Bags of Blog — Saddle Bags

While thinking back to the article I wrote last month, in which I gushed with things to say about the trusty saddle bag, I thought I would do a little bit of celebrity spotting (only online, unfortunately!), and see if any A-Listers were sporting my favourite trend of this season.

It seems like Hollywood are fully aware of this being the bag of the moment  – of course, they would be! – so there were loads of famous faces that were spotted using tan leather cross-body saddle bags as they went about their celebrity business. Below, I’ve picked my favourite three and also linked to some slightly cheaper but just as beautiful alternatives from our own website.

 1.   Jennifer Lawrence has previously been seen wandering around London with a gorgeous but pretty simple leather saddle bag. Although hers is beautiful, it probably costs a fair bit, and I always edge towards slightly more detailed designs, like our Vintage Leather Annie Saddle Bag Style Satchel which boasts the same rounded shape and suntanned leather, but with some extra detailing on the front.

2.    Taylor Swift has also been seem numerous times with her gorgeous Ralph Lauren saddle bag. It’s a great style, and it seems to go with everything, but unfortunately it will set you back $300. If you like the design but don’t want to break the bank, our Small Sun Vintage Leather Satchel  is a great option as it has similar detailing on the front but costs a lot less!

3.   If you are more inclined to go for the bohemian-chic style of Vanessa Hudgens, our Vintage Two Pocket Large Leather Satchel - is a great alternative to the Patricia Nash leather saddle bag she has been spotted with so many times, and will allow you to recreate her effortless style for a fraction of the price!

With Mother’s Day fast approaching (Sunday, 15th March 2015 in the UK), it’s time to start thinking about a gift to say thank you. To save you the trouble of shopping around for ages before deciding on the perfect present, I have picked five of our bags for five different types of mothers that will hopefully help!

Remember that we can also add the personal touch with a lovely message or name embossed subtly into the leather of most of our products.  So, see if we have the ideal Mother's Day Gift for your mum.

For the mother who is constantly lugging files and documents into the office, while still remaining dutifully on call if you need anything, one of our laptop bags would be a fantastic way to say thank you. My personal choice would be our medium black leather satchel because it is not only super practical, but it looks great, and is big enough for all the bits and bobs she might need, alongside her work and even a 11” or 13” laptop. We do, of course, have lots of other laptop bags in different styles, sizes and also in gorgeous tan leather!

A perfect gift for your retired mother is our large leather weekend bag because no matter where she is travelling or what she is exploring, she will look stylish as she does it. She will also never leave anything behind, with enough space to carry whatever she wants with her. The bag simply gets more gorgeous with age as the suntanned leather softens and becomes more and more unique and special.

If you are buying a gift for a new mother, our leather overnight bag might be the perfect thing as they make brilliant nappy bags. They are the ideal size, comfortable to carry because of the cross-shoulder strap, and no one would ever guess they are full of bottles and nappies because of how great they look! I use mine daily to haul the boys’ toys and food around, and absolutely love it, so I highly recommend this as a gift!

For the mother who always looks stylish, no matter the situation, one of our leather saddle bags is a great gift. I have already expressed my love for these gorgeous bags in a recent article so I will keep it short, only saying that these are the perfect presents for the mum who likes to stay on trend, and if given, they will definitely be appreciated! A great choice at the moment is our hugely popular Vintage Two Pocket Leather Satchel as it is a great size and is simple but stylish, but we have loads more saddle bag style options in other sizes and designs.

Hopefully this has been somewhat useful, and whatever happens with a gift, make sure that come Sunday, 15^th March you thank your wonderful mothers for all they do! Remember, if you do decide to get one of our bags, you can make them even more special, by getting them personalised, with their initials or even a short message to remind your mum that you love her!

I love a good blast from the past, and bags are obviously quite a big part of my life, so I am extremely excited that this season’s big thing is the saddle bag; a mixture of a truly brilliant fashion flashback and a stylish and practical bag!

Modern fashion brings with it a host of amazing style revivals, and in my opinion, this is definitely one that deserves to stay. The wonderful saddle bag is currently so on trend, and as it can be worn by just about anyone, with just about anything, it’s set to become even more popular in the next few months. The soft structure and muted details lend its design to anything; from a day trip to a museum, to an evening out, there is no end to the saddle bag’s usefulness.

I have been an advocate for these roomy and stylish bags for years, (yes, I may have started the current trend!) and when I don’t have to lug nappies and bottles around with me, these are my go-to bags for a look that is instantly put-together and effortless.

If only I had bought the amazing US Postal Saddle Bag (below) I found when rummaging in New York a couple of years ago - it was beyond my budget then at around $400!

In the excitement of this revival of such a great trend, I thought I would pick out three of our Vida Vida saddle bag inspired designs so that you can keep up!

1.       Vintage 2 Pocket Leather Satchel – Small Saddle Bag £45, Medium £55, Large £65 

In three different sizes, and from only £45, this leather satchel is the ideal bag if you want something that is simultaneously stylish and practical. The simple yet striking design sticks to the classic structure of the saddle bags, with brass fastenings and a long body strap, and with zip-up pockets as well as the main compartment, you can carry everything you need, without looking like you’re lugging you whole life around with you. 

2.  Vintage Leather Annie Saddle Bag Satchel, £45 

If you are looking for a slightly more detailed version of the above, this Annie satchel is the perfect bag for you. It is our slightly different take on the traditional leather saddle bags, and is hand-made in the heart of Mexico by a small family business, so each is unique, meaning your outfit will instantly be updated and original when you grab this and go.

3.  Vintage Leather Small Sun Saddle Bag Satchel, £50 

This is my personal favourite (and my go-to bag) because of the beautiful detailing in the gorgeous suntanned leather. It ages fantastically, and although I have used mine for years, I can tell it will last for many more. If you are looking for a little more character and individuality, while still staying bang on trend, this is the bag for you.