What kind of purse do you carry?

[500grains]

In China, alpha males carry designer purses

'It's crucial for business,' says a 41-year-old investor with a brown leather clutch. 'It shows I have good taste.'

Men represent 45% of the $1.2-billion market for all luxury handbags in China, according to the president of Coach Retail International. That figure is just 7% in the U.S. (Sim Chi Yin, For The Times)

Tiger Zhang browsed the sweaters at the Hugo Boss boutique at the upscale Oriental Plaza mall looking for fashionable additions to his wardrobe.

The 41-year-old investor was dressed in the unofficial uniform of Chinese businessmen: dark blazer, crisp white shirt, designer slacks, silky tan socks, hand-tooled loafers — and an expensive purse. Lest anyone think the $500 Dunhill clutch with dual bronze zippers belonged to his wife, he proudly explained how his business cards, cash and two cellphones fit neatly into its buttery leather interior.

"It's crucial for business," said Zhang, who chose the chocolate-colored bag because he thought it was stylish without being flashy. "It shows I have good taste."

That's debatable, considering Zhang wore his hair in a cotton candy pouf. What's clear is that the designer handbag, long a fashion staple for stylish women worldwide, has become a status symbol for upwardly mobile men in China.

.....

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/feb/07/business/la-fi-china-man-purse-20110207


http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2011-02/59239949.jpg

[500grains]

Here is my purse:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/500grains/016-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/500grains/015-3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/500grains/005.jpg

[mr_smiles]

His "purse" looks like a fancy smancy messenger bag. If it was in coyote brown it would probably be considered tacticool :p

Personally I think a backpack works fine, I guess if I spent $3k on a suit I might be willing to spend $1k on a fancy ass briefcase. But seeing how I don't own a suit and go to meeting in jeans and a shirt (kick ass love it) I'll pass.

[SteyrAUG]

Cargo pants.

[montanadave]

Built to last:

http://www.saddlebackleather.com/categories/79-Briefcases/products/1655-Leather-Briefcase-Chestnut

[Business_Casual]

While I don't carry a purse, I do not understand the fascination with attending business meetings in "jeans and a t-shirt."

B_C

[500grains]

While I don't carry a purse, I do not understand the fascination with attending business meetings in "jeans and a t-shirt."

B_C

At one time I had to wear a suit all the time to prove I was serious about my job. Now that I have proven my abilities, it is not necessary to wear a suit any more.

[The_War_Wagon]

What kind of purse do you carry?


5.11 vest. I wear a LOT of black in my line of work - it coordinates well. :cool:

[ucrt]

.

My wife calls my Maxpedition Jeroboam (http://www.lapolicegear.com/maxpedition-jeroboam-gear-bag.html) a "purse".

I carry it to the car or to my office and use it as a "base" of operations. I keep my wallet, 1st Air Kit, small tools, knives, lights, snacks, medicine, maps, cell phone charger, remotes, and other knick-knacks.
I don't go anywhere without it but I don't carry it around with me. If I need something out of it to go in the mall or a meeting, I just grab what I need out of the bag and go.

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/policestuff_2141_2420774

.

[ChicagoTex]

Social stigma aside there's a lot of practicality to carrying a purse, namely that's it's an extremely easy on/off-wise way to carry a bunch of stuff (when I change pants it takes 5-10 minutes to switch everything out, when my girlfriend changes pants it takes her about 10 seconds).

The big downside to purses, in my opinion, is the same things that makes it convenient for the purse's owner make it convenient for theives to snatch.

That said what I think this is really about is having one more accessory with which one can announce wealth. In that case, I personally feel a hat would be the better way to go...

[mr_smiles]

While I don't carry a purse, I do not understand the fascination with attending business meetings in "jeans and a t-shirt."

B_C

It's easier to travel and it's nice not having to put up a front to show you can be taken serious because you have a reputation as being known as some one who does a job and does it well :D So even if you show up in flannels you'll be looked at the same as some one who shows up in an Armani custom tailored 3 piece. Because in the end the guys you're meeting with could give a two shits about your dress, but care more about what you're saying :P

Of course you always have the "professional" who thinks business casual is loafers instead of lace ups. But he gets over it quickly.


ETA: Don't get me wrong, a suit has places where it's simply appropriate, but for work - I think actions speak louder than words. And it has nothing to do with respect when it comes to the workplace, if you respect those you work with you excel and make your entire team look good no matter what leak chains you have.

[PrivateCitizen]

Maxpedition Fatboy S-Type.

I don't like it or the look, but it holds my stuff and was only 45 bucks.

[Business_Casual]

I wasn't asking for justification, I was stating an opinion.

[mr_smiles]

I wasn't asking for justification, I was stating an opinion.

Well your name is business casual, loafer lover :p

[6933]

I've just been carrying a diaper bag as of late.

I mean, um, a tactical diaper bag.

[Icculus]

It's not a purse--its a european carry all

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnKRbEPbItE

I'm with SteyrAUG; cargo pants for me

[kal]

What happened to the manly breifcase?

[SWATcop556]

I've just been carrying a diaper bag as of late.

I mean, um, a tactical diaper bag.

Mine has MOLLE. :haha:

Wife thought I was crazy.

[Honu]

when out with the kids or returning stuff etc.. I carry a maxpedition bag ?
or my super old timbuk (first year they were in biz model which I like better than their new stuff)


the other day a guy in a furniture store (worker) said nice Bail Out Bag in a serious fashion ? (maxpedition bag small one)
I said thanks it just holds a few wet wipes kids water and snacks :)
dont want to advertise what it may or many not have ?

made me think its to tactical ? or was he a tack guy also I would rather people think I am carrying a diaper bag than a tac bag then again in my mind thats one tiny BOB I would be carrying and why would I be carrying a BOB in a store
so also made me thinks he wanted to strike up conversation or something ?

just struck me as strange a bit ?

[skyugo]

full of engineering and math texts.. she's holdin up well.

http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/catalog/0514b_793_detail.jpg

[6933]

SWAT- Let me guess. On the MOLLE you have a blowout kit; as in for an explosive poopy diaper? I still can't believe I say poopy.:D What else is on the MOLLE? Couple of wrist rattles? Maybe a wipes holder? Hell, I'm envious. I get to look like sooo European carrying a Coach diaper bag.:rolleyes: I bought a nice range bag as diaper bag, but I liked it so much it became a....range bag. What is the make/model of your diaper bag?

[montanadave]

Man purses?

Tactical "poopy" bags?

Oh, the humanity! :laugh:

[6933]

I see someone is jealous.:p

[ucrt]

.

Heck, I can see a smart Dad telling Momma that he really "needs" a tactical bag for a diaper bag as an excuse to get a nice bag. They won't be in diapers forever (but it sure feels like it) and then....you've got a nice bag.

.

[6933]

Been thinking about it. Maybe I'll justify with the bag I purchased just being too small for all her stuff. I swear diaper bags are bug out bags except for infants. I just need to figure out how to get my SBR in it.:D

[500grains]

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jmorrismetal/3g/3gc.jpg

[Quiet-Matt]

Here's what I carry to work as a lineman. The thermos and lunch box are self explanitory. The pack is what I call my purse. It has everything from spare phone, water, light, fire starter, first aid bag, spare clothes, knife, cash, to you name it. The thought of working in an office turns my stomach.:bad:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_5kA3JwNkBxc/TVbjZZqc-6I/AAAAAAAAHiM/GnaVt4KSUyU/s512/mms_picture.jpg

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o213/jmorrismetal/3g/3gc.jpg

And to think I almost tried to sell ours on Craiglist when the kids got too big for it. Finally my kid will be high caliber. Gonna camo up some sippy cups.

Had our big business meeting this week, and by the up-down look-over I got from our company owner, we don't have casual dress for Friday's and travel days.