A$AP Rocky and how big bags invaded men's fashion

This month, fashion has decamped to Europe for men's fashion weeks. Headlining headlines was the debut of menswear at Gucci, where Sabato de Sarno set up shop as new creative director; there were hats that mimicked swimming caps at Prada; and a Fendi collection inspired by the frugality of Princess Anne. There were also huge bags.

At Prada, a model wore an oversized suit to match her oversized bag. At Fendi, models held bags the size of large takeout pizza boxes. At Gucci, meanwhile, the new “bassotto” bag is apparently inspired by De Sarno's Luce dachshund – but larger and elongated. At JW Anderson, a huge bag was decorated with a photo of a beautiful cat with green eyes. And then there was the highest-profile show at Pitti Uomo, the menswear event in Florence, where Harry Styles-backed designer SS Daley asked his models to carry a range of very large bags.< /p>

These huge bags on the runway follow a recent campaign featuring arguably one of the best-dressed men around: A$AP Rocky wearing Bottega Veneta. The fashion company used paparazzi photos of the star going about her business. In more than one case, his activity involves carrying a big bag.

You'd be forgiven for not thinking this was a big deal. Of course, men carry bags. But in recent decades, the popular belief has been that men go through life with a wallet in their back pocket and a spring in their step, while women carry the weight of the world on a single aching shoulder. So, as someone suffering from a sore shoulder, it's worth noting this moment.

Before we get carried away, regular readers will know that giant bags are also enjoying a moment in women's fashion. But these are now filled to the point where they can no longer be zipped. Men, on the other hand, seem much lighter.

The link between the bag and gender is obviously rich in symbolism. In a recent conversation with Lauren Friedman, who has written extensively on the feminist history of the handbag, she talked about the correlation between how carrying things translates to how society perceives you. Speaking of women's tendency to carry bags with overflowing items,