ONE MORNING Last October, 24-year-old Maynard Villaflores set his alarm clock for 5:55 a.m. Snoozing wasn’t an option: At 6 a.m., New York brand Telfar launched a limited number of its bags online coveted unisex handbags. “In two minutes, the bags [would] be sold,” said Mr. Villaflores, a social media manager in Portland, Oregon. He grabbed a mini olive number which he now wears on his chest. “The rush and [hype around the drop] reminds me to buy Jordans,” he said.
Mr Villaflores is not the only man to compare sacks to kicks. Over the past decade, men have been feverishly collecting sneakers, reveling in exclusive styles. Some brandish them on the sidewalks while others consider them as investments, keeping them fresh until resale. Rare models fetch staggering sums on online markets like StockX and at auction. (Last year, Sotheby’s sold Kanye West’s Nike Air Yeezy 1 prototype for $1.8 million.) Because of their athletic and streetwear connotations, “the sneakers have helped break the stigma” that an interest in fashion was inherently feminine, said Nordstrom menswear Jian DeLeon. director. “[Now], there’s nothing wrong with guys obsessing over accessories. Recently, another masculine accessory has begun to inspire sneaker fervor: shoulder bags that cling to the torso like a baby monkey. Sold by brands like Fendi, Prada and Stüssy, these bags convey as much craftsmanship and momentum as a fresh pair of Salomons.