JB Visits: The Cambridge Satchel Co.

If you find yourself in Covent Garden soon, take a trip to Seven Dials and inside the new Cambridge Satchel Men's store

Let’s not pretend to not be bothered about what we use to carry around our essentials in. It’s always good to have a bag, or in this case satchel, that you want to use everyday. The very British Cambridge Satchelis one that I’ve always had on my radar and so rather last minute I met with Cambridge Satchel at their flagship on James Street before wandering over to their new dedicated men’s store on Shorts Gardens just a short walk away. Unlike most, we’re not an add-on to an existing store which feels nice.

Redesigned to have a different feel to the flagship, the new location has been kitted out very carefully with the personal touch of founder Julie Deane, selecting all the little furnishings you’ll find throughout the store, my personal favourites being the little Wallace and Gromit models. It all feels very British.

Housing all of the new men’s collections, it was good to see all of the new bags, satchels and small leather goods Cambridge Satchel have managed to create up close and not on a screen. There’s seven key styles in total: the classic satchel, messenger, map, cartridge, shoulder, backpacks and tote, all with their different functions and look, but all quite distinguishable as a Cambridge Satchel piece.

In my opinion it’s the clasps on the front that make me think “that’s from Cambridge Satchel”. And other than a couple adjustments to colourways and other finer details, the men’s collection is very similar to the women’s, but now with that stamp of pride that it’s a ‘man’s bag’.

My favourite styles in the store were the backpack and totes as they are slightly more modern styles whilst still retaining a classic feel about them, something that suits me perfectly. And not forgetting the CSC x Vivienne Westwood collection at the front of the store. Well, they were on another level.

I also recently found out that the products are all made right on my doorstep in Leicestershire, meaning a factory visit is definitely on the cards. But for now seeing them in store is good enough for me. Next time you’re in Covent Garden fellas, head over to Shorts Gardens. Thank you for having me Cambridge Satchel!