I've just got to out me here. I bought a really small messenger bag last saturday (I wanted to replace the one I use for going to work). Due to the grey color and the print, it doesn't acutally look like a purse when worn by me. If my wife would wear it, I would say that it very much looks like a purse
In the end, I think it is one, but it fits my needs and doesn't look too bad when I lug it around.