# Men: would you carry a purse- like bag if you had stuff you needed to carry? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 14, 2011, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629 "2011-08-14T00:02:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629/41 "2011-08-15T14:07:58Z")
For such a small requirement, 1 item, I would look to make it or get it small enough to pocket it, look for clothes with bigger/more pockets, and perhaps reduce other things you carry, like a keyring stuffed with keys or a George Constanze wallet. Smartphones can pretty much get rid of the day planner, though it certainly is a adjustment, and sometimes paper and pen just works best. ---
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629/42 "2011-08-15T14:34:27Z")
Would and have. I prefer a backpack, but I’d use a small shoulder bag if wearing something without pockets. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Bosstrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstrain)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629/43 "2011-08-15T15:42:38Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > I regularly carry a purse. It’s made out of bear skin, from a bear that I shot myself, and the zipper pulls are carved from buffalo horn and inlaid with Viking runes. The shoulder strap is a whole, tanned rattlesnake (complete with head and fangs) that I caught myself (by hand) and killed; the snap closures on the outer flaps are machined from steel salvaged from a Hind helicopter gunship shot down during the Iran-Iraq War. The inside of the purse is lined with real wolf fur, too. Inside the purse I carry a .44 Magnum, a Navy SEAL survival knife, an economy-size pack of extra-large condoms, and a flask of Jack Daniels. > > It’s a great fucking purse. Okay, Dundee…_ahem_, **Argent Towers** , in this case I think a purse is just fine…carry on. Messenger bags are purses, BTW, the Europeans think they’ve gotten by on a technicality, but I see right through it…cough, cough [girly men](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUzUbtIptqQ) cough, cough. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629/44 "2011-08-15T17:01:04Z")
If the stuff I’m carrying mostly consists of papers and other more or less flat, rectangular stuff, I carry a briefcase. For more irregular-shaped junk, I’ll wear a knapsack. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629/45 "2011-08-15T18:08:48Z")
In the \*Dark Tower \*books, Roland carries a purse. So that settles it. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629/46 "2011-08-15T18:10:25Z")
I do carry a laptop bag that, for most purposes, is a man purse. So yeah. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629/47 "2011-08-15T19:18:48Z")
> [@the lone cashew](#): > > Why carry a purse when there are so many other options? Like ones already mentioned in this thread - back packs, fanny packs, and brassieres for carrying cherry tomatoes (only from garden to house, of course). If I’m carrying cherry tomatoes in a brassiere, I don’t think my messenger bag is going to make me look like more of a girly man. On the other hand, if I’m carrying cherry tomatoes in a brassiere _back to my house in the morning_, I’m clearly even more awesome than Argent Towers and his bearskin purse awesome, so there is that. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629/48 "2011-08-15T19:28:42Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > In the \*Dark Tower \*books, Roland carries a purse. So that settles it. And a pair of Derringer pistols in a garter holster. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629/49 "2011-08-15T19:40:20Z")
Back in the old days (through the 1990’s) briefcases were common and then supplanted by laptop bags. Me, I use a knapsack/laptop bag or more commonly just my smart phone. I would never ever carry a man purse. Back in the day, I only carried a briefcase for job interviews. Otherwise a knapsack if I needed to carry stuff more than would fit in my pant pockets ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629/50 "2011-08-15T20:16:09Z")
I actually carry a Jack Spade man purse, BUT only when I travel. It is the perfect size for a book, passport, ipod and other small items. I find that people overseas are more tolerant of my lifestyle choice. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629/51 "2011-08-15T21:09:02Z")
Messenger bags are for wannabe-hipsters. Real Men carry real vintage leather[Map Cases](http://www.google.com/search?q=map+bag&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1366&bih=597#um=1&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=WWII+map+case&oq=WWII+map+case&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=15146l16024l2l16495l4l4l0l0l0l2l431l1436l3-3.1l4l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.&fp=3021e89817ca125c&biw=1366&bih=597). Or Real Hipsters do, I’m not quite clear on this. But I do prefer map cases to messenger bags - they are more vertical, and more pen-friendly, IME. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629/52 "2011-08-15T21:22:36Z")
**MrDibble** , Whoooeee, those are awesome lookin’ and I bet they cost a pretty penny if you could find one at an Army/Navy Surplus store. I can just picture a Navy Seal carrying one and daring anyone to say anything! 🙂 Quasi ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629/53 "2011-08-15T21:43:45Z")
I only carry an aluminum attache case handcuffed to my arm. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629/54 "2011-08-15T21:56:06Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > **MrDibble** , Whoooeee, those are awesome lookin’ and I bet they cost a pretty penny if you could find one at an Army/Navy Surplus store. I can just picture a Navy Seal carrying one and daring anyone to say anything! They do make reproductions for the WII reenactment crowd. Hell, maybe I should make some and stick them on Etsy… ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629/55 "2011-08-15T21:58:42Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > **MrDibble** , Whoooeee, those are awesome lookin’ and I bet they cost a pretty penny if you could find one at an Army/Navy Surplus store. I can just picture a Navy Seal carrying one and daring anyone to say anything! 🙂 > > Quasi I think they actually sell canvas map cases at the uniform shop on base. I’ll check today to see what it’s like. Something like $20 or $30 for it. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Bosstrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstrain)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629/56 "2011-08-15T23:23:08Z")
Hahaha…had to share this, I just now checked this thread, and lo and behold…an advertisement for messenger bags…Bwahahaha (somebody’s coded this board right, good job, the word recognizer is working perfectly) ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2011, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629/57 "2011-08-15T23:51:35Z")
> [@Raguleader](#): > > I think they actually sell canvas map cases at the uniform shop on base. I’ll check today to see what it’s like. Something like $20 or $30 for it. I’d definitely find a use for it, **Raguleader**! I sometimes get called to an Advocates meeting and all I need is something to keep files in. Thanks! Q ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629/58 "2011-08-16T01:39:17Z")
Not too long ago, Mr. Matata finally saw the light, and went on an all-day shopping excursion for _The Perfect Bag._ He finally found something kind of like [this](http://www.armysurplusworld.com/product.asp?ProductID=49511) - a little narrower, but similar, and with a bunch of smaller bags that clip on or off, as needed. Now, it’s like his American Express - he doesn’t leave home without it. It handily stores diapers, bottles, wipes, wee toys, a small first aid kit (the 11-year-old inherited all of my grace!), pens, a multi-tool, money clip, phone, dog leash, snacks, etc., etc., etc. And it’s not just for domestic use. Since his patrol car is essentially his office for 40 hours per week, the Daddy Bag goes to work with him. Now that he has experienced the ease of carrying everything so easily, I doubt that the Daddy Bag will retire even after we no longer need a diaper bag… ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629/59 "2011-08-16T01:42:18Z")
* * * Men: would you carry a purse- like bag if you had stuff you needed to carry?\*\*\* Sure. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629/60 "2011-08-16T08:52:43Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > I’d definitely find a use for it, **Raguleader**! I sometimes get called to an Advocates meeting and all I need is something to keep files in. > > Thanks! > > Q Yah, it costs right around $25 at the uniform shop. A quick google shows that lots of places sell map cases (which, as far as I can tell, are basically canvas messenger bags) for right around the $20-40 price range. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-would-you-carry-a-purse-like-bag-if-you-had-stuff-you-needed-to-carry/592629.md?page=4)