LONGCHAMP PARIS
713 Madison Ave.
212-223-1500
Like nylon socks with loafers, the man purse has long been an object of ridicule and derision, sported mostly by Eurotrashy guys who still blow-dry their hair. But in the past couple of years, it’s become much more widely accepted—helped by its kinship with the manly messenger bag and the fact that men have begun to see that having a place to stow the cell, the PDA, and the iPod is kind of handy. Naturally, the best man purses in the city come from a French company—Longchamp, of the useful and colorful folding nylon totes. The men’s styles are compact, devoid of flashy hardware, and made in subtle black or brown matte leather. If it’s too embarrassing to think purse, try to pass it off as a small briefcase. But why not just embrace the trend?