MANBAGIA!

(From top) Aparshakti Khurana; Harry Styles; Karan Johar; Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani

- POOJA DAS

EN, unlike back in the day, don't confine themselves to 'this' or 'that'. Between being tough, strong, and honorable, the traditional definitions of masculinity left little room for personal expression, especially in terms of style. But fashion has always been a powerful reflection of identity, and as the world moves toward a broader understanding of what it means to be a man, personal style is evolving alongside.

In this week of International Men's Day (Nov 19), the conversation around redefining masculinity continues to gain momentum. And leading this change is an unexpected accessory: handbags. If the iconic sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S. were set in this era, Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) might not have been mocked for some of his fashion-forward choices.

"There's definitely a rise in the popularity of handbags amongst men, especially in cities like Bengaluru. There's a growing emphasis on personal style and functionality. With the city being home to many tech professionals and entrepreneurs, men's handbags have become both a stylish and practical solution for carrying essentials," says Nikhil Dev, a designer with 15 years of experience in the fashion industry.