Chinese men wear handbags to be masculine

It has transpired that nearly half of all luxury handbags sold in China are bought by (or discreetly for) men.

In an LA Times piece covering the trend, the president of Coach Retail International said that men represent 45 percent of the US$1.2 billion market. 

'Murse-y' me.

The bags, known as shoubao in Mandarin, are often used in business meetings for their professional image. In this traditionally male-dominated business environment, an LV monogram or a pretty pattern on a Gucci bag apparently goes a long way. 

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"For Chinese, it's a show of masculinity," said Zhang Lianhai, a 33 year old marketing executive, to the LA Times. "You won't be taken seriously if you look too casual." 

While a Westerner might feel a little shy about shouldering a 'murse' (men make up just 7 percent of the U.S. luxury purse market), the Chinese proudly boast their totes. 

"It's a way of representing where you stand," said Wang, an insurance executive. "It makes people think you could potentially work for a big company." 

Bulging pockets are a potential source of this fashion epidemic, with China's economic growth leading to more smart phones and thick(er) stacks of cash for the elite to carry around.

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According to a couple of executives interviewed, those climbing the corporate ladder better start saving up for the hefty price tag that comes with each murse. Get ready to fork over US$1,000 or more, or half a months' rent in Beijing.

In the meantime, interns looking for a more affordable option need only visit the local shanzhai market.