Boys in Bags: Charlie Rincon

The growing presence of handbags in menswear signals a significant shift in fashion’s long-standing gender codes. What was once strictly confined to womenswear is gradually being embraced by men, both on the runway and on the streets. Encouraged by luxury houses and carried by style leaders, celebrities, and athletes alike, handbags are no longer seen as an eccentric choice, but a statement of confidence, personal style, and practicality. It comes as no surprise that we are witnessing a new era in which fashion’s most enduring accessories are reaching a new audience.

This new era speaks to a shift that goes beyond celebrity influence; it reflects a broader cultural movement in which bags are no longer exclusive to a specific gender. Instead, they are defined by function and personal style.

For fashion stylist and editor Charlie Rincon (@charlierincs), this shift feels both inevitable and overdue. “I grew up constantly hearing that purses were ‘for girls,’ which never made sense to me,” he says. “Even as a kid, I understood the practicality of a bag. Yet there was still a sense of embarrassment when my mom would ask me to hold hers, gripping the top handles tightly, arm extended, as if my body language could distance me from the object.”

Now what once felt awkward or shameful has become something worth reclaiming. A great bag isn’t just functional, but also adds personality and sharpens an outfit. 

Style expert Charlie Rincon curated a selection of five men’s handbags for Spring 2026.  From effortless, everyday styles for those new to carrying a bag, to bold statement pieces designed for the fashion-forward dresser.

Dior Normandie Bag

Dior’s ability to balance couture elegance with everyday practicality is beautifully expressed in the Normandie tote. Rooted in the House’s refined heritage, this design is reimagined in a way that feels effortlessly functional, a bag that is meant to be lived in, making it the ideal entry point for the man who is interested in introducing a handbag to their wardrobe.

Reimagined with a supple construction, the Normandie is crafted in rich, deep brown suede and elevated with thoughtful, signature details. The Dior Normandie eyelets lend a subtle edge, while the adjustable leather strap with a CD buckle can be worn closed for a more structured look or left open for an easy, relaxed feel. 

Graphic side construction, top handles, and CD signature feet further highlight the bag’s meticulous craftsmanship. Inside, the spacious interior is lined in tonal cowhide leather and thoughtfully organized with a slip pocket and a zip pocket. includes an adjustable and removable leather strap, allowing it to be carried by hand, worn over the shoulder, or styled crossbody with ease.

Loewe Madrid Bag

Loewe has long mastered the art of innovation, craft, and the unique modern design that intersects them. The Madrid bag first appeared on the Spring/Summer 2025 runway under the direction of Jonathan Anderson and feels like a natural evolution of the house’s leather predecessors, such as the Puzzle and the Flamenco.

Featuring a structured yet supple trapeze silhouette and adjustable handles, the Madrid is crafted from supple grained calfskin, offering structure without stiffness and a softness that only improves with wear. The signature Anagram Pebble magnetic closure adds a subtle sculptural touch that feels unmistakably Loewe, while a zip closure keeps everyday essentials secure.

The adjustable straps add significant versatility to its design, allowing the bag to be worn as a shoulder bag, crossbody, or carried by its top handle. It includes an adjustable shoulder strap with a leather extension, a nappa lambskin lining, one internal zipped pocket, and an internal card slot for easy organization. Finished with Anagram Pebble metal feet, every detail feels intentional, giving the Madrid bag an air of cleverness that slips seamlessly into daily life.

Delvaux Brillant Tempo

Delvaux is one of those true “if you know, you know” brands, the kind that doesn’t need logos or overt branding. Instead, it lets its exceptional quality and impeccable craftsmanship speak for themselves. Founded in Brussels in 1829, Delvaux’s artisanal heritage has been carefully preserved and continually refined across its ateliers, from the historic l’Arsenal workshop in Belgium to its ateliers in France.

The Brillant Tempo is crafted from Allure calf leather, a material developed exclusively for Delvaux. It’s beautifully supple to the touch, with a tight, even grain that preserves the hide’s natural fine lines, which perfectly complement the bag’s flexible silhouette and understated elegance.

What truly sets this bag apart is its thoughtful dual construction, which allows it to be worn open or closed and carried by hand or on the shoulder. Soft, lightweight, and easy to wear, it’s the kind of luxury bag that is refined, practical, and fits effortlessly into everyday life.

Thom Browne Hector Bag

The Hector bag celebrates a decade of Thom Browne’s distinctive approach to fashion, marking its 10-year anniversary since its runway debut in 2016. Heralded as one of fashion’s most famous dog muses, the bag draws inspiration from (and is named after) Browne’s own dachshund, Hector, whose likeness sparked the original design.

Blending personal charm with the designer’s signature sartorial sensibility, the structured Hector bag makes a bold statement by taking the form of man’s best friend, more specifically, a dachshund.

Its precise lines and quirky, sculptural design embody Thom Browne’s sharp, fashion-forward aesthetic. Since its debut, the style has evolved across a range of materials and has gone on to inspire the designer’s renowned collection of animal-shaped bags.

The Hector remains the boldest of the mix: a niche yet iconic statement piece that carries attitude, whimsy, and a strong sense of belonging for those who wear Thom Browne.

Bottega Veneta Barbara Tote

The Barbara tote captures everything Bottega Veneta does best: Italian craftsmanship, an instinctive understanding of modern luxury, and its renowned intrecciato technique. Introduced as part of Louise Trotter’s debut collection, this new silhouette comes with a sense of newfound confidence, not only because of its size, which is a statement on its own, but also its classic leather finish and clean lines, which give it a rich, masculine edge.

The structured Barbara features a paneled body, balanced by elegant top handles, and is anchored with discreet metal components finished in the new Brass Vibrato tone. The result is a bag that feels architectural yet effortless, with clean lines that highlight the beauty of its construction rather than overpower it.

A seamlessly integrated zip closure runs across two softly collapsing panels, adding functionality while maintaining the clarity of the tote’s silhouette. Inside, the leather-lined interior is thoughtfully designed with a single spacious compartment, a zip pocket, and a branded mirror tucked into a leather cover.

Small details that speak to Bottega Veneta’s attention to craft. Refined, tactile, and quietly confident, the Barbara tote is a modern expression of Bottega Veneta’s enduring philosophy: luxury defined by feel, form, and impeccable execution.