Imago in dark red cool for guys too?

[bloorwest]

Just wondering what both girls and guys thought of the dark red Imago. I like it. The wife thinks it's a bit effeminate (not that there's anything wrong with that). Considered the black as it's more in keeping with the machismo and whatnot. Your thoughts....

[Walker]

If you like it, go for it! I have not seen the black/black/steel, but it seems a bit too dark. :)

[backpack]

As I said in another post, Ballistic Nylon colors which Cardinal belongs to are Classic French Empire color, in the style of Napoleon the 1st, one of the most, if not the most masculine style in French design history.

Cardinal is a dark jewel tone red, very rich and very masculine, just a very beautiful shade.

[bloorwest]

Thanks for the considered and articulate feedback. I agree with the red being exemplary and masculine. That is not her real issue. More to do with the hemp swath across the front being too pronounced and even distracting as an appropriate accoutrement for a guy. Albeit a 54 year old one. Hate to be this insecure in my choice but I have my own doubts as well. Perhaps you would weigh-in about the hemp factor. Appreciatively, BW

[bloorwest]

I agree whole-heartedly that the black is darkness defined. It is the classic male fallback. What do you think of the hemp facade on the red? I usually do "go for it". Not sure what's holding me back on this choice. I wear a fair amount of black clothing and I may be tiring of this safe and ubiquitous choice. Thanks, BW

[Walker]

I agree whole-heartedly that the black is darkness defined. It is the classic male fallback. What do you think of the hemp facade on the red? I usually do "go for it". Not sure what's holding me back on this choice. I wear a fair amount of black clothing and I may be tiring of this safe and ubiquitous choice. Thanks, BW

I may or may nor be the best person to ask about the hemp accent on the cardinal imago. It looks lovely but not for me. I bought the Little Swift in hemp and returned it. The photo of the hemp on my computer screen looks much lighter and also looks like more hemp showed compared to the rubber. When it arrived, mit looked me more of "rubber with hint of hemp showing" rather The hemp is embedded in the rubber. I was stuck on a lighter color, more hemp showing, with just a hint of the rubber, so I returned it.

However, I think that an Imago in ballistic black/hemp (and a light colored lining) would be lovely - I will stand in line for such.

So I am long winded and not really helping. Let me try again: 1) I think that if you have inhibitions about a color, it is probably best to listen to that inner voice; 2) ad a woman, I take my hats off to men who are men enough to wear fun colors !; 3) I see men carrying their wive's purses in pink, purple, baby blue :) so you can always claim it is your wife' s :)

[TXGirl]

You can always call and request for a hemp swatch to be mailed to you :)

[WhiteStar]

I know my husband ( whose favorite color is orange - and he wears a lot of it ) would be fine with the red, he would choose it any day over black, blue or grey. He would not be happy with the hemp. Although he likes color, he likes plain and solid too.

[backpack]

You can always call and request for a hemp swatch to be mailed to you :)

I second that!

[jmachats]

I'm going to have to agree with you wife, though at the end of the day it's really about if you're comfortable with it and can pull it off. But I just got an imago and initially I was going with the Navy, Cork because even though I'm not a big cork fan, I liked the way it accented the color. However, it just started to feel a little too decorative for a man's taste and I can see the same thing going on with the cardinal hemp. The bag already looks kinda purse like which by itself is not a deal breaker but the cork/hemp decorations put it a little too in the frilly corner for my tastes.

[Tlacltme]

I LOVE the cardinal color but I've never seen the hemp in person...based just on what I can see the computer I think a guy could pull it off, but only if he was sure...and you don't sound so sure...If it were me, I would order both, load 'em up, examine them in person, and then keep the one you like best. Good luck!

[bloorwest]

To all the kind and lovely ladies who have imparted thoughtful and generous responses: thank you; you have helped a confused 50's guy with the complicated male-issues of color and style. I have been a bag wearer for around 15 years so it is more to with the color than the style. In Toronto and Montreal the wearing of bags is a complete non-issue. Seems to be more so in the States wear I rarely see them. Not sure why. I have worn bags of various colors but mainly in the male-accepted black/grey/brown range. Now I want to branch out. I'm tired of the same old. Even in the two Canadian cities that I have lived in most recently the formal black is the standard bearer and one would assume this is because it is the most accepted. To WhiteStar..my wife sounds like your husband in that she will accept a new color (within reason) but the hemp stands in the way. To backpack..your elucidation is both directive and assuring. To Walker..your encouragement regarding men who dare to wear colors and your extensive reflection was most helpful. And to TXGirl..I ordered it in red on Friday so I only have until tomorrow to make a change; so the swatch I'm afraid is out. I appreciate all. I will spend tonight over-thinking a societal problem that really is such nonsense and then make my decision. I will post later with the outcome. Again thanks.

[bloorwest]

To jmachats and Tlactme..sorry I didn't see your posts until just now. Appreciate your input and wise counsel.

[bloorwest]

UPDATE..called TB this morning and it seems the decision has been taken out of my hands. Whew! The fellow I talked to last Friday indicated the red Imago was in stock despite what the site indicated. He took the order for the red and said it would ship out by this morning, giving me the chance to change my mind about colors if I so desired. When I called today another guy told me that there were only three colors left in stock with all the rest backordered. What was left in stock was the forest green, the plum and...the black. I recounted what I had been told and it all made no sense at all. Don't know what the guy on Friday was thinking. Perhaps it was a long week for the poor fellow. Well there you have it. The saga ends with the black chosen by default. I have a few colored cords that will be hanging from an outside ring to the front pocket for my keys. This will suffice as my source of individuality. I'm a little disappointed but I will get over it. The feedback I so generously received during this overly-dramatic decision was so very much appreciated. If I intend to buy a further bag from TB in the future I will look to these forums as a trusted source of guidance. Thank you. BW

[WhiteStar]

Are you sure whoever told you there was one available didn't stash it away for you and the person you spoke with today didn't know that? I have an UltraViolet Synapse waiting to be shipped to me hiding in Katy's office until the returned Black Synapse gets back to Seattle.