Anyone got a Cambridge satchel or batchel?

[Holymoly321]

DH has said he'll treat me to a new leather bag as an anniversary present - budget is £120. Having looked online at loads of bags, am thinking of buying a Cambridge satchel / batchel as I think it's a classic that won't date. Just wondered if anyone else had one and what size did they go for. I'm the kind of woman of has to carry a lot of stuff around (snacks, nappies, brollies, hats etc!) but not sure if the largest size would be too big. Also, not sure what colour to go for - def not black or brown but want one that wont date. Have a look at the bags here www.cambridgesatchel.co.uk - have a look and help me out as I'm going mad just looking at the pictures over and over again! My style is skinny jeans, uggs or converse!

sorry - link is www.cambridgesatchel.co.uk

My kids have the satchels for school (14"). You'll probably need to get the largest (15") version if you're carrying nappies & brollies etc. Try calling the guy that runs the company - I'd be surprised if they aren't happy to exchange if you need a different size (assuminig you don't have initials on it).

I'm probablly the wrong person to talk about colours, because to me the traditional brown ones look best and get better with age + a bit of wear. The purple ones are good fun, but run the risk of looking dated quite quickly??

Not much help, I'm afraid!

Hi myruby, could you get a nappy, snacks and a brolly in the 14inch? Just spoke with the lady there and she said if you're under 5.5, the 15inch may swamp you a bit. I'm 5.6. What does your child get in hers?

Easily. My DS can get a snack box, pencil case, a couple of books, A4 homework sheets and several small bits & pieces in his. If you just need space for one or two nappies & small brolly etc then the smaller satchel will easily hold them. (I had visions of you needing several nappies, pack of wipes, purse, bottles(?), snacks, and lots of random baby kit!).

ah myruby that's great - no DS1 is 4 (will start school in sept) and DS2 is 2, so bottles no longer needed! Just the odd small sandwich box and juice box, and nappy, brolly, phone etc. So you think the 14 will be big enough?

I think it should be... but don't quote me on it!

I think the red one would go with anthing

I have a satchel looks pretty much like the ones here. I would say, you can get less in them than you think because the leather is very stiff (well the leather on mine is and I've had it for ages), also they can be quite heavy esp if you've got loads of stuff in them. Also if they're still leather they don't mould to the body in any way so they do sort of stick out and bump around on your hip. I don't use mine very much even though I do love it as it does look very schoolgirl-ish -- mine's brown. I would go for the yellow or green.

I meant stiff leather not still leather duh

I like the yellow, although the navy would probably go with much more stuff.

I am now thinking I will go with Navy as it's classic but still a little bit diff to the black / brown options. I do like the yellow and green and purple, but think that as they are such 'fashion' colours, I may not like the bag as much next year. The red one tho, that is also nice - but could be a bit 'look at me'? Think I will also go for the 14 inch as am worried the 15incher will swamp me - I need to cut down on the crap I drag around with me anyway!

I like the schoolgirlish comment niminy - as I look about as far from the english schoolgirl look as you can get, it will probably be a nice counterbalance!

i think you will give yourself serious back issues lugging one of those around.

I have 15" one in red. Am 5'3". Present from dh for xmas. Wanted 14" but he bought 15". Thought initially would be too big, but as niminypiminy said the leather is very stiff and so am glad now have the bigger one. Have had lots of lovely comments on it too.

Ooh Alex, hoped I'd find someone who had the 15incher. Do you feel it swamps you? Am thinking maybe I should go with red and to hell with the 'look at me' factor! The bag is lovely, why shouldn't people look at it?! But knowing me I will chicken out and go with navy. Is it heavy? Do you feel it's too big? Would you get the 14 incher if you had the chance now?

No, I don't find it swamps me. Would probably now stick with 15 inch too - has been handy to carry folders home from work in. Had lots of lovely comments on it and the colour - I don't feel I am making a staTEMENT OR ANYTHING SILLY LIKE THAT i JUST LIKE THE COLOUR. Oops sorry for caps... Am due baby no 2 in 3 weeks and was thinking it is a great size for a roll up changing mat and stuff too. Not particularly heavy. HTH

Alexw that's fabulous, thanks so much for your help, and everyone else. Good luck with baby no2! Never thought I'd spend so much time deliberating over a BAG! Ridiculous! But I s'pose that's what happens when you usually only spend £8.00 on Primarni bags and then finally get the chance to splash a bit more cash!

your kids have satchels that cost £66?
firggin nora
theys aw you coming

Navy or red? Navy or red? Navy or red? Or purple? Arrrrrrgggghhhh

none they are shit

Or yellow?

Su thanks for your input. Anyone else?

Did you find Scaramanga on your travels?
www.scaramangashop.co.uk

I got the small Overlander recently, and I adore it
www.scaramangashop.co.uk/fashion/leather-bags/for-her/leather-satchel-bags/small-overlander-leather- bag/prod_637.html
Proper vintage looking bags are ace, if you ask me

thanks amelia - have had a look, they are very nice, but not for me. Am now thinking of either yellow or red, as have decided maybe the navy is a bit too boring! arrrrgggh! Just can't decide!