i think in general men's fashion is more expensive (not that this is an excuse) because while there's more interest in it now, it's still relatively new. kwim?
with women's you could do so much, but there's only so much that a man would wear
and purses or bags? higher end? they better be business like!
that's changing of course, but again, this is just the beginning. there was a time the word metro wasn't being used mainstream and that wasn't so long ago.
so it's more expensive i think because the men's version (unless it's the exact same as the women's..i'm assuming from what you posted the straps are shorter? and maybe a few other "details" that makes it more for men then women...) probably didn't have as many in production then women's because the demand is not as high.
or maybe it's just a mistake.
but it sounds like you have a plan! i think shortening the straps for 400$ is well worth it.