The reader responses to my grumbling about pockets the other day reminded me about bags. As it happened I looked around unnsuccessfully online and in several luggage shops for a small leather messenger bag last summer. I need something much smaller than a gym bag but was unable to find one from a source I trust.
One comment called out the Click mini-messenger from Timbuk2, which would suit the bill if it was offered in something other than ballistic nylon. Not that I have anything against ballistic nylon, mind you. After all, my camera bag is nylon (finding a padded leather camera bag is another challenge) but I only use it for storage. It looks terrible next to a suit.
This time a renewed search may have been successful. San Francisco's own Glaser Designs offers a small made to order leather shoulder bag (in the photo) that looks as though it will fit the bill if it comes with a long enough shoulder strap so as not to look like a woman's purse. Not that I have anything against women either.
The next step will be a visit to the Glaser Designs studio to see a bag in person.
P.S. Check out ASW at the bottom of the page in today's The Ten best... Fashion Bloggers in The Observer Magazine.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
A Small Messenger Bag
Photo: Glaser Designs
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17 comments:
Get one of these:
http://www.filson.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2092402&cp=2065674.2065687.2065706&parentPage=family
They age as well as leather and are significantly less expensive, and in my opinion, look great with suits.
As a bag enthusiast, I understand the plight of finding a decent carry-all.
A few choices come to mind in addition to the excellent Filson mentioned above
One is the Levenger Livingstone Gear Pack:
http://www.levenger.com/PAGETEMPLATES/PRODUCT/Product.asp?Params=Category=11-994-998|Level=2-3-4|pageid=6531
And another, more rugged, yet very stylish option is the offerings by Saddleback Leather Company:
http://www.saddlebackleather.com/categories/80
My usual carry is a leather and nylon black bag that was produced by Ben Sherman. After upgrading it with a leather shoulder strap, it's clean, simple, all black look goes perfectly well with a suit.
That’s a handsome bag! But I must question whether a messenger could fit in there at all, even a small one. ;-)
try saddlebackleather.com they have some really sharp looking bags, from messenger to full suitcases - even if you are not looking for one, it is tempting.
cheers
It looks nice. Being smaller than a messenger bag I think one thing to worry about is it looks border line murse.
that's a purse.
Put it back.
That's a man purse... a murse.
That really does exude purse. Regardless of strap length.
Congrats on the write up in the Guardian. I always assumed Jeeves polished the screen of your Kindle.
The camera bags you are looking for are Billingham. They are soft canvas with leather trim. To my eye, their appearance is low-key and refined, rather than announcing "Hey, look at my camera bag!".
I could also recommend Domke, but they tend to put ridiculously large logos on them, which offend men of style. Domke does recently offer waxed/oiled canvas versions which appear to be low-key in appearance, but I'm not sure how well those bags will wear in the life of a camera bag.
Any all-leather camera bags I'm aware of tend to be of the "Staples Leather Briefcase" variety and would look more at home on the 20-something OTR crowd. If you're truly set on all-leather, you'd do best to have one made bespoke using padded inserts available from the camera bag manufacturers.
Billingham's camera bags look great. A major upgrade from Canon's.
Congratulations on the write up, Will. Well deserved.
As far as the bag, it's a little small, as others have pointed out. What about a vintage bag? I found this from a few seconds of browsing:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Full-Grian-Leather-Duffle-Gym-Bags-Grip-Luggage_W0QQitemZ270521322070QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMen_s_Accessories_UK?hash=item3efc53ca56
Check out these little messenger bags from Kenneth Cole:
http://www.kennethcole.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3072225&cp=3075215.3075278.3075281
Even thought their online store only has it in dark brown, my local store also has it in black leather and a grey worn leather as well (although they want $198 for them, which is a good bit more than they costs online). They have a nice look to them and the flap with the tuck on it definitely makes it look like a small messenger bag instead of a man purse.
Will, I am sure one of your bespoke shoemakers can make you a bag of your choosing.
Agreed on the Kenneth Cole day bags, I've been carrying one around the world for the past 10 years (I re-dye the leather every other year so it looks sharp but loved). Mine has full-length leather flap with magnetic closures underneath, sturdy cloth lining, and non-detachable leather strap.
The one mentioned has a detachable nylon shoulder strap, ruling it out for me, but there are others in the category. The Roma is closest to what I've been carrying, though the strap is busier and less satisfying than my plain canvas-backed leather one.
http://www.kennethcole.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3933009&cp=3075281
I realize that everyone and their brother is offering you advice on a bag recommendation, but, well here's another one I've been more than satisfied with:
Saddleback Leather's products are simply amazing.
http://www.saddlebackleather.com/
They have two models that might meet your needs, a 'thin briefcase' or their 'messenger.' Also I believe their design and manufacturing ethos will definitely strike a chord with you (and hopefully your readers). They seem very committed both to the long term design quality and durability of their products (100 year mfr warranty!). No I don't work for them, this is not a sales pitch! I've had their messenger bag for a little over a year and I just LOVE it, and their commitment to their products really means a lot to me and more than makes these bags worth the money in my opinion.
Will
For a camera bag, look at the Fogg bags http://www.foggspecialistbags.com/index.html
T
hey are lovingly made by British ex-pats in the Dordogne region of France. I've used my Celia II model for the last 20 years to haul my Leica and lenses around the world. I thought youd appreciate the artisanal nature and build quality.
Best,
MJ
www.focusonthedonut.com
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