The rise of the 'murse'
Ladies, buy murses and your boyfriends will never complain about carrying your bag for you again. Not too long ago, murses were pretty much nonexistent.
“Men on average just used to stick stuff in their pockets,” says photographer and yourboyhood.com fashion journalist Hong Suk-woo, 28. But that changed around three years ago, which was when men “really started carrying bags.”
Hong is referring to the “man bag,” a broad category of purses, backpacks and other satchels tailored specially for guys.
Seoul trends
In Seoul particularly, the man bag is not a rarity but a given.
And no, these aren’t the type of purses that will make fellow dudes think you are carrying your girlfriend’s bag.
What started out as logo-emblazoned gym bags -- status symbols as well as affirmation of a sporty, manly lifestyle -- and wrist strap clutches has boomed into a full-blown market where men can pick from a diverse array of murses.
From the experts
Fashion magazine "maps" CEO and publisher Ryu Do-yeon, 27, attributes the phenomenon to a change in lifestyle.
“Men started doing work that involved moving around a lot, especially those in the field of fashion,” says Ryu.
“They also started to need to take care of their appearances, not just with clothes and shoes but with other things as well like beauty products and accessories,” he added. “So men definitely began to feel the need for bags.”
More on CNNGo: Best soles in Seoul
Global leather goods brand MCM’s Korea marketing team manager Heather Son, 31, says, “Men have changed recently. Now they need to put their cosmetics pouch, for instance, in their bags, and fashionable guys will pack a change of shoes, and then there is the iPad and work gear.”
So, what are men carrying this season? Here are the top five murse trends in Seoul.
1. Backpack in style
Korean bag brand GEAR3 BY SAEN creative director Saen Park, 29, says the “backpack will continue to be trendy” this season.
Both Hong and Ryu point to practicality and comfort as primary draws of the backpack.
Worn by many an idol, most notably K-Pop star-and-fashionista G-Dragon, the MCM backpack, in its many, delish variations, has been spreading like wildfire.
Hong attributes this, hands-down, to G-Dragon’s star power. MCM’s Son points to a bigger pool of Hallyu celebrity clientele.
Amongst their backpacks, Son says MCM’s classic Stark is popular. According to Hong, domestic brand Brownbreath’s backpacks are also in.
2. The Portfolio Clutch
Ryu speaks of "the Apple era", and it seems to be the case even when it comes to bags.
Thanks to the iPad and other tablet PCs, the portfolio clutch is in.
Strapless, these bags are made so you can hold them in the crook of your arm, which is something you would want to do when carrying such precious cargo as an iPad or tablet PC.
The whole effect is semi-professional, a hybrid briefcase-iPad case-portfolio holder.
“The design is good and simple,” says Ryu, who thinks that the trend towards doing freelance and independent work makes this an appropriate bag for men navigating solo careers who want to maintain a clean, professional image.
3. The All-In-One
Practicality has led to the growth of a certain niche market -- the all-in-one bag.
“The economy isn’t great right now so it is cost-effective to just get one bag,” says Ryu about why men are opting for a multi-purpose murse.
“Men look for a bag that can be both casual and formal,” says Park. “They tend to want something that functions as an all-in-one solution.”
GEAR3 BY SAEN’S bags do just that. Backpacks morph into totes, briefcases or gym bags. Straps can be removed, attached or hidden.
“Our bags come with their own manuals,” says Park.
Another type of all-in-one bag that looks set to be popular this season is the tote-messenger.
“I think the messenger that doubles as a cross-slung bag and also as a tote will be worn more often,” says Hong.
4. Bespoke bags
Bespoke menswear is nothing new, but the trend seems to be seeping into the murse market also.
The primary draw of the bespoke bag is that it is one-of-a-kind, says Ryu. Hong carries one crafted by Korean brand Bonho & Partner.
More on CNNGo: Welcome to the male narcissism capital of the world
5. Big bags
“Next year you will probably see the women’s shopper bag done up a bit wild for men,” says Son, who says that the brand will be soon releasing its bigger take on style next season.
“I think fashionable guys should carry big bags,” says Ryu.
Son says bags are getting bigger because men are carrying more stuff now and pinpointed the shopper style as the next trend because men don’t just want a big bag, they want something “nonchalant and chic.”
So the last word when it comes to murses? Bigger is better.
More on CNNGo: The Korean boyfriend gift guide
