Last weekend I was chatting online to LeGeeque when I mentioned that I was in the market for a messenger bag. Immediately I was introduced to the idea of a satchel and I am now lusting after one. Not just any satchel.
I want a leather satchel with a strap that I can sling cross body like a messenger bag. I want something that looks like I stepped out of 1950’s Enid Blyton adventure books.
I’m not about to go back to school but when LeGeeque directed me to The Cambridge Satchel Company
, I fell in lust with the leather satchels on offer. This is just what the doctor ordered – a perfect vintage preppy look.
The thing to note however is that these leathers satchels are stated as made for school children. They are actually made to be filled with books and homework and carried to school! I love that! Look at how the describe the 13″ and 14″ satchels:-
13″ Perfect for children under 8 years old who don’t need to carry a school bookbag within their satchel. Also for a slightly bigger adult bag. 13″ along top, 9″ height, 3″ depth.
14″ This will hold A4 sheets. The perfect choice for children aged 7 and up that need to accommodate a school bookbag within their school bag. This is a very versatile satchel and will suit most purposes.
Of course by now it would be appropriated by the Yummy Mummies for themselves instead of for their darling children, because Mummy would want something preppy and cute too 😛
I was contemplating either a 13″ or a 14″ which would put me in the same age category of either under 8 or 7 and up. Hmm… suits me fine! 😛 But after whipping out the tape measure I’m thinking perhaps the 11″ might be more suited for my frame especially if I’m looking for something I can carry on weekends and holidays but it looks a bit thin.
The red bag I’ve pictured above is what The Cambridge Satchel Company calls a “batchel” – a satchel with a handle. Might be a little more adult eh? Like a briefcase but not. In red leather, it is serious… but not. Ah! The confusion I can just see in the eyes of the people who see me carrying it! Makes me want it even more.
You can even get it embossed with your name or initials. I probably won’t if I get one, because I personally think it spoils the look a little and I don’t like having my name all over. I wouldn’t mind it on the side maybe.
Based on the picture at the site, the interior is just one large compartment inside as with most satchels – its made for carrying books after all. Apparently the bigger sizes e.g. 14″ and 15″ can easily fit a laptop or netbook. Personally I carry enough around to do my back serious injury without carrying a laptop so that isn’t quite relevant for me.
I have a question mark about how heavy it is empty. After all, its full leather and full leather bags can weigh a ton. That said, newer leather bags tend to be lighter so I can’t quite say. I have passed up numerous gorgeous bags because they weigh a lot when empty and my poor shoulders can’t take more abuse.
So to end my gushing, I can tell you that The Cambridge Satchel Company ships internationally (GBP20 for 1 bag to Asia – ouch!) and the price of the bags range from GBP66 – GBP85 depending on size and design. Not all that expensive really.
So I’m dithering between the 11″ or 13″ Red or Vintage Brown or even the Green maybe? Or Perhaps the Red Batchel? Any thoughts?
Or maybe I could just wait and see if I could pick it up or get it picked up in Hong Kong (Lane Crawford) or London (hopefully soon) 🙂
If you own or have seen these satchels and batchels from The Cambridge Satchel Company I’d love if you could leave a comment with your thoughts on it – how you like it, whether its convenient and how big a bag you think would suit a 5′ 3″ frame 🙂
I need some feedback before I whip out my credit card and do some serious damage 😛
Paris B
Nikki says
April 25, 2010 at 11:21 amThe bag brought me back down to memory lane, that is so cute! I haven’t tried any of these bags but it looks comfortable!
ParisB says
April 26, 2010 at 9:49 amI know! Cute is the operative word. Sigh… I really need to see these in person before deciding.
Lynn says
April 25, 2010 at 11:41 amI’m usually a complete sucker for red bags.. but the green looks absolutely yummy! it’s such a perfect, crayon-y colour. 🙂
ParisB says
April 26, 2010 at 9:50 amI think the green one would look great in the smaller version. It would be so cute! 😀
boogie says
April 25, 2010 at 12:46 pmI love messengers bags! Almost all my bags are messenger bags. These are too cute to boot and my grabby hands are heading in the direction of the blue one in the background. If you do decide to get one, please take a photo wearing it :DDD
ParisB says
April 26, 2010 at 9:50 amIF I get one you’ll be sure that I’ll take lots of pictures 😀
yuki says
April 25, 2010 at 1:11 pmahhh… It looks so pretty~~ but if u plan on carrying heavy stuff, u shudn’t use messenger bags cuz it’ll be bad for your back, shoulders, etc which is y students shud use backpacks eventhough they aren’t very fashionable… hehe… I remember my schol bag used to weigh a ton!
I like the red one! pretty pretty~
ParisB says
April 26, 2010 at 9:51 amYupyup! From personal experience, backpacks are the way to go for carrying heavy things. You need the weight balanced on BOTH shoulders or you end up lopsided. I always carried backpacks in school up till university (it was the rage then whew!) and I still travel in a backpack sometimes. The messenger bag I’d probably use for everyday or when I’m roaming a new city. I think that would be fun 🙂
Tine says
April 25, 2010 at 1:21 pmI was telling LeGeeque how similar these are to the red school bags in Japan. Very old school, very Enid Blyton. LOVE it!
I like the red batchel. In case the bag’s heavy, you can always carry it like a briefcase 🙂
ParisB says
April 26, 2010 at 9:52 amThat’s what I’m thinking about the batchel too. Only problem is I think 15″ is just too big for me 🙁 and I’m not quite into briefcases – reminds me too much of a corporate culture I’d rather not be in 😉
liesl says
April 25, 2010 at 1:42 pmI love messenger bags and these look adorable. However, my ideal messenger is light and has a softer look. These look a bit on the stiff side and my concern is that it can be heavy. Before you decide, maybe you should email them and check on the weight of these bags. My favourites out of these are red, purple and yellow!
ParisB says
April 26, 2010 at 9:53 amI did notice online that those who bought it mentioned it was stiff and it keeps its stiffness. I guess that’s something to consider. Perhaps it might be better then in a smaller design. I was planning to email them – we’ll see how it goes 😉
terry says
April 25, 2010 at 2:17 pmi really like the red one =]
and it complements ur red lips too =)
ParisB says
April 26, 2010 at 9:53 amHaha! That’s true eh? 😉
kahani says
April 25, 2010 at 4:01 pmI absolutely love satchels! Mom just bought me the most perfect one, with lots of compartments, in brown leather. Usually for satchels I have a thing for brown leather as it ages so nicely and looks better as it grows older. More picturesque and adventurish anyway. But those satchels in red and blue do look tempting! Argh!
ParisB says
April 26, 2010 at 9:55 amOh how lovely of your mom! Are you using it for work? Brown satchels are perfect for channeling academia and adventure eh? In a slouchier design I might go for that too. But since these are stiff I’m thinking something in colour would be great 🙂
Kahani says
April 26, 2010 at 3:02 pmI’ll post it on Frocking sometime. It’s not like the cambridge satchels, it’s more the size of an upright netbook with a plain overflap and lots of pocketses. Great size for travel. I just pinned a dragonfly on it (its ok I plan to make full use of the two tiny holes I poked) so it looks less blank!
LeGeeque says
April 25, 2010 at 4:12 pmThese are COMPLETELY lightweight and don’t weigh anything. If weight is your concern, you’ve nothing to worry about. BUT, it is a little stiff.
I’m going to put my order in for one soon 🙂
ParisB says
April 26, 2010 at 9:55 amThat’s awesome! I’ll wait till yours arrives then decide hehe… how lightweight is lightweight?
irenekay says
April 25, 2010 at 4:12 pmLooks yummy but i reckon it’s gonna be bit heavy as it’s Leather… plus it’ll be bit inconvenient to unhook the 2 buckle every time you open it (like LV Saumur) unless it comes with those magnetic flap…. other than that, very English Prep look!!!
ParisB says
April 26, 2010 at 9:56 amThat certainly is a thought – can I handle the inconvenience? Hmm… I read some people online who bought it making this comment too.
yl says
April 25, 2010 at 6:01 pmi have the smallest size satchel in bright yellow and i love it. the leather is awesome and its super well made. but as the prev commenter mentioned its a bit troublesome to buckle/unbuckle all the time. i always leave it half buckled which works well enough for me (:
ParisB says
April 26, 2010 at 9:57 amAhhhh!! Someone who owns these! Any chance of sharing if its heavy (since its leather) and how it wears? e.g. is it very stiff, how much fits into the small one etc. I think I can live with the buckles hehe…
12ms says
April 25, 2010 at 10:29 pmI like the green one! How much is it after conversion?
ParisB says
April 26, 2010 at 9:57 amI’m not sure what the current exchange rate is or where you live. Try using xe.com for a rough guide
Joy Chuah says
April 25, 2010 at 11:20 pmI’m in love with the Red…vintage brown looks reli classy too..
after converting,they’re not that expensive really considering i’ve bought one bag for double the price b4..hehe…
Paris, you’re really tempting me to get one…
I may..hahahaha…
ParisB says
April 26, 2010 at 9:58 amOh!! IF you do get it (before I do hehe) do share with me your thoughts on it ok? I agree. At current exchange rates its not a crazy wallet busting price 🙂
innerchild says
April 25, 2010 at 11:57 pmWow! I wished I had found this company when I was in primary-middle-high school! I was dreaming for a bag like this. I must get one. Actually, this type of bag is in style right now, along with the saddle bag. 😀 Thanks for this post, Paris! I love your bag posts.
ParisB says
April 26, 2010 at 9:59 amDon’t I wish I was preppier in school too! 😉 Thanks innerchild. I’m glad someone enjoys reading about bags too!
luffy says
March 10, 2011 at 8:43 amhey, im just thinking about buying the 11” red one. does anyone know how big is it? will it be too small to put in anything? and is the bag heavy?