It was once we reached the end of the last century really, that the demise of the handbag as a girl’s most essential item began!  As we’ve progressed into the 21^st century, more and more of us have been ditching our hand-held carry-alls in favor of more useful items, such as a womens leather backpack, laptop bag or messenger bag.   So why is this exactly?

• Handbags have sort of become more hassle than they are worth – a veritable pit in which you can never find the items that you are looking for because there are too many pockets in which to lose essentials, or items just sink to the black hole at the bottom of the bag, never to be seen again.  With womens backpacks there is just as much space but it is not so easy to lose things: essential grab-quick items – keys, mobile, lippie are in the small pocket, whilst bigger, valuable or less-used items are safely stowed inside.
• When find yourself accidentally shopping (as you do), with a handbag you still end up with a carrier or two in tow by the time you’ve visited a couple of shops, even if you are just buying DVDs or make-up.  Carrying carriers as well as a handbag quickly makes you bogged down with baggage, whereas by using a backpack instead it’s easy to just pop purchases all into the big pouch and carry on your way – with still just the one bag and all hands-free!
• When handbags were ‘invented’ women carried little more than cosmetic, sanitary or small domestic necessities.  In contemporary society we have a much greater variety of necessary items, including social, entertainment and even business hardware such as mobile phones, ipods, MP3s, netbooks and laptop computers, most of which we carry with us either out of on-the-move necessity or to transport them  between home and work.  For the most part, a womens laptop backpack fits the bill for carrying such items safely and easily, much more than a handbag.
• Women in cities have long since learned that handbags are not the best portable system for valuables.  Inside pockets of a jacket are deemed to be the safest of all but, given the space needed for the other essential items for transportation, this is not always possible.  A womens leather backpack fulfils space and safety criteria, particularly where the backpack can be worn across the front, limiting any interference or theft from behind (as it were)!
• Part of the appeal that kept handbags in front in terms of lingering preference is the sheer range of styles, colors and sizes that make them so attractively versatile.  However, since female backpacks have grown in popularity we now have options that mean we can have a pink leather backpack or chic Italian leather backpacks if we choose – we’re not limited to bri-nylon sports versions!

So, plenty of reasons why backpacks for babes are in and handbags are out, so be assured that your womens leather backpack not only keeps your items as safe as can be, but also keeps you right on-trend!

Now, I always dismissed one batch of leather as being pretty much the same as another, until I had call to research saddleback leather on behalf of a friend.  It’s interesting to note that it’s a fabric that actually does as it says, being very suited to saddle manufacture as it can withstand the rigors of horseback riding much more than some of its contemporaries, that is to say ‘other’ leathers.  So, what do you need to look for to ensure you are closest to getting the genuine saddleback leather that you want?

Firstly, it’s possible to buy this genuine quality leather from specific manufacturers, for example it is easy enough to find a saddleback leather company on-line and then, on-line or on premises, genuine saddleback leather manufacturers will guide you to their own outlets or be able to signpost customers to retail outlets that they regularly supply.

Once you are in a leather store (recommended or not) and you are not sure if an item is manufactured from genuine saddleback leather, there are a few tell-tale signifiers that you can look out for.  For instance:

• Saddleback leather has a thicker, fuller ‘grain’ than other leathers.  This means that as saddleback leather ages, it does not weaken, hence its durability in the saddle!

• Saddleback leather prices tend to be higher because you are paying for the durability and the additional expenses incurred in the manufacture of genuine saddleback leather.  For example, a lesser quality leather may be significantly cheaper because it is only partially tanned, whereas saddleback leather is fully tanned so that it will not be prone to cracking or drying out (which can be a problem with only partially tanned leather items).   This is why even smaller items such as backpacks and satchels could be more expensive: because they are made to be long-lasting.

• Look carefully at the seams and bindings of leather items.  Items made from saddleback leather will include industrial-strength sewing (necessary because of the thicker quality of the leather) and will be completed with similarly industrial quality thread, which is should be fray, water and UV resistant.  In this way, you can be sure that your saddleback leather satchel will not fall apart at the seams after the second use!

• Similarly, look closely at finishing pieces or attachments to leather items.   A genuinely handcrafted saddleback leather backpack, for example, should have hidden reinforcement to parts such as straps.  This reinforcement should come from nylon straps which are sewn into the leather straps, because these will be the parts of the leather that are under the most stress.  Nylon is particularly used because it does not stretch itself, so will support the leather, thus reducing its wear and tear through stretching – a common complaint of inferior leather backpacks.

Happily, as we have become more eco-conscious, there is more demand for durability rather than disposability of items and saddleback leather fits this bill entirely!  So if you are shopping around for hardwearing and serviceable leather items, from furnishings to accessories, think about spending a little more to saddle up to a bit of quality!

The leather messenger bag is a unisex carrier that offers multifunctional usage to customers. Traditionally designed with an adjustable shoulder strap for ultimate comfort whilst carrying, these bags can carry a range of materials while boasting superb style aesthetics. There is a diversity of range to suit both men and women, and bag produced in different colors of leather to suit every possible visual requirement. The most interesting product type is the men’s messenger bag, which has to retain a masculine quality to ensure popularity amongst its customers.

Messenger Bags for Men

The men’s leather messenger bag has been careful designed to provide a sleek style accessory that is both functional and masculine. They achieve this balance through an often slim but square and rugged design, often using coarse and darker colored leather for the finished aesthetic. To compliment this, most models come with brushed metal hardware on the strap. Another feature of the mans messenger bag is its capacity for holding many gadgets, including a laptop with up to a 15 inch screen, cell phone and multiple pen and card holder pockets. Some messenger bags also offer space for a PDA and iPod, and also an expandable zip section to create even further compartments for storage. As well as boasting a durable and adjustable strap for maximum strength and comfort, many male messenger bags also have a grab handle for versatility.

The Kenneth Cole Leather Messenger Bag Range

Kenneth Cole is a popular and renowned producer of many male and female accessories. They are especially well known for their varied and stylish range of male jewelry, accessories and fragrances.  Over recent years, they have produced for sale an increasing number of messenger bag designs, which meld a contemporary and minimalist concept with a deceptively large internal space with which to carry goods and gadgets. The Kenneth Cole leather messenger bag range is also relatively affordable, with typical products ranging from day bags to for more multifunctional carriers at a price range between $50 and $250.

The Wilson Leather Messenger Bag Range

Wilson Leather is one of the leading retailers on quality and stylish accessories and outside wear. They are renowned for producing leather goods of luxurious aesthetics, and have been trading under various forms since 1899. The company as it is recognized today was the result of a merger completed in 1988, since when the company has produced many products in the accessory and bag range. Wilson leather messenger bags sell through their stores and website, and are again designed in masculine brown and black leather shades. Exceptionally stylish and beautifully designed, the full sales price of their messenger bags is between $140 and $200, meaning their cheaper products are slightly more expensive than most of the Kenneth Cole range.

There is no doubt that the leather messenger bag sets the trend in modern outdoor accessorizing, particularly within the male product market. The leading brands manage to effectively gel style and purpose, without compromising the masculine qualities that most men require from their bags and accessories.