Blouse: Dorothy Perkins
Dress: Kmart
Shoes: Poetic License
Bag: Leather Satchel Co.
Oh man….. I just bought the most BEAUTIFUL bag.
I know I’m a bit behind the trend here, but a while ago I decided I needed a leather satchel. A proper, honest-to-goodness, good quality, long-lasting leather satchel that I could carry my everything-but-the-kitchen-sink requirements in.
After deliberating between Zatchels, Cambridge Satchel Company and Leather Satchel Co. I decided to go with the latter.
Leather Satchel Co. has been around since the mid-sixties making traditional British-style leather satchels, and they back up their years of expertise with a 5 year warranty. There are 5 different sizes, and 25 different leather, and the customisable options include top handles, wider gussets, monograms, backstrap alterations, multicoloured leathers and longer straps.
And then there’s the packaging.
I KNOW, right!?
As if being a brown paper package tied up with string wasn’t enough, the envelope with the warranty information is stamped with an Alice in Wonderland image and quote (squee!)
And the BAG itself…?
Gorgeous.
The quality’s absolutely impeccable. I bought the 14″ satchel in Oxblood red, and it’s the perfect size for my diary/phones/iPad/umbrella/etc. The fixtures are well-made and sturdy, and the strap is one long piece of leather with no weak stitched points that will give way over time.
For the sake of security I decided to keep the original buckles, though if you suspect you’d find them annoying Leather Satchel Co. can to swap them out for magnetic snaps.
I also had the bag embossed with my (new!) initials…
… and I paid a little extra for a beautiful-looking strap pad that enables me carry a lot of heavy stuff without the bag cutting into my shoulder.
Leather Satchel Co. also sends a dustcover with the bags, but I can’t image it’ll be getting a lot of use: I’m much too delighted with my new bag to let it out of my hot little hands just yet!
bag, well, bag is cool, but dress is awesome! and you look just wonderful! 🙂
Thanks M <3
Gorgeous!
Thanks!
Amazing!! I am drooling here! The color, shape, all of it is right up my alley! LOVE!
Thanks Crystal. I’m so happy I bought it, I love it. And it wasn’t that expensive comparatively.
Beautiful outfit, and that is one gorgeous bag! Being able to fit my daytimer (appointment book) is an absolute requirement for my own daily use bags, and I love the hands-free factor of cross-body bags. Good call on the shoulder strap pad, and the colour is to die for.
Thanks Amber! I’m so delighted with the bag – especially now that I’m getting the hang of the buckles! The shoulder strap pad’s amazing, because it helps keep the bag on my shoulder. I suffer from slopey shoulders, which is why I usually buy cross-body bags, but with the pad the strap on this one doesn’t budge
This is one of my favourite posts of all time! Not buying that dress is one of the biggest regrets I have haha. I love it with the blouse underneath!
Thanks Linzzzy! I always have those shopping regrets! I’m glad I bought this one, even if I don’t really need more floral dresses!
I love your dress- it’s so pretty, and oh wow- that satchel is beautiful. It’s definitely my favourite colour of the season, and the packaging is fabulous. I really love that style of satchel, but would find it difficult to decide which brand to buy from. Oh, and we have the same initials!
Woohoo! LP’s represent! I love the oxblood red, too. It kind of goes with everything, doesn’t it?
Great bag. Is the dress current season? It’s very pretty……
It’s not, I’m afraid. It’s a few years old now. Sorry 🙁
Gorgeous bag! I must admit though, the thing that really caught my eye was that your dress is from KMart!! Very impressed 🙂
Life etc
Thanks Corinne – It was such a surprise win from them. Sometimes they do great stuff!
I realize this is missing the point, but that dress is fantabulous! Really K-mart? Wowsers! (Also, I do love the satchel…)
Inorite! I was astonished when I saw it. It’s fully lined too! Amazeballs!
You have the best taste in floral patterns! And that is one genuinly drool-worthy bag!
Thank you! I do love my floral dresses 😉
Can I ask why you went for their satchel over the Cambridge one?
Y0our bag with your new initials is GORGEOUS! Love the color and the shoulder pad and the initials and all of it!The blossom dress is so so so pretty and happy and matches the bag SO well!
Hey Shell,
I read that the leather was softer, and I liked the fact I could have it monogrammed, and also get a matching strap pad. Also, I’ve read a few concerning things that suggested Cambridge kiiiind of ripped these guys off (she bought a satchel from them a few years ago, and then suddenly was in the media a few years later going “I started Cambridge Satchel Company because my kids wanted a classic Harry Potter Style satchel, and no-one was making them anymore”)
But, honestly, a lot of my decision came down to the gorgeous packaging, lol!
I’ve been wanting one of these bags for ages! Looks great on you, and the strap pad is a clever idea. Plus, it matches your shoes. Win!
LOL, Thanks Catherine! I’ve discovered that the strap pad does double duty of making the bag more comfortable to wear AND the strap doesn’t slip off my slopy shoulders!
Absolutely gorgeous bag – it is so hard to find a not-too-big and not-too-small-bag that fits everything and looks great. Can I ask what the lining is like? I love a quirky lining but I couldn’t see anything about linings on their site.
Hi Jacki,
There’s no lining, just the smooth side of the leather 🙂
Ok I so NEED that bag. But seriously. Is the strap long enough to wear it across your body? Are the straps adjustable? I’d like a bag that I can wear either hanging off my shoulder or across my body.
Definitely yes, It’s long enough to do both, and the length is adjustable too. The straps are 48″ long, but they’ll even customise the length if that’s not long enough: They charge 3 pounds per 6″ extension 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous. Will definitely buy one of their satchels – thanks so much 🙂 Love, love, love!!!!!
Love the bag! I’ve been wanting to get a leather satchel for ages and was planning on going with the Cambridge Satchel but after reading your review, I think I’ll go with these guys instead. I assume you ordered directly from their workshop? About how long did it take between placing your order and receiving your bag? I guess you got the Patent Oxblood – is it really shiny? I’m thinking about getting a red one but I’m generally not keen on patent, and the non-patent red is pillarbox which seems pretty bright. Did they give you care instructions? Did you need to waterproof it or anything like that? Sorry for all the questions!
Hey Jen,
Yep I ordered directly from the workshop – it didn’t take too long at all – ordered on the 13th of September, and received on the other side of the world on the 24th!
I did get the patent Oxblood. It’s not as shiny as a pair of stiff patent leather shoes, but there’s definitely a sheen to it.
I haven’t waterproofed it at all, but rain just slides off patent leather anyway, not sure if care instructions would be different for the non patent leathers.
Hope this helps!
Great, thanks for the info, will definitely be ordering one of my own! Now to decide what colour!
I’ve been following your blog for a while now and haven’t ever commented – BUT I had to tell you that this entry was what pushed me to buy a satchel from The Leather Satchel Co. myself! I got one in the Loch blue and you are so right – they are simply stunning.
Thats’s great to hear Melanie – thank you for letting me know! I love mine so much, I’ve given it a real workout, and it’s still looking good!
AHHHH! I am so happy I stumbled upon this entry. I have been trying to decide between Leather Satchel Co, Cambridge & Zatchels. I’m sold, and god that packaging! Alice is a gem! I am unsure if the other companies also do 5 year warranty or custom orders – but wow. Leather Satchel Co, here I come!
SO glad I stumbled upon your post. I’ve been flipping between the oxblood red or london tan satchel for WEEKS now, and I think this may have decided it for me! I was unsure how the gold embossing would look on the red, but I think it looks great! Helps, too, that we share the same initials, so actually SEEING it makes me doubly sure I need this bag in my life, haha.
Thanks for your post! x