I guess Jane mentioned about Rami's bag in one of her poems.
I remember seeing these kinds of bags in vogue, when I was growing up. Among Men!!!
:-D
In late 80s and early 90s, this was a fashion among some office going guys (those who were not using that quintessential briefcase).
I have often seen this with same era's share bazar crowd which at that time was mostly Gujrati and Marwadi. I lived in a Gujrati prominent area in Mumbai.
It was funny to watch Rami using that. I have never seen women using them. But I have seen women in village having a different kind of fashion sense than in city.