Not effeminate at all. Look up reporter bags, smaller than a messenger bag. Classy, not effeminate. Mostly older men wear them in the UK (I’m on my third) whereas the younger men wear cross-body sports-type bags. Most majors make them. I can completely under the rise because of the increase in phone size. Phone + wallet + headphones + tissues, sanitizers, and a mini Fulton umbrella. Then I’m set :)

Well, I know what a reporter bag is but that's not what I'm talking about. I didn't describe it very well. Usually they're "fanny pack" size, but with a shoulder strap. Very popular in the Philippines, for instance. Not worn so much as a fashion statement, but more as an anti-theft contingency when travelling in crowded spaces or public transportation because they are small enough to swing around and wear the bag across your chest.

I think I know what you mean - the cross-body bags. Do they run diagonal with the bag somewhere across the chest? They're popular among teenage males in the UK these days.

as an expat living in SE Asia (KL) I think it is because masculinity is not defined by ones clothing here. I mean, you are a masculine he-man if you have a good business, if you have big family, but the clothes you wear are no more about your masculinity than your phone wallpaper is.

This is probably also because so many clothes are made here, its demystified.

A bit late to the party and almost apropos a separate topic, but Hong Kong billionaire Jimmy Lai rocks Addidas trackies with a shirt and sports jacket: https://www.abc.net.au/cm/rimage/12541694-3x2-xlarge.jpg (via https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-08-10/why-chinas-arrest-of-...)

> I resisted the trend because it looks effeminate

To be honest, it seems that in the most of US, merely being stylish is perceived as "effeminate" (for a man).

Not only in the US, that is pretty typical for the whole American continent, even worse in Latin America as it's seen as a "gay" trait to be into fashion.

As a straight man who is into fashion for quite a few years now and who moved out of Brazil to Sweden: that culture is pretty stupid, I feel so much better and more myself when I'm able to express my personality with my clothes without the fear of being judged by someone's else prejudice... Even better that it's a common thing in Western Europe for people to be more fashionable.

I've bought some pieces that are pretty bold, I love some avant-garde male fashion pieces and being able to wear that without people batting an eye (and even getting random compliments) makes me feel pretty good, hope the Americas can get to this point because it's a very toxic masculinity trait for a whole continent to have and perpetuate.

Is it very different in Sweden than the Americas?

I'm a Norwegian guy, and I love how tolerant we turned weirdly quickly. Even the anti-abortion Christian™ Party walks in the Pride parade now.

Frankly I think most people here would still think of the random guy in a dress as non-straight, but since "nobody" cares about that here anymore, nobody cares about clothing in a negative way either.

A guy in a dress seems like a strange example. Outside of drag, it's not common to see guys wearing dresses (gay or straight).

I think the one strap shoulder bag also is more comfortable when it is extremely hot and humid: a backpack would make your entire back soaked in sweat.

Yes! I'm in the Philippines and I can't bear to wear a backpack down here at sea level, in the tropics...maybe in the mountains, but not for everyday use.