Manbag Dreams with Coarse Cloth

Let's immediately address the elephant in the room, yo. Man bags have had an image problem. For years, they've been coded as either too precious or too tactical, or somewhere in that awkward middle ground where function dies and fashion gets self-conscious. But don't your phone, shades, keys, wallet, pods, knife, notebook, gummies, and other daily survival items deserve better than being crammed into sagged pockets or slung into some mass-produced crossbody that looks like it was comped from the last marketing conference you attended?

Enter the Scout bag from indy brand Coarse Cloth. This is a unique, soft, texturally-appealing bag that is perfect for everyday carry. This isn't some apologetic accessory, and it ain't no computer bag. It's a mobile hub for your everyday carry, a vibey piece, and a masterclass in all-American craft, all wrapped up into 10 inches of thickly felted, hand-knit textile.

Coarse Cloth's Scout measures 10 inches high by 11 inches wide by 4 inches deep. Substantial enough to carry your essentials without making you look like you're headed to a sleepover. The flame multistripe pattern that they hooked us up with is bold without screaming, a gradient of warm tones that plays equally well with raw denim and a tailored blazer.

Where the Scout also stands out is is in the build. This bag is thickly felted, which means whatever mobile tech or precious gems you're hauling get a protective barrier that actually protects. The interior is lined with GOTS-certified organic canvas, which is soft, durable, and reassuringly substantial. There's a dedicated 7-inch zipper pocket for anything you need secure, plus a specific phone pocket so you're not fishing around like a tourist looking for directions.

Highlights:

-Italian Merino wool

-Custom-made nickel hardware, finished with lacquer for durability, gives everything a refined, considered aesthetic.

-The adjustable brown leather strap extends up to 39 inches

-Leather straps and trim are made from vegetable-tanned, English bridle leather from Wickett and Craig of America

-If you're particular about your carry style, Coarse Cloth will swap in a black strap or adjust the length on request. As you can see, that's what we did, and it's a recommended look.

Every bag is made by Joan Doll in small batches using an antique Dubied knitting machine. This is a piece of equipment that requires skill, patience, and a particular kind of devotion to analog craft. This isn't algorithm-optimized production. Each Scout takes more than a week to complete, from the initial knit to the final stitch. That kind of intensive, hands-on work is vanishingly rare (and coveted) in 2025, and it shows in every detail.

Joan's background (with fine arts, textile design, and years at the loom for companies like Anthropologie and Craftex Mills) shows in the finished product. The Scout feels contemporary and timeless, like a good pair of selvedge or some classic Red Wings. It's made in the USA with materials and methods that prioritize longevity over disposability, craft over convenience.

Rethinking the Man Bag

The Scout challenges the false choice between utility and style. Too often, functional bags look like tactical gear, while stylish options sacrifice the pockets, organization, and durability you actually need. The Scout splits that difference beautifully. It's organized enough to serve as your mobile command center while maintaining a visual presence that elevates rather than apologizes.

At $395, the Scout isn't an impulse purchase. But consider what you're getting: a handmade, small-batch piece from an American artisan, built with techniques and materials that ensure decades of use, designed to actually improve your daily carry rather than just accommodate it. In a world of disposable accessories and algorithmic aesthetics, that kind of intentionality is worth celebrating. And carrying.

The man bag has been misunderstood long enough. With the Scout, Coarse Cloth proves it can be a mobile hub, a design object, and a daily companion that makes you reconsider what's possible when craft meets function. Your everyday carry deserves this level of attention. So do you.

Although we fully advocate for your utilization of el manbag, Coarse Cloth also has plenty of offerings more suitable to the lady in your life, as well as a variety of styles for you. Check em' out.