TOTES AND OTHER MAN-BAG PHOBIAS....

ARE YOU ONE...?

AFRAID OF THE POSSIBLE NOTICE OF CARRYING WHAT APPEARS TO BE HAND BAG...?

This week's entry will be short and sweet - I want to be one of the many MEN in the world (to OUT HIMSELF)(PUN intended) that I do SPORT a TOTE BAG.

Long have I stuffed in every jeans or pants pocket, breast pocket (and even my wife's purse) with all my gadgets (iPhone, BB, iPad, headphones), handkerchiefs, valuables, hats, etc.

It had gotten so bad that I would even load my gear into the baby stroller when we were out in town shopping or meeting friends. All because of my OLD SCHOOL phobia of carrying a MAN-BAG.

Now that I think about it, the only REAL problem with

MEN's bags is that mainstream North American

TV permeates too much of culture.

It was (and maybe still is for some) to quote 90s sitcoms (Read - SEINFELD) for this witty quips about "MAN-BAGS or M-URSES". You probably remember all the other jokes / references.

As I have stated above, the ONLY real reason for a REAL man to carry any form of bag should be to get out of the habit of loading your pockets with all your essentials. Seriously, does anyone still think it is okay to look like you are shoplifting from the corner drugstore...?

My Recommendation: The TOTE BAG

WHAT IS A TOTE BAG EXACTLY...?

From Wikipedia:

A tote bag is a large and often unfastened bag with parallel handles that emerge from the sides of its pouch.

A BIT OF HISTORY...

The term tote or tate, meaning "to carry", can be traced back to the 17th century but was not used to describe bags until 1900. However, the tote bag craze in the United States began in the 1940s with the release of L.L. Bean's Boat Bag in 1944. Because they were easier than carrying luggage, most people opted for using tote bags. During the 1950s, tote bags began to enter into the main culture.

Women primarily utilized them as practical handheld bags because they didn't require much care. It wasn't until the 1960s when the tote bag embraced personal style. Bonnie Cohen released her own line of tote bags called Cashin Carry Tote Bags which combined style and functionality.

In the 1990s, Kate Spade ultimately transformed how American culture embraced tote bags when she began carrying them as fashion bags. Today, fashion lovers and consumers can find tote bags in a variety of decorations and themes.

WHY A TOTE YOU ASK?

SIMPLY PUT:

• A modern take of the typical backpack or briefcase

• Simple, altruistic in form, function - you can share with spouses / partners depending on the design and material

• Several totes of different shapes, sizes, color and material lend to greater uses and functionality (OFFICE = laptop, cell, wallet, keys; SUPERMARKET = produce, for example (while saving the environment!!))

• Design allows for OPEN view of all the contents = easy to find what you need quickly without having to search pockets / patches / hidden compartments (found in a lot of today's bags).

And with any and all accessories, Totes are a chance to say something about yourself.

So what are you sayin'...? Bulging pockets or organized, professional adult with a bit of "WHO's YOUR DADDY..?"

JUST SAYIN'... :)