For metrosexuals, man-bags are in

1.00pm - By OLIVER DUFF

Forget fast cars, flashy watches and i-pods, the latest must-have accessory for the young, affluent male is a handbag.

Despite years of sniggering over the continental male's fondness for leather clutch accessories, the 'man-bag' - as they have been dubbed - are now so popular that one in four professional young men in Britain bought one last year.

The in-demand accessory ranges from satchel-style shoulder bags to tiny across-the-body 'gun-bags', big enough only for a phone and a wallet.

The typical buyer is a comfortably off, 25-34-year-old, pre-family male, according to consumer analyst Mintel, which believes there is "significant potential for growth" in the market.

As the average price of bags has declined, demand has grown: sales jumped from £44 million ($79.4 million) in 1997 to £62 million in 2002, and continue to soar.

UK high street stores such as Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, Gap and Topman all stock manbags in bulk.

H&M near Oxford Circus in London has a wall covered in manbags of all shapes, sizes and colours; the company has seen "very, very fast" sales, which it expects will accelerate.

John Lewis, Debenhams and even Marks & Spencer have got in on the act: the latter reports a 10 per cent increase in sales in two years.

Asda has just introduced them to its George clothing range. "We're seeing huge growth," says Eddie Knevett, brand manager for leather, luxury and shoes at House of Fraser.

"Men's bags are now established, it is just part of the casualisation in menswear - less suits, less ties, less briefcases. It has almost got like women's bags with cult trends - the current 'it' bag is Eastwood by Mulberry, which retails at £695 ($1876).

"We've seen up to 30 per cent growth in men's bags this year, and the market will carry on growing because the generation carrying these bags will continue to do so. They are more comfortable, practical and lighter than a briefcase."

Bernard Thomas, menswear buyer for Browns, the upmarket clothing store in London's West End, says that men "are carrying bags more than ever".

"Sometimes it's from necessity, but there's also an element of having one for show - an identifiable, or at least identifiably expensive, bag." He warns against buying one "much smaller than half of A4".

Tim Nixon, a 23-year-old strategy consultant from Shepherds Bush, west London, owns two man-bags: a small, brown, leather satchel, £130 from Selfridges, for work documents and a laptop; and a 10x10in green canvas pouch, £15 from H&M, for casual use.

"I use it like a proper handbag for my wallet, phone, keys, pens and music player," he explains.

"It's good for taking shopping, on holiday, to the park and the pub.

"They are a metrosexual accessory. A briefcase is too stuffy, but if you don't have a bag you end up wandering around looking like a kangaroo, with all this stuff sticking out of your pocket, which is insecure and uncomfortable."

He admits he "could have a more masculine bag", but "would rather have a fashion accessory". "My girlfriend refers to them as my gay bags, but really she likes them. I'm actively looking for my third - something more smart-casual."

Fashion experts remain divided on whether man-bags are a desirable marriage of style and function, or just 'posh bum bags' and a passing fad.

"They shouldn't be worn without irony," said Wayne Hemingway, founder of Red or Dead label. "If you're going to be ironically cool, then the thing is to go for a German-Swiss look - in winter, wearing one with a pair of slacks, shiny shoes and a tight leather jacket, and in summer, worn with socks and sandals.

But it's a bit risky unless you can carry it off. "The fashionistas are wearing them thinking it looks good and it's the height of fashion, just because the likes of Prada are doing it. But Prada have a healthy sense of humour sometimes.

"I keep seeing a lot of lads who are not doing it with a healthy sense of humour and need to develop one pretty quickly. They should take a rain check on this."

- INDEPENDENT