Reader Question: Messenger Bags

Question:

Do you have any strong feelings about messenger bags? Specifically, I am a bit torn between the north/south versus the east/west styles.

Answer:

Unfortunately, we men do not have a lot of options available to us in when it comes to bags. Woman (as is usually the case) have a multitude of options for different situations, and in different colors to choose from. However, the one style rule that I always try to follow is function over form, and bags cannot escape this rule's graps. For school I use my incase laptop back pack:

It is functional enough to hold all of my essential gear (books and Macbook), but I don't look like I am going on a 8 day backpacking trip into the Andes. When I am lucky enough to travel I take my soft leather Rudsak brief case, but one bag that I do not have in my arsenal is a messenger. I am partial to the 'East/West' style of messenger bag in a simple canvas or leather:

However, if it is large enough (and does not look like a travel purse) I can't object to the 'North/West' style:

If you really have some courage, try a tote (WARNING: only for advanced users, or ALL Europeans):

Geoff Morrell

Who is Geoff Morrell you ask? He is the Pentagon Press Secretary. And after seeing a short clip tonight on The News Hour I found out that he knows how to dress for a press conference! Robert Gibbs should take notice. With a dark suit, white shirt and white pocket square you can't really go wrong.

Trouser Length

The idea that celebrities should be considered style icons has always perplexed me, especially when they walk the red carpet with pants that are about 2 inches too long. Here are two serial offenders:

Little or no break works best:

Style vs. Fashion

Zenga Autumn Winter 2009

Thom Browne

The Sartorialist Book Signing

Great pics from The Satorialist book signing at Barneys New York. Check out more at The Sartorialist

Ride in Style

Pictures from Copenhagen Cycle Chic



"An elegant lady or man, on a bike that is elegant, that's really the new art of living"
- R. Dutreil, LVMH (above)



Being on a bicycle is no excuse to let your sartorial guard down. My personal choice would be a Granturismo Uomo from ABICI:

Style Icon: Gianni Angelli

Bixi Montreal

My lady friend and I had a great time this afternoon riding around Montreal on Bixi bicycles. It is a great way to enjoy a sunny Sunday afternoon, and it beats trying to find a parking spot downtown! If you are ever in Montreal I highly recommend a spin. For more information go to www.bixi.com

The English Cut

This is Thomas Mahon...


... he is a Tailor (more precisely, a cutter) in England. He used to work for them...


..but now owns his own Bespoke Tailor shop run out of Cumbria, called The English Cut. He now makes suits for guys like this...


I have never been a fan of the Royals, but the prince has serious style. Here is a great short documentary about Thomas and his shop in Cumbria:

The $300 T-Shirt

It is always discouraging to me when I see simple cotton T-shirts that are sold for $200 and $300 dollars by labels like Tom Ford and Michael Bastian. Unfortunately, it looks like the venerable Italian suit maker Brioni is going down that same road. I discovered this disappointing news through an article from the New York Times entitled, Brioni, Suitmaker to Presidents, Adpats to Crisis. Obviously, it has become very difficult for people to justify spending $4,000 of their hard earned cash on anything material, let alone a suit. However, does buying a T-shirt for $250, that will last a year or three, make more or less sense than buying a suit that will last you a life time? One thing that I did enjoy seeing in the piece were the accompanying pictures of Brioni's factory and tailoring school in Penne.





Courtesy of the New York Times

If I am ever in need of a mid-life career change, I know where to look.

Esquire: Best Dressed Real Man - Part 2

And the winner is...