The fashion conscious and the generally observant will notice that Chinese women aren’t the only ones carrying handbags in China: men carry them too. Back in the 1980’s when China first opened it’s doors, government officials used to carry slim document bags under their arms. Men began to carry them in Hong Kong films and the fashion grew over the years. In the nearly thirty years since then, China’s growing affluence has meant a growing middle class of fashion conscious people. (Herald Tribune)

One of the most fashionable items for men recently is a handbag. Chinese men are discovering what women the world over have known for a long time: a handbag is a convenient way not just to carry things, but also to display a label, and thus your own affluence.

Nor are Chinese men alone. As a recent Wall Street Journal article indicates (Wall Street Journal), men everywhere are trading in their briefcases for messenger bags. Or, if we care to be less careful with our language, purses.

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