The Rise of the Man Purse

Fashion is no longer just female territory. According to statistics collected by the English marketing agency Euromonitor, men’s models make up 20% of the market for luxury handbags with annual sales of over $6 billion. It appears as though the stronger sex has finally begun to invest in designer accessories and, once one has succumbed to the temptation of Dior or Chanel, there is no going back.

It comes as no surprise, that men are paying attention to luxury designer brands. After all, designers have been focusing their efforts at creating stylish men’s options in the past couple of years. Catwalks have become filled with a variety of men’s bags (what people have begun to call “murses” - a combination of the words “man” and “purse”) - from oversized clutches to large shopper models.

In the not so distant past, bags used to be purchased more so for the purpose of functionality rather than for shape and design. However, thanks to the creations from brands like Burberry and Thom Browne, gentlemen have changed their perception of this accessory. We can observe the new integration of purple bags with fringes or even graphic whale prints, because men are not afraid to experiment and enjoy the freedom that comes with a sense of style.

The increase of profits in this sector is not only linked to the newly-acquired interest from the male audience. The costs surrounding the materials necessary to produce the different designs has grown. This inevitably affects the price of the final product. For example, limited sources of leather in the United States might mean a rise in the price of leather. Consequently, accessories such as shoes, belts and bags must be sold at higher prices. However, this has not been a hinderance for fashion lovers to indulge in designer brands, which continue to offer them the highest quality products.