Pappa's Got a Brand New Bag

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A handbag is a woman’s best friend. A bag gracefully slung over the shoulder to carry all the essential, everyday items. It is certainly better than the male equivalent, which is usually just a wallet. However in this time of the ‘metrosexual’ some men have adopted the ‘manbag’: the masculine counterpart of the handbag. There is no reason that men should not carry bags and it is good to see that this preconception is being challenged.

The one fashion masterpiece that is being overlooked, however, is the bum bag (or fanny pack in America). It is set in our minds that handbags are elegant (designed by Louis Vuitton, made of fine leather and worn by Gisele Bundchen) and that bum bags are nasty (made of cheap synthetic material and worn by dirty men who work on market stalls).

This is where we are once again fooled by preconceptions, not only the public, but designers too.

When viewed from a purely functional perspective a bum bag is better than a handbag as it leaves the hands free and prevents theft. So, when form and function are brought together once again it creates a new, complete, product. Now all I have to do I get Kate Moss to be seen in public wearing one.