Save and Splurge : Bag Lusting after Traditional Leather Saddle Bags

Remember the craze that was the leather satchel? I don’t think its going anywhere soon if the popularity of leather satchels made by companies like Cambridge Leather Satchel and Zatchels are anything to go by. I like the thick hard leather and the traditional hardware they have on them. I have one of these traditional satchel type things and I can tell you that it is rather a pain to carry because although the leather will soften a little over time and with regular use, it never gets very soft. So your space is very limited. It may not be a bad thing you know, it stops you carrying everything including the kitchen sink 🙂

Recently, I came across another style of traditional leather bag that had me champing at the bit to get hold of one. This was the Saddle Bag and I first came across it on Zatchels for £60 (S) and £70 (L) . Yes, we’re talking about bags, not the saddle bags on your thighs that makes your bum look big 😛

I hadn’t seen this design around on other sites prior to this, and I liked how cute it was. I could quite easily see myself with the green one – I’ve been hankering after a green bag in just that shade! 😀

I have seen some pictures of the Zatchels Saddle Bag online and it would appear its rather similar to the leather satchels, in that the material used is the harder traditional leather, which enables it to hold its shape better. This also means that the opening is probably about as wide as it gets and you won’t be able to stuff things in there. Still, I think its a fun accessory, and bright colours are a fun way to perk up an outfit. I would even wear these to work, but then, that’s the way I roll 🙂

I never saw these anywhere else before this but recently, Rebecca Minkoff unveiled her latest design, the Skylar cross body bag (US$225) available on shopbop.com.

Oh hello! This is the saddle bag! But done up in biker chick style with her signature studs. The leather looks a little like those used by Zatchels but I can’t tell if it is. For one, it doesn’t look at thick and she employs a snap closure as opposed to the buckles. I can see how this will appeal to those who don’t want anything too fiddly like a buckle closure, but I personally prefer the buckle.

I think the Skylar is cute too, but potentially impractical unless you don’t carry anything out with you except your ID, cards, some money and your mobile phone. Maybe a small wallet but nothing much else. It looks quite tiny and I think its just too pricey.

The Saddle bag from Zatchels on the other hand, is about double the size of the Skylar (and half the price!) which is ultimately more practical for someone like me. I’m actually worried if it’d fit my long wallet!

I was planning to pick up the Saddle bag from Zatchels a while ago but the shipping from there at £30 per shipment kills me 🙁 Its practically half the price of the bag which makes the whole purchase really silly if I go through with it. I’d probably see if I can ship it to a friend in the UK and get her to ship it on, or pass it on through someone else but I’ll see. Unlike the Cambridge Satchel which can now be found on other shopping sites that ship internationally for free or for a more affordable fee, the Zatchels bags aren’t anywhere to be found yet. If you do see them pop up anywhere else for more affordable shipping, do let me know.

Incidentally, I noticed that there is a site in Singapore that says they are an official Zatchels supplier but when I contacted them, I got no reply at all. Didn’t want to bother thereafter because I worry about fakes and scams and non communication from online stores make me wary. They didn’t have the size I wanted anyway.

My pick in this instance is the Zatchels Saddle Bag because its a larger size, more practical and I like the buckles. The Rebecca Minkoff is far too small to be practical and I’m not crazy about the design.

Does anyone own a Zatchels Saddle Bag? Do you like the design?

This might be stretching it, but if you do own one, I’d love to know what you think of it and whether its practical. I cannot justify the shipping costs so I’m going to bide my time. Maybe some day if I come across it in person, I’d pick it up. Love the green though!

Paris B