Why you SHOULDN'T buy a Cambridge Satchel

If you follow a lot of local lifestyle and fashion blogs like I do, it's impossible to miss the recent frenzy surrounding the Cambridge Satchels, a line of leather bags in various colors made in the U.K.  I first heard of these bags here and here.  At that time, i wasn't very interested because the bags looked stiff and too structured.  Plus, I was still enamored with the Mulberry Alexa then.  Actually, I am still salivating over the Alexa until now, but didn't see them anywhere in the U.S.  (China, if you're reading this, you're my only hope! Hehe)

Fast forward a few months later, and guess what I saw while watching An Education on HBO?

It's Carey Mulligan (as Jenny) with a brown Cambridge Satchel!  And just like that, I wanted the bag again.  The film had a lot to do with it...Carey used it in all her scenes wearing her schoolgirl outfit, it was basically her trademark accessory.    (On this note, if you haven't seen An Education yet...what are you waiting for?  Great film, great production design, great acting.  A little bit slow, but the fashion and cinematography make up for that).

A week after I saw An Education, I decided to purchase the bag.  Even if I was in the United States, I somehow managed to reserve and buy one from a local Multiply seller.  (My shopping skills transcend continents! LOL).  Long story short, I now have a Cambridge Satchel and I'm loving every inch of it!

I won't elaborate anymore on why I'm pleased with this purchase...you'll find plenty of rave reviews around the web anyway.   I think it's more helpful to point out why this bag will not work for everyone (hence the title of this blog entry).

First off, if you like your bags slouchy and soft, the Cambridge Satchel is not for you.  This bag is stiff as a board and no amount of usage will make the leather softer in time. 

Very schoolgirl chic!

If you're a little bit careless with your bags and just throw and fling them around, be careful of getting the leather scratched.  The leather on the Cambridge Satchel is smooth and even, I think even an accidental scratch from a long fingernail would create a noticeable mark on the leather.  In other words, this bag needs to be handled with a little more care than usual.  So if you're looking for a pang-harabas type of bag, this is not the bag for you.

Finally, if you're the type of girl (or boy) who brings everything but the kitchen sink in your handbag, forget the Cambridge Satchel.  The bag can accommodate only a few items, the thickness is approximately about 2.5-3 inches for the 13" version (and the thickness doesn't increase substantially in the 14" and 15" versions either).  This is how a fully packed satchel would look like:

I only managed to fit the following items in the main compartment:  kikay kit (the floral pouch on the left), comb, wallet (the pink thing on the right), Moleskine planner, iPhone charger and camera (which goes in the middle part).  In the front pocket, I have a small notepad, a pen, my phone and my office ID.  I normally carry sunglasses, a mini emergency kit/pouch and a pencil case when I use other bags.  I had to discard those when I'm using the Cambridge Satchel. 

Bottom line is:  the Cambridge Satchel serves a specific purpose (at least for me).  I use it when I don't feel the need to carry too much, or a secondary bag (for a laptop or tablet and some papers).  So the limitations of the bag don't really bother me.  But I suggest you take these limitations into consideration before taking the plunge.  The bag is not as expensive as the Alexa or the Kate Spade Essex Scout, but P5,500-7,500 isn't loose change either :)

Cambridge Satchels are available at Schu boutiques in Metro Manila, Madison in Rockwell Power Plant and in Multiply (French Macaroons online store).