The Definitive MANBAG Thread Part I: 2009-2014

Originally Posted by Deluks917

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What size/style do you recommend?

I have the 02. It is just about the right size. I was able to fit in a laptop, powerpack, notebooks plus 2 or 3 textbooks in there.

Handles, I detest messenger straps.

Originally Posted by rach2jlc

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Tusting

Corsia
Tusting still makes great, classic looking bags out of England.

Any thoughts on the general quality of Corsia's bags?

RRL ($400 - $200) RRL leather bags are made by Hollywood Trading Company in Los Angeles or are true vintage bags. The quality is incredible, and the look is very Americana. They are extremely expensive.

You have a typo in there.

Originally Posted by robin

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Tusting still makes great, classic looking bags out of England. Any thoughts on the general quality of Corsia's bags?
My experience with Corsia is pretty limited, but I've been less than impressed with the quality, finish, and hardware. The styles can be pretty neat, but the rest seems cheap (though not pricewise). I'm hoping to find some more this summer in Tokyo, so I can give a better report.

Originally Posted by Teger

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RRL ($400 - $200) RRL leather bags are made by Hollywood Trading Company in Los Angeles or are true vintage bags. The quality is incredible, and the look is very Americana. They are extremely expensive.
I agree the quality might be good but I've been less than impressed with some of the styles, which have all those weird patches, RRL plastered everywhere, and can sometimes be quite ugly. Pricing, as you mentioned, is certainly superlative; a canvas messenger for $500-700, or a duffle for $1500.

Originally Posted by triniboy27

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Rach - I'm considering getting this bag for the summer:

What're your thoughts and can you recommend any alternatives?

I was thinking about this one for casual, holiday use but it was a bit bigger than expected and the straps are slightly too short to comfortably wear over the shoulder.

^I played Taxi to some Japanese Students and took them to the mall yesterday (haha) and, at J.Crew, noticed that they had a couple of simple, no nonsense canvas totes that were quite nice and fairly priced. GAP also has a few. I don't know the pricing of the Jack Spade, but if I wanted a >$100 canvas bag, I'd probably look at them.

If you live near a Club Monaco, too, you might check there. I find they sometimes have some nice, fair priced bags/accessories.

yay my filson x UO bag shipped

Thanks for the corsia opinion rach. Yoox has a few I was curious about, but I will probably pass on those now.

Friendly bump hoping for more opinions. Surely there are more brands out there in your closets... come on... do your part.

any review of royal republiq? website : http://shop0576.hostedshop.dk/ it is a new brand from denmark i thk the 'royal' bag looks nice

Originally Posted by rach2jlc

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Friendly bump hoping for more opinions. Surely there are more brands out there in your closets... come on... do your part.

Just want to say thank you all, especially you, Rach, for putting this together. You have pretty much covered the few bags I have. I guess I can talk about Dries Van Noten, as I am a big fan of his and have been following him for years.

Dries Van Noten (around $600/700 and up)
PROS: New designs each season. Doesn't really follow seasonal trends as far as I can see. Quality and type of leather used over the years are consistently good. Should patina nicely. Interesting use of ethnic patterns occasionally. Good solid hardware - not cheap looking. Nice and sturdy construction. No logos. The only "logo" is his name, which is always small and can be found at the bottom/back of the bags. Very discreet.
CONS: Retail price is usually very high, just like the rest of the DVN stuff. Some bags are now made in India (vs Belgium and Italy like they used to) but from what I have seen, the quality is still good, with leather "imported from Italy." I learned from a documentary that he often travels to India, and continues to learn from and collaborate with local craftsmen, which I think it's a good thing. That said, I hope he continues to apply good quality control whoever he works with in the future.
FINAL VERDICT: He's still one of my favorite designers after all these years. He's kept the quality consistently high. I'd say if you can afford one/see one on sale, grab it, because just like the Margiela bags, you're not likely to see it again.

these earnest alexander messenger bags look nice: http://www.ernestalexander.com/ made in nyc. anyone seen these? never heard of this brand before.

no one likes Jack Spade, or is their quality bad?