By Krishika Bhatia
Gone are the days when guys had a hard time fitting their things into pockets. Now, a fresh style wave is sweeping in as men cast aside outdated norms and eagerly hop on the manbag trend. It's all about being more self-sufficient and carrying your stuff with style.
History of the Manbag Trend
Image credits – Gucci
During the Renaissance, men, devoid of pockets, fastened leg-tied pouches to carry spices and money. This practicality evolved into swete bagges, symbolic of social standing. As societal shifts saw men move away from displaying wealth through jewellery, bags emerged as markers of affluence during the Industrial Revolution. Although the concept waned with time, it resurged as the man bag, initially met with skepticism but soon establishing itself as a prominent fashion statement. In 2018, visionaries Kim Jones and Virgil Abloh at Dior and Louis Vuitton disrupted the conventional narrative, signaling the beginning of a new era for men's accessories. Gucci, in 2020, played a pivotal role with the Jackie 1961, challenging norms and pushing the boundaries of men's fashion.
Man Bags on the Runway
Image Credits – Dior at PFW
Recently, man bags stole the spotlight on prestigious runways at Paris Fashion Week, marking a new chapter in men's fashion. From the iconic catwalks of Dior to the avant-garde displays by Louis Vuitton, Dior, Valentino, and Fendi, the man bag trend has been paraded with undeniable flair.
Style Icons
Image credits - Gucci
Celebrities like Jacob Elordi, Harry Styles, A$AP Rocky, and David Beckham are the faces of this trend. They're not just changing fashion; they're rewriting men's style. Jacob Elordi, once questioned for his manbag, is now a trendsetter, rocking brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Burberry, and Valentino. Also, Harry Styles posed with manbags for Gucci’s campaign and was seen flaunting them at multiple events.
Indian Influence
Image credits – Instagram @ranveersingh
In India, manbags have made an appearance on celebs like Ranveer Singh, Rajkumar Rao and Aparshakti Khurana. Ranveer Singh, being the fashion icon he is, has been spotted flaunting man bags with his airport looks as well as during his travels. However, on the streets, the absence of this accessory is hard to ignore.
The New Normal?
Inspired by Joey's love for his man purse in Friends, the world is waking up to the manbag trend. What was once eye-catching is becoming the everyday accessory, marking a shift towards more inclusive and practical fashion trends.