Here at The Cambridge Satchel Company we believe in style over fast fashion. Our bags are a hybrid of classic design and modern details and they’re built to wear again and again. We also think there’s something everyone will love in our collection, whether you’re looking for an everyday cross body bag or a roomy backpack for busy weekends. We asked some of our team to try out their favourite bag and tell us how they’ll wearing it in their own unique way.
SHOP THE 11″ CLASSIC SATCHEL IN VINTAGE
ELLA MCKERNAN, SOCIAL MEDIA & PR INTERN
How would you describe your style?
Every time I buy anything new, the first thing my Mum always asks is “Is it black or white?”. This sums up my style in a nutshell: I am a monochrome addict. I always seem to gravitate towards neutral tones as they seem chic and classic. That isn’t to say that my style is mundane and boring (hopefully!). I like to add little elements of intrigue through design features: a ruffled sleeve or embellished pocket, rather than overload on colour. Leopard print is the exception to my rule. If I could dress top to toe in leopard print I would.
How do you hope others describe your style?
I recently bought a jumper before meeting a friend for dinner, it was black (obviously) but with a sequined collar. When I showed my friend she immediately said ‘that is SO you’. This is also phrase my Mum uses when she doesn’t like something I buy. I never know what it means – is it a good thing or not? I would like to think people see my style as I do – elegant, but with a little twist, classic but not boring.
Your style resolution for 2017?
I want to leave my monochrome days behind me and start playing around with colours a bit more. I will never be someone who will have a wardrobe of brightly coloured clothes or who’ll feel comfortable in top to toe colour. But I think I can incorporate a pink skirt with a black polo or a floral shirt with jeans.
Tell us about your new bag for the new season?
This season I am investing in a classic. When I started working at The Cambridge Satchel Company I feel in love with their Classic Satchels. The 11″ Satchel in Vintage is a bag that will never go out of style. Plus it’s the perfect size for my daily commute- fitting in all of life’s essentials but not too bulky for the Central Line at rush hour.
Where will you be carrying it?
One of my closest friends has recently moved to Madrid and I plan to visit her in March. So my new Satchel will be christened walking through the sunny streets of Madrid.
SHOP THE POPPY BACKPACK IN OXBLOOD
EMMA RICHMAN, PRESS OFFICER
How would you describe your style?
Comfortable, classic and colourful. I have an obsession with anything denim and embroidered!
How do you hope others describe your style?
Cool, or as my mum would say “trendy”, and effortless.
Your style resolution for 2017?
To try and rework clothes I already own in order to save money.
Tell us about your new bag for the new season?
I love the Poppy Backpack – it’s the perfect size for everyday use. It perfectly fits my wallet, keys, lipstick, glasses and diary. I love that the Poppy Backpack now comes in Saffiano leather – it looks really premium and chic.
Where will you be carrying it?
I will be wearing it on the weekends as it’s the perfect size for everything I need to carry.
SHOP CANVAS STEAMER BACKPACK IN NAVY
SIMON KENWORTHY, DIGITAL MARKETING EXECUTIVE
How would you describe your style?
Paraphrasing Hardy Amies I like to think my style can be defined as: I bought my clothes with intelligence, put them on with care then completely forgot about them. Meaning my style is appropriate and comfortable.
How do you hope others describe your style?
“He’s a well dressed chap”
Your style resolution for 2017?
Spend more money on alterations and making things fit properly, as someone who wasn’t blessed with long legs I know my way around hemming trousers already!
Tell us about your new bag for the new season?
I commute on a busy train every morning, inevitably in London this means delays and standing! The canvas backpack allows me to go completely hands free whilst offering enough space to carry the essentials: laptop, phone charger, magazine, hat, gloves, bottle of water, curly wurly….without feeling overly full
Where will you be carrying it?
I will be using it every day to commute and it is big enough to use as an overnight bag when I travel. Very versatile!
SHOP THE LARGE PUSHLOCK IN OXBLOOD
LAURA WILMOTT, SENIOR ECOMMERCE TRADING EXECUTIVE
How would you describe your style?
I like buying key pieces that I know won’t go out of style. I would say my look is smart/casual but in the winter I would definitely prefer to wear something that keeps me warm. My clothing palette is very neutral, I wear a lot of grey, black, white and occasionally add in a splash of khaki.
How do you hope others describe your style?
I would hope people say I dress well. They would definitely say I wear a lot of black, maybe too much. I don’t have a girly dress sense and am always in trousers!
I wear what I want. If I am out shopping I always ask for opinions but if I like it, I will still get it no matter what someone else says.
Your style resolution for 2017?
Make more effort! I love being casual and comfy but when I make an effort to look good, I feel good.
I will continue to invest in key pieces but maybe this summer I will experiment with more colour and maybe some summer dresses.
Tell us about your new bag for the new season?
My first bag from The Cambridge Satchel Company was a Push Lock, I saw it in the window and though I HAVE to have it – it was yellow! I don’t carry much around so a push lock or even a cloud is the perfect sized bag for me.
I chose oxblood because it is a classic colour that you can use all year round – which will never go out of style. In the winter it gives that perfect splash of colour to my dark outfits and in the summer it smartens up a simple blue jean/white t-shirt combo.
Where will you be carrying it?
As most of my outfits are dark, I like adding colour through accessories such as shoes or bags. The best thing about the Push Lock is that you can wear it on a night out as a clutch or during the day as a cross-body bag thanks to the detachable strap. Even though it’s a small bag, surprisingly you can fit quite a lot in it!
SHOP THE LARGE TRAVELLER IN FRENCH GREY
GRETA DICIUNAITE, JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN
How would you describe your style?
It could be everything in between urban and cosy.
Your style resolution for 2017?
Buy less and buy better quality clothes.
Tell us about your new bag for the new season?
I love my Traveller Bag, because I can easily fit my everyday essentials like book or bag of snacks. A long cross body strap is very useful when I’m in a hurry or need my hands free (when I’m on my bike for example). Finally, the new French Grey colour goes perfectly with light colours (for summer) and dark shades (black sometimes is my happy colour).
Where will you be carrying it?
On my travels (it’s a traveller after all), to work, on Sunday walks and when I’m seeing friends as well.
SHOP THE POPPY IN CLAY
NICOLA DAVY, HEAD OF BRAND COMMUNICATIONS
How would you describe your style?
Variable. I go through phases of loving a few items that I wear day in/day out until I get bored and then move on to something else. I’m not quite sure I’ve cracked my style yet…!
How do you hope others describe your style?
I’ve been shopping with friends before who look at a piece of clothing and say ‘this is totally you’, so I must have a style that they recognize. Perhaps best not to ask what it is though, and just carry on obliviously doing your thing!
Your style resolution for 2017?
To buy less but perhaps spend more on individual, quality items that will last. That’s been my resolution for the last few years and I now have a few pieces that I truly love, that feel always in style and that make me happy. I was also asked to wear a colourful outfit to an event last year and realized I basically only have smart clothes in black so I’m trying to introduce more colour too!
Tell us about your new bag for the new season?
This season I’m carrying a Poppy bag. It was our bag of 2016 and has become one of my favourites in our collection. It looks really smart but is super practical as it’s actually quite deep.
Where will you be carrying it?
Everywhere. I’m a one bag kind of girl. I recently got married and my East West Tote had my old initials on it so after two years of using it every day I’m now moving to a new style with my new initials.
SARAH BRAND, CREATIVE CONTENT PRODUCER
How would you describe your style?
It’s always a little bit quirky, definitely very feminine but hopefully still quite timeless. My wardrobe features a lot of berets, A-line skirts and dungarees. I’m definitely aware of trends but I’ll only experiment if it fits in with my personal style. I’d say my taste is constantly evolving and as I get further into my twenties I think I’m getting better at recognising what suits me and what I’m going to feel the most comfortable in. I realised recently there’s a bit of a colour palette that I tend to stick to. My wardrobe could be split into five colours I think. (I need to stop living life like I’m in a Wes Anderson film!)
How do you hope others describe your style?
I think they’d say: “French-wannabe”, “definitely googles Alexa Chung a lot”, “likes pink”, “owns a lot of striped tees”, “how many hats does one person need?”.
Your style resolution for 2017?
I really want to experiment with trousers/jeans more. I think there’s a real art to finding shapes and lengths that suit you. Whenever I’m out shopping, I tend to panic and always buy tops and I’ve realised recently that I don’t have much to wear them with. But I also need to shop less. Shop less and fall in love with the pieces I have over and over again.
Tell us about your new bag for the new season?
Just when you thought the Mini Poppy couldn’t get any chicer, it comes along in French Grey Saffiano and it’s dreamy. I love how cute and chic the size is, whenever I wear mine I always get compliments.
Where will you be carrying it?
I think this season I’ll be carrying it most places – it’s a great bag if you’re out all day then have plans in the evening. I like the idea of removing the strap for parties and special occasions and carriying it by the handle; it can look really vintage like that but this new colour gives it a cool, modern finish.
COMING SOON:
THE INSPIRATION BEHIND OUR SPRING COLLECTION
GET TO KNOW MORE MEMBERS OF OUR TEAM BY READING OUR ‘A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF SERIES’
A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF CONTENT EDITOR, SARAH