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Indiana Jones had one. Joey Tribbiani (Friends) fell madly in love with his. But that didn’t stop Bradley Cooper (aka Phil from The Hangover) making fun of Alan for rocking his own version of the “best man purse.” Since then, trendsetters such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Asap Rocky, and Jacob Elordi have turned to the must-have accessory to elevate their looks. Who’s laughing now, Phil?
Not only a convenient way to keep your essentials close by, the man purse, or bag, is an extension of your outfit —often providing the perfect finishing touch to smart-casual looks. Which is why it made total sense to round up the best options on the market.
Keep reading for my guide on what to look for, and where to get it from. You’ll find an assortment of bag types, each with varying price tags, compartments, and details.
Key Takeaways
If you’re looking to become (or remain) the most fashionable person in your friend group, then adding a bag to your everyday rotation is a sensible place to start. But to ensure you pick the best man purse, you’ll have to let me help a little first.
Highlighting versions from the likes of Rains and Roderer, I’ll be taking you through the finest options money can buy. No matter if you’re a city slicker or streetwear legend, you’re sure to find a man purse to fit your style, needs, and wants.
What makes the best man purse? It should be functional and compact while offering ample storage and undeniable style. It kinda helps if it doesn’t get in the way too. So how do you go about finding something that ticks all the right boxes? Well, funny you should ask…
Rains’ fanny pack has managed a resounding full house. It’s waterproof and features one main compartment with an external pocket to keep everything safe. For easy access, you can wear it around your waist or across your body. Better yet, its sleek design and minimalist aesthetic mean it’ll complement smart and casual outfits alike.
Material: 100% Polyester | Size: 41cm x 3cm x 18.5cm | Compartments: 2
For durability and all-round luxury, leather is hard to beat. So when it comes to securing the best man purse, this leather messenger from Roderer is a real winner. Handmade from soft Italian leather, it’s tough, easy on the eye, and perfect for your everyday escapades.
And it’s not just a messenger bag—by adjusting the shoulder strap, you can wear it as a fanny pack. Or lose the strap altogether for a handy wash bag you can take on your travels. In terms of storage, there’s a convenient front zipped pocket, plus another inside.
Material: 100% Leather | Size: 25cm x 6.5cm 17cm | Compartments: 3
There’s no point splurging on the best man purse if it leaves you with no money or belongings to leave in it. I mean, that would be like buying a tractor without a farm or field to harvest. Luckily, there are plenty of wallet-friendly options that offer a lot of bang for your buck.
My favorite is this small crossbody from SYCNB. It provides four main compartments with a zip fastening for security. It’ll hold your cell phone, keys, cards, sunglasses, earphones, and much more. Not bad for under $20, eh?
Material: 100% Nylon | Size: 19cm x 2cm x 14cm | Compartments: 4
Search for the ‘best man purse’ on Amazon and you’ll be presented with enough options to keep you scrolling for the best part of an afternoon. However, time is of the essence, so I’ve narrowed it down to one key style.
KPYWZER’s clutch purse doesn’t only look great, but it’s super easy to carry. Not skimping on space, it has plenty of room for your essentials and there’s internal and external compartments to keep everything in the right place. I think it’s ideal for city explorers—though you’ll find it comes in handy on a daily basis.
Material: 100% Leather | Size: 22cm x 6.5cm x 13cm | Compartments: 8
Big news for this fashion season, the sling bag has firmly cemented its place on the list of must-have accessories for the fashion-conscious fella. And they’re not just a pretty face. The best designs are a practical everyday option, with more than enough capacity to ensure your pockets are left empty.
My go-to is ARC’s Hey bag. A match made in heaven for an oversized tee and sweatpants, it hangs stylishly across your body for easy access and a seriously slick look. The interior is spacious, and you’ll find a zipped pocket that’s ideal for your keys and cell.
Material: 100% Recycled Polyester | Size: 39cm x 17cm | Compartments: 2
When it comes to finding the best designer accessories, there’s not many that can rival Bottega Veneta. Setting the standard for luxury since its birth in 1966, the Italian fashion house has gone on to even better things since being acquired by the Gucci group in 2001.
The Avenue B. pouch is perfectly sized for your tablet. But when it’s not being used to carry your tech, it’ll easily house your everyday essentials and party invites. It’s made from black leather that’s been expertly woven to show off the label’s iconic intrecciato technique. You can keep it stylishly tucked under your armpit or use the classy wrist strap to keep it close by.
Material: 100% Leather | Size: 32cm x 25cm | Compartments: 2
Alongside your suncream, luggage, and passport, a bag is one of the most essential things to take with you on vacation. How else are you going to carry around those all-important travel documents and snacks? But before you go making any rash decisions, I suggest this one from Bellroy.
The ultimate sidekick, it’s super slim but surprisingly spacious. At the front, you have a zipped pocket for those frequently used items, while inside there’s a key clip, mesh slip pockets, and a padded divider that’ll protect your small devices. What impresses me most is the expansion gusset that grows as you put more into the bag.
Material: Woven Fabric From Recycled Materials, Environmentally Certified Leather | Size: 20.5cm x 6cm 16.5cm | Compartments: 3
Unless you’re lucky enough to wear what you want during work hours, the weekend is when your sartorial shackles are truly cut free. And I’m not just talking about swapping shoes for sneakers. Your choice of cool man purses can change too—giving you the opportunity to show off a little more personality and forward-thinking style.
My choice is this messenger from Kenzo. Patterned with a recurring print of the brand’s logo, it’s made from lightweight tech-twill that’ll often leave you wondering if you left your bag at home. Open it up and you’ll discover two separate compartments you can fill with everything you need for the day.
Material: 100% Tech-twill | Size: 15cm x 24cm | Compartments: 1
An everyday bag should be functional and roomy enough to hold the essentials you require. These are the non-negotiables. But I also believe it needs to look the part and be versatile enough to wear with the majority of your wardrobe. This one from Porter-Yoshida & Co. can lend itself to a sweatsuit, or your favorite flannel shirt and jeans.
It’s inspired by military styles and made from a lightweight nylon that has a seriously soft handle. In terms of storage, there’s two zipped pockets on the outside, plus a roomy interior big enough to fit your phone, wallet, and keys. There’s also a detachable pouch that can be used when you want to lighten the load.
Material: 100% Nylon | Size: 22.5cm x 4cm 12.5cm | Compartments: 3
The best man purse for work must be as stylish as it is practical. After all, carrying around your office essentials should be a pleasure—not a job in itself. And if you want to be the sharpest dresser on your team, give your accessory collection a promotion with this portfolio bag from Smythson.
It may only feature a single compartment, but it’s all you’ll need to keep your laptop safe. There’s also three internal slip pockets that’s perfect for credit cards, presentation notes, and cash for the birthday whip-round.
Material: 100% Leather | Size: 34.5cm x 5.5cm 26.5cm | Compartments: 2
What To Look For In The Best Man Purses
Style
To find the best man purse, you must first know the different options available. Typically speaking, a man purse is a small zipped bag that is carried using a crossbody strap. You can also find larger styles such as the messenger or satchel. Which one you choose will be determined by personal preference and the size you require to carry your belongings.
Size
While man purses are often thought of as wallets on steroids, we’re actually talking about most bags for the male species. This means there are multiple sizes available. To understand which is best for you, consider what you want to store in it. If you’re only planning to carry your keys and phone, keep it small. Otherwise, you may need to think bigger.
Compartments
Do you have heaps of stuff to carry around? Roomy interiors are great for keeping lots of things to hand, but they can become a fiddly mess when it comes to finding what you want fast. For fuss-free storage and ultimate organization, look out for man purses with multiple compartments and pockets.
Final verdict
Your search for the best man purse should soon be coming to a seriously stylish conclusion. With a bunch of personally-approved options now on your radar, it’s time to pick your favorite. If you’re still not entirely sure which one that is, may I suggest Rains’ fanny pack?
Suitable for casual or formal outfits, it’ll keep your essentials safe with its waterproof shell and multiple pockets. The storage space is plentiful, plus you can wear it around your waist or across your body.
FAQ
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Thanks to a growing acceptance that men care about their appearance too, cool man purses become an essential part of every guy’s wardrobe. Better yet, there are lots of versions to choose from, varying in price, size, and style.
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The rise in popularity of the man purse is unsurprising. As well as providing a great way to keep your daily essentials close, they can add extra interest and style to your everyday fits. They’re also more conveniently sized than larger bags such as the tote or duffel and offer greater versatility than the trusty backpack.
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