The answer to the title\’s question is a resounding yes! Absolutely, men can use handbags. In fact, men using handbags is not a recent fashion phenomenon and has been fairly established for years! Following are some examples of handbags men have been using but society called those bags by different names.

Briefcases are the first bag off the top of the list that fit the criteria of a handbag. Proof that the briefcase is a type of handbag consists of the fact that it typically has only one handle to be carried by one\’s hand, not the shoulder or back, and it acts as a bag by allowing one to carry around many instruments for various uses. Briefcases can be practical or quite fashionable or even both. Briefcases often come in neutral colors. The bags used to square and boxy but recently have also taken on a softer appearance with rounded corners and softer materials than plastic being used to create the handbags. These are used most frequently in the business environment.

The tote bag, similar to the briefcase, is a second handbag that men often carry.

Holdalls are third type of handbag. These can be found in use by travelers everywhere who use the satchel to hold all their goods for traveling needs. In fact, with recent changes to airline travel and federal regulations regarding carry-on luggage, the popularity of these bags might very well be on the rise.

The other handbags in possession of men who need something to carry around objects are camera bags, newsboy bags, and messenger bags.

Except for the trends set by modern cultures over what is or is not permissible for men, there is nothing that says a man cannot use a handbag. Handbags were created as a tool to fulfill a need. This can be seen throughout history.

Couriers used to carry handbags containing information on their journeys and this is still in practice today. The postal service carried handbags. Secretaries and lawyers used handbags centuries ago. Even in rural settings handbags can be seen in variations such as saddlebags and sporrans. One has only to look at a Western movie to see men in the guise of cowboys carrying a saddlebag over their shoulder or a Scottish themed movie to see sporrans in use.

Literature reflects that men have used handbags as well. From the creative fiction of popular novels to serial stories in magazines. Even wallets could be considered a type of handbag as it was the male equivalent of a woman\’s purse.

So yes, the statement that men can use handbags is very true. One need only look around through the histories of our civilizations to see examples. Sometimes the trend of a man carrying a handbag is not easily seen depending on current fashions but if there is a need then a man is going to use the tool most suited to the job.

Handbags are definitely fashion accessories and tools for not just women but men too!

Author Bio: Trevor Richards writes on behalf of Room 14 Menswear (www.room14menswear.co.uk), UK retailers of bolongaro trevor clothing.

Category: Advice
Keywords: fashion, style, handbags, bags, menswear, clothing, retail, shopping, business