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Satchel Style Bag Wanted.

25 replies

polyhymnia · 19/03/2011 20:27

I want a satchel style handbag. Should be easy this season, but I'm having trouble finding 'the' one and getting really frustrated, so appealing for your stylish advice.

I want:

  • neutral colour (light tan, taupe, grey, etc).
  • outside pockets, which undo easily for Oyster card, etc.
  • real leather.
  • silver or brass trim, not blingy gold.
  • ideally a strap that will go across body if laden with shopping on tube.
  • price which isn't 'bargain basement' but isn't 'it' bag. Ideally, right side of £200.

Don't want:

  • a Cambridge Satchel - too satchelly.
  • anything by Radley - just don't like them.
  • anything too 'structured' (think L K Bennett).

Thought the Boden S/S satchel was the ideal, but in practice has design faults - fiddly buckles on front pockets instead of magnetic clasps, and a strap you can't easily extend.

So far two main contenders are:

a) bag called 'Mabella satchel' in Whistles, in soft grey leather, with tan trim costing £135 (sorry I still haven't learned to link)

b) the only satchel type in Comptoir des Cotonniers - you can see it on their French website - in lovely distressed caffe latte colour called 'Havana'.

Really fancy b). But at £220 it's rather more than I wanted to pay - so thought I'd come on here and see if there are even more appealing alternatives - or to allow someone to persuade me I should buy a) or b)!

OP posts:
bettybattleaxe · 19/03/2011 20:37

There must be something on this page -Fossil. I think the ones that look fiddly (like the Maddox flap) have magnetic closures.

I have a Comptoir satchel bag from about five years ago and still love it enough to repair it.

Gillybobs · 19/03/2011 21:17

I Like this and this

madammecholet · 20/03/2011 08:27

I have this, very soft leather, light lining to find stuff, and sides adjust so you can make it smaller/bigger...

lucia

I have lots nice comments when I take it out...

FauxFox · 20/03/2011 08:55

comptoir one and whistles though whistles has a pop up so I don't know if the link will work Hmm

FauxFox · 20/03/2011 08:55

Love that bag madamecholet

madammecholet · 20/03/2011 09:18

Thanks fauxfox I like the whistles one, but it would be too small for all my crap essentials.

I love mine as it has lots of pockets to hide place stuff, and I feel more organised than I have in years!

polyhymnia · 20/03/2011 09:52

Fauxfox, thanks so much for the links.

I can't cope with bags that are very small either, but think it would be big enough for me - though Comptoir one is bigger.

madamecholet, I've seen and admired the Peony and Moore Lucia - though can only see on site, not in RL, as I have the other two. Encouraged by you saying it has lots of pockets - I like that too.Is the camel version matt leather (site is a bit unclear)? Would much prefer matt leather to anything at all 'shiny'. Also, site says metalware is 'brushed brass'. Can I assume this has a matt, subtle look, not a shiny 'gold' one? I want a low-key look, which can be casual as well as stylish.

TIA.

OP posts:
madammecholet · 20/03/2011 10:01

polyhymnia the leather on the tan is a grainy matt, lovely and soft leather, the metalware is matt even platinum nearly, not in the least bit shiny gold (blurgh)..! The tan goes with everything and will be great for summer I think...

It is a very classic bag, not bling in any way...

The black is matt too, only the grey is shiny I think..Smile

polyhymnia · 20/03/2011 10:48

thanks - sounds excellent. Would definitely choose the camel as a spring/ summer colour that'll go with everything.

OP posts:
polyhymnia · 20/03/2011 10:51

Oh, one more question: do you or anyone else know of any reduction codes for P and M by any chance?

OP posts:
madammecholet · 20/03/2011 10:52

LOVEMUM gives £15 off till Mother's day - email came last week..Grin

polyhymnia · 20/03/2011 10:57

Thank you. Brings it further 'on the right side of £200' !

OP posts:
MrsSeanBean · 20/03/2011 12:00

I saw a nice Alexa-esque style bag in Russell and Bromley the other day (tan) but DH was with me so will have to go back to investigate later. (I have too many handbags already, don't you know...)
Price wise though, I would guess it would be around the £200 mark.
Will have a look on Russell and Bromley website but their site is crap, so probably won't be there.

MrsSeanBean · 20/03/2011 12:03

Hope, not on R&B website, and site is so useless that even if it was, wouldn't be able to link to it.

Sigh - can't decide if I am charmed at their being so behind the times or extrememly irritated.

MrsSeanBean · 20/03/2011 12:03

Nope (not hope).

JulesJules · 20/03/2011 12:05

I like the Lilifi, Lucia and vintage Postman Grin bags on Red Direct

JulesJules · 20/03/2011 12:12

And the Asos one which comes in different colours, but this might be too cheap for you Grin asos and it is in the sale!

polyhymnia · 20/03/2011 12:19

Thanks, everyone, lots to ponder.

MrsSeanBean, my DH is away this weekend and I intend going to Kensington High St later so will have a quick look in R and B. I am just annoyed by their site!

OP posts:
MrsSeanBean · 20/03/2011 13:16

Lucky you Poly - have a nice shop :)

madammecholet · 20/03/2011 18:33

I've bought from Red Direct before too...Smile

madammecholet · 22/03/2011 17:01

what did you get polyhymnia?

BovrilonToast · 22/03/2011 17:19

Have a look at Scaramanga bags Vintage Satchel

I'm very excited about it's imminent delivery!

polyhymnia · 23/03/2011 11:25

I've had so many good suggestions, am still paralysed by indecision!

MrsSeanBean, did get to see the bag I think you mean in R and B, but only briefly because had spent so long in other shops. Think it must be the one called Glee and around £280 - ie, not out of ordinary pricewise for R and B. Also think it may be the first bag now shown on their website, which they describe as a tote. Need to go back and examine this one more closely before finally deciding.

OP posts:
chaya99 · 24/05/2011 02:02

hello !
i have this bag if you interest !

i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt107/Teaoc/ag-rock-handbag-damien-white-3775019.jpg

Wink
daimbardiva · 24/05/2011 12:11

I really like this one from Clarks

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