Buy it: Cambridge Satchel

I have a girl-crush on one of my coworkers, whom I'll call C. She always manages to look completely natural in what she's wearing, usually a perfect mix of relaxed but chic pieces with interesting details and statement-making accessories. She's super-stylish, but she never looks too trendy, a feat that's tricky to execute. I'm not the only one who appreciates how she dresses; her name has become shorthand in my department for the type of customer we want to target (e.g. "She's young, thin, and hip--you know, like C."). A few weeks ago, C started carrying a bright green bag, and ever since, I've noticed it popping up on street-style blogs and Pinterest. And while C clearly didn't start this trend, it just goes to show how plugged in she is to fashion. The bag is a Cambridge Satchel, a company that makes a very basic, classic leather messenger bags originally intended for British schoolchildren. The bags are handmade in Great Britain, a rarity in these days of Third World factories, and while they still adhere to tradition, they've also collaborated with the likes of Comme des Garcons and thus embraced their budding fashion-insider status. The satchels are obviously sturdy and well made, from good leather, but the fun is that you can get a Cambridge Satchel in nearly every color in the rainbow (and then some), from basic brown and black to bright yellow and candy pink; style bloggers have particularly embraced the fluorescent series. What's really impressive, however, is the prices: basic-colored 11-inch satchels start at $120, with the 15-inch neon styles topping out at $190. (Let me reiterate: These are real leather bags, handmade in Great Britain.) Stick on another $16-$32 and you can have your initials embossed in silver, gold, black, or blind lettering (take that, Goyard!). These bags looks like they can live forever, so one must choose a color wisely. The traditionalist in me wants red, but my trend-slave likes the fluorescent pink. I may not look as effortlessly cool as C, but I'll look like me, and that's what really counts, right?

5 comments

Leah Beamon said...

You hit it dead on-these bags are simple, chic, and beautiful. I say go for the bright pink!!

Chanel Shopping Bags said...

Those bags are so good.Chanel may be known for its timeless designs, but with the introduction of the Chanel 2.55 Chanel brings us a line that is both seductive and a slight change of pace. Unmistakably different, Chanel classic strays from the quilted flapChanel Evening Bags we have come to expect from the brand.

susan said...

I really want the neon yellow/green, but it seems crazy to buy something that's made to last for so many years in such a trendy color! I love it though!

Ok, I guess the real question now is: do I buy this or an air conditioner? The weather's finally caught up to the calendar!

S

Cheryl said...

Susan, I saw the chartreuse in real life today on the street, and it is BRIGHT. You might even be able to use it in place of a lamp! But not an air conditioner--that might be a more sound purchase at this point in the season.

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