Satchel
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A satchel is a bag, often with a strap worn diagonally across the body so the bag hangs on the opposite hip, and its back extends to form a flap that folds over the top and fastens in the front. Satchels were traditionally used by students for carrying books and are now used for many purposes, by women as handbags and by men and women in place of a briefcase, since a satchel is soft-sided. This guide covers the classic Oxford and Cambridge school style, the satchel backpack, and the bag's older names, the Roman loculus and the Colombian carriel.
Satchel
What is a satchel?
A satchel is a cross-body bag used by men, women, and children.
A satchel is a bag, often with a strap. The strap is often worn so that it diagonally crosses the body, with the bag hanging on the opposite hip, rather than hanging directly down from the shoulder. The back of a satchel extends to form a flap that folds over to cover the top and fastens in the front.
They were traditionally used for carrying books by students, but are now used for many purposes. Satchel style handbags are carried by women for all sorts of occasions. Men & women often use a satchel handbag rather than a traditional brief case to carry work materials between the home & office. Unlike some briefcases, a satchel is soft-sided.
Other names for satchels include a loculus and carriel. Roman legionaries carried a satchel (a loculus). A carriel is a small leather satchel from Colombia with a long history dating back 400 years. Letter carriers(mailmen) in many countries often carry a mail satchel.
The traditional Oxford and Cambridge style satchel is a simple design that features a simple pouch with a front flap. Variations include designs with a single or double pocket on the front and sometimes a handle on the top of the bag. The classic school bag satchel often had two straps, so that it could be worn like a backpack, with the design having the straps coming in a V from the center of the back of the bag, rather than separate straps on each side. This style is sometimes called a satchel backpack.
Is a satchel the same as a messenger bag?
They are basically the same. If you are eager for a difference between a satchel and messenger bag, the messenger bag is possibly larger in size than a typical modern day satchel handbag or satchel bag used for various daily purposes. However, it is possible that they can be the same size.
Women's satchel handbag will look different then a men's satchel bag. Here are a few examples of satchel purses.
You may also want to learn about handbags such as hobo bags and totes.
Learn about different types of handbags.
As a fashion accessory, handbags can be categorized according to the silhouette of the bag, as well as the type of handle. It is a good idea to pick a handbag for your body type.
You can shop at fine fashion stores such as Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, & Neiman Marcus for satchel bags. You may want to visit The Cambridge Satchel Company website as well.
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Choosing and Carrying a Satchel
Three construction points decide how a satchel works in daily use. The first is the flap: it folds over the top from the back of the bag and fastens in front, which keeps the contents covered without a zipper running across the opening. The second is the strap. Worn diagonally, it spreads the load across the body and leaves both hands free, and the bag rides on the opposite hip rather than pulling straight down from one shoulder. The third is the body itself: a satchel is soft-sided, so it gives against books, papers and work materials instead of holding a rigid briefcase shape.
Size is the main buying decision, and it follows from what will be carried. The traditional school role, carrying books, is still the benchmark: a satchel that takes books and papers flat, without forcing the flap, will also take the materials carried between home and office. Shoppers comparing a satchel with a messenger bag will find the two overlap almost completely, with the messenger bag tending larger. For a smaller daily load, the women's satchel handbag versions scale the same flap-and-strap design down to handbag size.
Common Questions
Is a satchel the same as a messenger bag?
They are basically the same. If a difference is wanted, the messenger bag is possibly larger in size than a typical modern satchel handbag or satchel bag used for daily purposes, though the two can also be the same size.
What are a loculus and a carriel?
A loculus is the satchel Roman legionaries carried; loculus is another name for a satchel. A carriel is a small leather satchel from Colombia with a long history dating back 400 years.
What is the Oxford and Cambridge style satchel?
A simple design featuring a simple pouch with a front flap. Variations include designs with a single or double pocket on the front and sometimes a handle on the top. The classic school bag satchel often had two straps so it could be worn like a backpack, the straps coming in a V from the center of the back of the bag, a style sometimes called a satchel backpack.