Father’s Day is next week and now seems the perfect time to address the ongoing debate: man purse or satchel? In the movie The Hangover, comedian Zach Galifianakis plays Alan, the slightly off brother-of- the-bride-to-be. As they approach the elevator on their way to the infamous Vegas bachelor party, Bradley Cooper questions Alan about actually wearing a man purse. “It’s a satchel” Alan responds, “Indiana Jones wears one,” to which Bradley Cooper responds, “So does Joy Behar.”

So which is it – manly satchel or man purse?  In the past men carried attaché cases for business but with the rise in laptop computers in recent years laptop cases have taken the lead. Companies like Levenger and Tumi, who specialize in professional leather goods have seen a definite decline in the good old fashioned “hard-sided briefcase.” Softer, gentler multipurpose and messenger style bags have replaced the old-style carrying cases, at least mainly with men under 50. According to The Satchel Pages, “the briefcase is dead.”

WiseGeek.com addresses the situation by interchanging the two words and describing how men use the bags and how designers downplay the look by using darker more subtle colors. Any embellishments are usually company logos.

With the advent of Apple’s iPad, Gizmodo.com asks the question, “Does the iPad Make a Man Purse Okay Now?” The size of the smallish iPad is too small for a laptop case yet too big to put in your pocket.

One thing is for sure, without taking a stance one way or another, just about all of the major department stores carry bags for men as well as companies like Fossil, Oakley and eBags. There are plenty of bags to choose from and just as in women’s handbags prices range from under $50 to the sky’s the limit.

Well, if this hasn’t resolved the issue for you, take heart – there is actually a facebook page that you can join that will link you with others who share your voice. Take your iPad out of your man purse and log in to it’s not a man purse it’s a satchel.

From Alan from The Hangover to Indiana Jones and in-between, if men want to carry their belongings around in whatever type of carryall they choose, why not? It’s only fair that they get a glimpse of what women go through every day. Word of advice to men who carry a purse or a satchel: make sure your shoes match your bag!

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