It took me a little while to get into the groove of loving the satchel as an everyday work bag. I loved the first one I owned. I received a lot of compliments because for some reason, people here are afraid of wearing colourful accessories, and a red satchel was quite eye catching and different. But even with wear and tear it still feels a bit stiff. And it can’t fit a lot in there due to the stiffness and the fact its quite narrow. I didn’t quite count the Grosvenor Satchel as one because it didn’t fit in the mould. I wanted something that had an old school look – that looks like I have filled it with books and was casually slinging it over my shoulder to go to school.
And then the Radley Hutchinson Satchel came into my life. I wasn’t breaking my self-imposed bag ban, because it was partly a gift 😉 and this one was great because it was slouchy and pliable and suddenly I was back in love 🙂
But I think what I really like the most is that no one here seems to carry a satchel (that I can see). Its great! 😀
I love it that I could get togged up in formal work wear and then spoil the whole look by slinging my now slightly scratched satchel cross body and then heading off for a meeting or something similar. I get a couple of curious looks sometimes, but I’m not all that fussed because really, conformity is seriously over-rated 😛
Then, on the weekend, I could just as easily grab my satchel and go without having to switch out my bags for fear of looking like I’m overdressed. Granted, it would probably be a huge fashion faux pas to carry one to a formal dinner so one has to know just how far to push the boundaries LOL! 😀
There are a couple of high end designers famous for their satchels – the Mulberry Alexa and Proenza Schouler come to mind – but although I love my luxury and designer, satchels are one area I will not go down the designer route for. For some reason, they just don’t cut it for me because I feel a little pretentious carrying a RM6000 satchel that I’m supposed to bash around to give it that broken in look. I’m sorry if you do own one of these and think I’m being offensive. I don’t mean to be, promise. But if you do own either the Alexa or Proenza Schouler, know that I am insanely jealous anyway 😛
Do you like carrying satchels and do you own one that you especially love? Or do you think that satchels are just too casual for anything other than the weekend or on holiday? I also happen to love buckles that properly buckle, and not mere magnetic clasps. Its a personal quirk although I know of many who find it too much hassle.
Oh, and I’d rather not answer questions about what I think I’m doing in that 1st photo because I’ll be honest, I have absolutely no idea 😛 I am however now firmly put in my place to realise that I could never be a fashion blogger 😛
Paris B
I love satchels! Indiana Jones carried one. 🙂
I have a Harry Potter leather one! Yes, I am a geek.
HAHA Indiana Jones and Harry Potter in one comment – I love you Tracy! 😀 And you’re right. I think it was all the subliminal messages I got from Indy that had me wanting one 😉
Looks adorable! I love the brown color!
Me too! Its so rustic 😛
My favorite purse is kate spade’s Scout, which has a very satchel look to it. I’ve tried the classic satchels (like the Cambridge Satchel), but a lot of them are lacking linings and the time it takes to undo/redo the buckles just doesn’t work for regular use, for me. But I do so love how they look.
EEks! Yes Lindsey! I saw the Scout in the store recently and I absolutely adored it. They come in some new bright colours and I was so tempted to pick one up but had to force myself not to and pry myself away from the store 😀 The Radley one comes with a lining, as do most of the “branded” ones but not the “rustic leather” ones 🙂
I wish I was over there, we haven’t really gotten any bright colors in them this season (yet haha). I haven’t checked out any of the Radley ones, actually, I’m so picky about bags I usually only buy from places with free returns lol
You make me want to go peep at the KS Scout satchels again – there was flouro ones in the window and I was in love with the flourescent orange 😛
Ahh, okay, you guys are a year behind, then 😉 I definitely wish I was there! I missed out on getting one of them and sometimes stalk ebay and stare at them, finger hovering over the bid button. This spring so far we have a black/white floral one, one I think is ivory with coral detailing, and…maybe one more I’m forgetting. We had an awesome metallic gold one for a bit, too.
Ahh we’re never at the forefront of fashion here Hehe but that fluro range was awesome 🙂
The Radley is a dream! But then I’m biased when it comes to Radley stuff 😛 Yeah, I am carrying a Nica leather satchel right now and love it to bits except that the strap is slightly too long and whenever I have to grab something at the bottom of the bag I end up contorting myself into VERY awkward positions to reach the bottom! I know I can just go get additional holes made in the strap so that I can adjust the length so this is an illustration of how lazy I can be 😛 I carried that satchel all over during my Europe trip last year and it was the best! I could stuff everything I needed into it and I didn’t have to worry about the rain!
Haha Radley fan I see ? 😉 I looked up the Nica Satchel and oh my! I love the design! Mine is a bit long for me too and yes, if you have to reach deep into it, you can look a bit awkward. So I’m quite glad the Radley one came with a top handle like a briefcase so I can pull it up and not look so weird 😀
I guess I’m not the only one who noticed not many people carry satchels in Malaysia! I have two myself: a camel leather one bought from the Camden market and another from Longchamp.. Buckles make me feel safer than those magnetic clasped ones so I don’t mind the hassle of having to buckle / unbuckle ever so often! :p
*high5* for carrying a satchel here where no one does! Honestly, I’ve yet to spot many people carrying satchels. I’d be happy if it stays that way LOL! 😀
That’s quite nice! I don’t quite like carrying bags at my hip area though. I prefer hobos. 😀
Hi Shay, hi^5!
I already have really wide hips to begin with. haha, carrying bags at the hips makes people bump into me too much. I’d suddenly feel like a really big size woman trying to squeeze through the Singaporean crowds. =(
Hobos are my favourite too.
It can be a bother if you’re in a hurry because it can bump against the hip 😀 I used to be into hobos too but am now in a structured bag phase 😀
I am now in a chic gym cum work/work travel bag phase!
There is never 1 that meet all our needs. lol.
You’re right. We can never be satisfied thanks to all the ads and stuff around us 😀
I am with you on the point of the bag being “slouchy and pliable”! I think one of the main reasons why I am still not buying a satchel is because most of them I see are really stiff. And I have to be honest with myself that I can never make all my things squarish.
I do like the go-to-school idea, as I really enjoyed school years and being a student. Satchel is one of those things I’d so love to buy, but have no logical reason to buy.
I think yours is rather big compared to those I’ve seen! And that’s great, because I like those bags that can fit A4 files nicely.
haha, I thought the photo is really refreshing, and didn’t find anything wrong with it until you pointed out. It made me look twice before hitting “read more”. It looks like you’re walking into the house, and it made the bag stand out because of the more “conformed” way you dress.
Lastly, YES! Conformity IS overrated! =(
teehee… glad you agree with me about conformity! We should all learn to be a bit more individual and less of a follower even if the latter is the safer route to take 😀 Thanks for liking the photo Jyoan – I wasn’t sure about it, but decided to go with it anyway 😀 Satchels are something that I think is a personal thing – it isn’t a design that appeals to many because it is a bit more structured (or not) and a bit fiddly. So no fear for not owning one because you probably don’t need it! 😀
I carry a leathery satchel to work everyday. At first it was very hard to balance it right when i’m in my work clothes and then i worry that someone might come and snatch my bag when I’m not particularly paying attention :p But I love it now because it’s roomy, slightly slouchy and looks great.
Yay for carrying a satchel to work too 😀 I am a little more careful because as you have pointed out, its quite easy to snatch or pickpocket so if I’m walking around, I am a little more vigilant – and isn’t it great that its “different”? 🙂
Nice! Bugger. Now I want a brown one too 😛
Confession: I got the Radley one because much as I love colours, I needed a brown satchel in my life 🙂
I love satchels! I can’t seem to find affordable yet good quality ones locally though, all I’ve found are either cheap PVC ones or expensive leather/canvas ones 🙁
If only I had a working sewing machine. I would grab me some canvas, dye and leather piping and make a clone of my first and last, dearly departed satchel T.T
I think it would be so cool to make your own satchel! 😀 In the main, I’d rather source my satchels from overseas because I never know if the local ones claiming to be leather are real leather and as you’ve mentioned, if they are they are pricey. There are lots available online at relatively reasonable prices 😉
Firstly, that is a very becoming picture of you! Kudos to the photographer..looks like a papparazzi shot!
And secondly, I agree with you that a satchel is very versatile…and chic to boot! But I’m on a bag and purse ban, how?
HAha it was a staged papparazzi shot 😀 And you can join me on my bag ban – a whole year OMG 😛
love that satchel!
Its cute eh? 🙂
That satchel looks so easy to wear. Am all for bags with enough room space and are easy to wear. I just got a Kelly bag Kate Spade look-a-likey satchel which I tote to the office (I wish I had the real thing but my bank account says no). Not exactly a school bag satchel, but another more structured one which I’m more comfortable taking to work. Yes, I’m a conformist that way! 🙂
I do love the look of the PS1 and the Alexa too but I think for that price, I prefer other bag styles.
Aww your bag sounds so pretty! Nothing wrong with being conformist – I think sometimes it may be better that way LOL! Like you, the Kelly calls my name too but sadly the wallet doesn’t agree 😛
Tee hee.. *high5* here too, conformity is over-rated 😛
Not really a Radley fan though but Cambridge Satchel yes 😀
Am lemming for the one and only Proenza’s PS1 for more than a year now. Do you like the PS1? Not the suede though 😛
I personally find the PS1 too heavy. I managed to try it on once and although it was empty, it dragged my shoulders down and felt heavy. I can’t begin to imagine how much heavier it would be with my stuff in there! In fact, I felt the same about Alexa hence my reluctance to go down that route and my wallet thanks me heartily!
Oh my. You must have tried the wrong PS1 size. I thought the medium suits you best. Hmmm. I will get the chance to try it on soon. Hopefully it’s not as heavy as the LV Empreinte Artsy MM 😛 Thanks dearie for the heads up 😀
I really like the look of a satchel but I can’t forsee myself using it very often because of the buckle. I have the habit of taking things and out of my bag very frequently, so zipper will still be my best buddy.
True true! That buckle thing can be a bother especially if its not a magnetic clasp but a proper buckle!
babe, i got my alexa at 30% off… didn’t pay 6grand for it 😉
Don’t tempt!!!
I had a few satchels but I didn’t like how the strap cutting across my body looked like a river between 2 hills, so I hardly use them these days 😛
HAHAHA a river between 2 hills – how apt! 😀 Lucky for me its relatively flat terrain at my end 😉
I love book bag style satchel, especially since it belonged to my mother. No fancy name brand, just a plain leather one. Keep on carrying yours to work, it look functional and fashionable.
Thanks Jess Jess and to own a satchel belonging to your mother? That’s all sorts of awesome! 😀
My best friend gifted me a large leather satchel from Sacramanga which doubles as a uni and travel bag. Its quite big (can probably fit 3 laptops in it) and really unfeminine but I love it to bits. Each time I travel with it, other travellers keep running up to ask where did I get my bag from and if they can touch it.
A part of me would still love to have an Alexa but I can’t afford it for now. Pass!
What an awesome gift! I looked on Scaramanga too once – I love the distressed leather they use because it is so Indiana Jones 😛 Some day I might pick up one just for the hell of it – maybe after I un-ban myself 😛 I can’t imagine just how big yours is though if it fits 3 laptops! Doesn’t it get heavy? 😛
Ya know, this blogging thing is dangerous. Not only are you enabling beauty lemmings, you’re also enabling satchel lemmings. I’ve been searching for one since last year at those online blog shops and flea markets, but the stitchings are not very good. Only now did I realize that you, Kahani, Geek and Tine have been satchel-ing. Pity about Cambridge Satchels though – would you still recommend them or should I try out Tine’s one? Cambridge Satchel prices look very decent.
Ahem! Hang around a bit more and we’ll empty that wallet… but you’d look better/feel better for it. Hopefully LOL! I don’t know how Cambridge Satchel Company is with their deliveries now, to be honest. I think you can still expect it to take a month at minimum unless they have ready stock. Email in and see if they do. That’s what I did when I ordered mine. Emailed to ask if the colour I wanted was in stock and immediately bought it. If its in stock it ships out more quickly than if they have to order it. I don’t know what the Zatchels one is like but Legeeque has both CSC and Zatchels and she seems happy with the quality too. Shipping is killer though.
Fair enough. I was doing some calculations and tbh, RM480-RM500 for a well-made leather satchel (including shipping – please correct my calculation if it’s super erroneous) is actually a pretty good buy. Or am I just lying to myself?
Yup for the Classic satchel that should be the price. Whether its worth it will depend on what you think about it. It is very stiff and doesn’t fit much at all. I consider it more of a “fashion satchel” than a real work horse. If you like, remind me the next time I see you and I’ll bring my CSC and you can take a look at it. RM500 is still quite pricey all things considered 😉
OK I’m replying off the email notification – YES please, would be great to see it in real life. I was busy measuring it this morning. I like the idea of the 13”.