Manbags/murses

(Image courtesy  http://www.coutorture.com)

In our increasingly complex world, a man’s affection for his bag is no longer a love that dare not speak its name. The manbag is a style essential. Just so long as it’s not too girlie. 

- The Times

While we at Pop Culture Paradox have made our distaste for Muggs (Man Uggs, duh) abundantly clear...our opinion on manbags or murses is yet to be decided. 

The Gucci Men's Spring 2010 collection shown in Milan predominantly featured oversized (and frankly, a bit over the top I think) hand...err...manbags and the first image that popped into my head was Joey from Friends. Now, nearly 10 years on from then, men like Beckham, Ronaldo, Kanye West, Pharrell (he posed for the cover of a magazine with his bright purple Birkin!) and even Snoop Dogg have been spotted toting around their everyday essentials in manbags and murses.

As women, we know all too well how naked we feel without our handbags, filled with our lip gloss, compact, bronzer, eyeliner, moisturizer, cell phone, keys, sunglasses, pens, notebooks, gum, magazines or books, hair-tie, sometimes a light cardigan (do I really need to go on?)

That being said, who are we to judge if the boys embrace the everyday practicality of bags. 

Check out this article from The Times for more insight into how men are embracing manbags!

Look-a-like

(Image courtesy nordstrom.com)

What goes around comes around...in fashion. The picture above is of a MICHAEL by Michael Kors Panama Satchel and the following picture is of a bag that I picked up from a random boutique in London nearly 3 or 4 years ago :) (excuse the terrible lighting & quality, I just snapped a picture with my phone)

Blair Waldorf (and I!) LOVE Dior

(image courtesy of fabsugar.com)

In a recent episode of the best show ever (also known as Gossip Girl), Blair Waldorf is seen with a gorgeous Christian Dior Cannage Leather Tote from the Lady Dior collection. I was lucky enough last week to see some bags from this collection in person (and write product descriptions on them) for an upcoming RueLaLa.com sale. (Sidenote: my job rocks, I know, no need to remind).

Consider this bag, along with the large, navy blue, patent leather cannage print shopper tote on my droolworthy and lusted items I need list. The bags are surprisingly huge, but don't give off a Mary Kate Olsen vibe where you feel kind of like that older woman at Whole Foods with a grocery bag. They're structured, sturdy and classic. Dior never fails to amaze me and every other fashionista.

-M

What's In A Bag?

(image courtesy of [and made by me!] at Polyvore.com)

I am a strong believer that a lot (if not everything) can be told about a girl by what she carries in her bag. Case in point? My handbag. Aside from the massive amount of stuff I carry with me (and the inevitable shoulder and back problems that ensue), everything that needs to be said about me can just be said by my handbag's contents. See for yourself!

-M

Fendi's gone nautical!

Ladies and gents. I present to you, Fendi's Tri-Color Forever Boston (I shizz you not) Bag from their 2009 resort collection. It's like everything I could ask for in a handbag. Nautical colors. A homage to my city. If only I was in the market for a small bag, and not a big one. SIGH.

Want to buy it? Of course you do. Find it here on eLuxury.
-M