IYBC Trend Report #8: The Pochette/Portfolio

CONCEPT… When dressed in your sickest threads, who wants the ill-flattering bulge of a wallet or keys ruining an otherwise perfect silhouette? Not us here at IYBC, and since everything we do has a pretense of luxury, what better way to tote your absolute essentials than via a chic and fashion-forward Document Holder/Pochette/Portfolio. IYBC believes that this is just the thing that a young man on-the-go needs in his wardrobe, be it for those nights on the town, important business meetings, or to simply hold your small leather goods in a bigger duffel or tote.

ON THE RUNWAY… Many designers utilize this handy and conveniently sized item, as it styles perfectly with most uptown or “dressed-up” looks. For this edition of the IYBC Trend Report, we picked Dries Van Noten and Dunhill as featured designers, considering neither brands have even once been mentioned on this blog (but that’s about to change).

STYLING… As is apparent via these Runway shots, a Pochette isn’t exactly made to be rocked with a pair of salvage denim and kicks, but hey, if you can pull it off, kudos to you. As per Runway standards, most of the looks I’ve seen are very clean-cut, fresh, and dressy ensembles, and an interesting thing to note is that all the models are rocking these with dress pants, which definitely pushes me to categorize the Pochette along with my Gucci tie clip and Louis Vuitton cuff-links: for formal occasions only. However, some luxury cotton tees and windbreakers are also seen, meaning there’s definitely a play-full and luxe-casual feel to them, something that IYBC absolutely loves.

OPTIONS/BRANDS…I found out very quickly that many designers, both high-end and not, carry their own variation of this piece. As per my wardrobe, my first was my dad’s vintage one, and for my second, I upped the standards just a tad, by opting for the Taiga Leather version offered by Louis Vuitton. Herms also has a now-discontinued Jige to choose from, which can be purchased off well credited re-sale websites, for luxury items that have been gently pre-usedloved.

SMALL SIZE…As many of you are wondering, the relatively small size can be somewhat daunting I know. Especially if your a SLG-whore like myself, (that’s Small Leather Goods), I honestly tackled with the idea of having such a small, and sometimes flat, single compartment to house all my essentials, but now I see the Pochette for what it really is; a sleek, well-made leather carrier that forces SLG-whores like me to tone down and literally just pack exactly what I need for the day.

To your right is a shot from 00o00’s Jige, and as one can clearly see, there is plenty that can be held, if tactfully (and tastefully) packed.

Oh, and don’t confuse yourself and be calling this the latest man-bag or clutch: What, one asks, did men do before the invention of the manbag? – wander about the place with armfuls of stuff? No. There were simply bags, some of which are made for men”. Jamie Millar, from Style Spy, sharing his thoughts on the “man bag” term.