Man-bag?

[AliceJaneInNewcastle]

I use a small backpack all the time in boy mode.

For years I used to have a male wallet that I used with that backpack, and a much larger female wallet that I used with my girl bags (some of which are also backpacks or convertible). When the boy wallet was falling apart, I had a middle aged male customer show up carrying a similar style of girl wallet as I had, with no hint of being trans or anything being odd about it. Within a day or two (I forget), I emptied my boy wallet into my girl wallet, and it has been the wallet I've used virtually all the time ever since. The only time I used a different wallet was when I was going out en femme and needed to use a smaller one that fitted into the purse that I was using.

[Eryn]

I don't know if what I carry qualifies, but it is a brushed leather zippered bag slightly larger than a typical moneybag, and I carry the usual stuff in it like wallet...

I had a bag like that years ago, black leather with a short wrist strap. At the time I was working in an industry with a guard at the front door of the building who inspected briefcases and other containers entering and leaving the premises. The notable exception was women's purses. Women walked by with purses large and small and were never inspected. One day I asked why why I always had to open my small bag when women were exempt. The answer? "Their stuff is private."

Different times...

[Holly]

I carry a small purse (or large wallet ) all the time. It holds my cash, checkbook, credit cards, photos, cell phone, keys, spare contact lenses, hearing aid batteries, eye drops, my ID, a small note pad and pen. and to think I used to carry all that stuff in my pockets. When in girl mode, I simply toss it in my purse along with my makeup bag, hair brush, hair pick, scarf, casino cards, and some other "girls only" stuff. I used to have to switch out all that stuff. It saves me a good 15-20 minutes now everytime I get ready to go somewhere. It has never raised an eyebrow wherever I have gone. I highly recommend it.

[Robertacd]

I have a little Eagle Creek bag that I carry my netbook in.

It's rather unisex and works great in boy mode or casual girl mode.

You can catch a small glimpse of just the top of it in this old post

http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/...little-shoping...

[Cynthia Anne]

Yes, I carry a purse always, when shopping banking, ect! While Im in male or female mode! I say if you dont like it, then shut the ---- up and buy me a new one!!

[JuliaKay]

I've carried a purse for years; it's rather plain, my wife helped pick it out (she wanted to insure it wasn't too girly!). Also have a small Fossil shoulder bag I carry occasionally.

[Sarah Doepner]

I never liked the hard leather briefcases that were standard office equipment so nearly 30 years ago I started going to work carrying a cloth briefcase that my late mother would call my purse. Most recently I found a nice messenger bag that I carried for a while until my wife decided she needed it. She moved on to another bag recently and I may try to get it back and see if my new laptop will fit in it. Even if it doesn't fit, I have enough other stuff to carry around that it would be nice to have, just to free up my hands and relieve the stress on my pockets.

[Kate Lynn]

I have had a fanny pack I never wore around my waist, a shoulder bag and a small shoulder bag before. Now I carry a clutch purse where ever I go (my story is sitting on a wallet hurts my back )

Lorileah,there is a lot of truth about carrying a wallet in your back pocket causes back problems,I learned years ago from a Chiropractor that a wallet is about 2 to 4 inches thick depending how much stuff is crammed in it,causes the lower vertabrae,the L-1,2,3 region as well as the S-1 vertabrae to go out of kilter,the pelvis raises on the side the wallets on causing a shift,over time this causes serious lower back problems.

I used to carry my wallet in one of my front pockets,you can't believe the difference that makes on the lower back,but with the jeans I wear having shallow pockets I have resorted to carrying,wallet,key,change,cell phone,and laptop in my funtote,they come in some real cool colors and patterns,and yes they are machine washable.

[SuzanneBender]

I found a great "leather messenger bag" a couple of years back. I love it and carry it a lot. The strap is a little larger than a purse. It isn't the same as a nice Coach, Dooney and Burke or Fendi bag but I have been known to carry it in both guy and gal mode. I have never had a comment on it even when I carry it to work. Here is a pic of me en femme with it.

[Cristi]

I haven't figured out the best solution yet. There are lots of things I carry back and forth to work (lunch, thermos, books, misc. equipment).
Sometimes I end up throwing it all into a reusable shopping bag, sometime a laptop bag looks better. So far, nobody has given me any kind of a hard time for carrying a bag to work every day.
I'm thinking of getting a messenger bag, kind of a hybrid between a laptop bag and large purse...

[Cheyenne Skye]

I would love to find something over the shoulder my wife would approve of. I have a leather fanny pack that I use sometimes, but often I feel it ruins the look I'm presenting so I end up putting my wallet and keys in my jacket. Problem is when it warms up to the point I no longer need the jacket yet still wearing the girly jeans with tiny pockets. What to do? Ive considered a messenger bag but they all seem so large to me. The only stuff I carry is my wallet, keys, cell phone, spare change and maybe a few pieces of hard candy. If I had a bag of sorts I might add a pen and small pad of paper and maybe a chapstick.

[Leanne2]

For several years now I have carried a plain black ladies zippered wallet. I have my drivers license in the pocket with a clear plastic window. The wallet is stuffed with credit cards, pictures, business cards, and a little cash. It has an internal zippered area for loose coins. When I am en-fem I simply put the wallet in my purse. When in drab I carry the wallet in my hand because it's too big for a pocket. I don't care what anyone thinks; it's none of their business. Leanne

[Eryn]

I would love to find something over the shoulder my wife would approve of. I have a leather fanny pack that I use sometimes, but often I feel it ruins the look I'm presenting so I end up putting my wallet and keys in my jacket.

Sounds like it's time for a shopping trip (either real or virtual) with your wife!

There are a lot of options out there, and now that I think about it I see a lot more men carrying bags of various sorts around. The explosion of electronic devices (that seem to be getting ever bigger) and the need to carry more credit/discount/ID cards, business items, etc. seems to be driving men in that direction. I can't imagine anyone getting flack over carrying one unless you have friends that just like to needle you.

Hmmm, now that I've discussed it, maybe I should get one...

[sometimes_miss]

As a guy, I don't carry a bag. I have enough room in my pockets for everything I need. At work, I have to have various tools, equipment and lunch, so I carry a conventional black cordura backpack to the site, basically like a bookbag or knapsack. I do own about six purses, though I don't know if I'll ever go out as a girl with one; but it's kind of fun to load it up with all the girl goodies I like, and go to youtube and watch the other girl's 'what's in your purse' videos and compare with what I have in there.

[thechic]

Why don't they call the man bag a hand bag because that's what it is,alot of men just hate things from the female side getting used on the male side so thay give it a manly name.I Carry a handbag and purse or woman-Bag in the me mode.
Sorry im just in a not to good mood.

[Rachel C]

Yes, I carry a bag almost everywhere I go. I have a small collection now of different size leather satchels. Most of them are coach purses. I have never got negative comments in drab. Once in awhile I will get a "cute bag" comment from a SA or stranger. My gg friend gave me a large leather purse a couple months ago that I also use regularly. I try to make sure the bags are simple, but nice quality. Sometimes I tie my scarfs around them as well.

[5150 Girl]

I have a small denum purse with flowers embriderd on it that I carry all the time. One dat at Auto Zone the cashire asked me if anyone ever gave me any flack for it, and I said no, and you wouldn't belive how handy these things are!

[sophiam]

I sort of carry one. I have a message bag that I carry my 12" tablet in along with a whole bunch of other stuff like papers, checkbook, etc. I don't carry it like a purse though because I almost always leave it in my car when I shop or go into a friend's house. I guess I use it more like a tactical bag. I wear somewhat tigher jeans, and I still prefer to carry my wallet, keys, and phone in my pockets.

[AmberM]

I had a man purse for many years (it was black) and it was ruined by wear and tear.

[Vieja]

I got one of these from my Banker. Being out of the main stream my comment was "What the H**l is this". My daughter said it's a man bag. I gave it to Good Will.


Vieja

[Christie ann]

Man bag? I just call it a purse. I have two that I use on a regular basis. For everyday I use a 'wallet on a string"

and for extended trips a regular timbuktu shoulder bag.

It is about the only girly thing I use that my wife makes no comment about

[Xandria]

i do carry my laptop around wherever i go .. i dont have anything cool though as far as a bag is concerned.

[Prissy Linda]

I love purses, always have. I have various styles that I can use depending on the situation or how I want to present myself. In male mode I will carry my leather fanny pack over my shoulder or a canvas organizer purse that is not extremely femme so nobody seeems to notice. I also carry a black leather hobo type purse that my wife bought for me on QVC, I have had a few comments such as "nice purse" so I just respond with a thank you. Another favorite is a Prada backpack type purse that is extremely functional, hmmm, aren't all purses functional?

I've only had a few comments about carrying a purse but nothing to negative, usually people get used to seeing you carry some sort of bag so it's not a big deal. I've noticed more men carrying some sort of bag. If people think i'm gay, oh well.

[Tara Michele]

I've carried one for years. When there is confusion about how people should refer to it, I just tell them to call it a purse. After all, men carried purses for centuries before they gave up the "purse strings" to women. I've even inherited a purse from my wife's sister -- she replacing it and I had always coveted it, so she gave it to me.

[the_me]

I've been known to rock my Flash man-bag (or "purse" as my idiot friends like to lovingly call it... it is far from a purse.) on trips to the comic book store.