Papa's Brand-New Bag

The cries of frustration from men tired of cramming their pants pockets with gear--keys, Palm pilots, cell phones, iPods--have been heard by the world of fashion. "Manbags," handbags for men by designers like Montblanc, Louis Vuitton, Fendi and Marc Jacobs, are being embraced by some men as not only fashionable but practical. "Stuffing pockets ruins the lines of your pants and jackets," says celebrity stylist and TV host Robert Verdi, who uses manbags. In the recent past, manbags have met with ridicule: Jerry was teased in an episode of Seinfeld for carrying one. The latest resurgence is being greeted with fewer snickers. "[It's] a fashion accessory that helps simplify one's day-to-day life--something we can all use nowadays," says Thomas Rix, general manager for leather, Montblanc International. The company has one version, a clutch with a loop handle, called the Meisterstuck Men's Bag. Just don't call it a purse. --By Isabel C. Gonzalez