Boring bag: help needed!

[sarah-jane]

This is not a pretty bag, nor even an interesting one! But I hate not knowing what it is, what it was used for - and what to call it on the shop label! It's quite dinky (27cm across-18cm high-5cm deep), too small to be a music bag I think. Too small to be a useful school bag, although I do spy some pen marks inside. And I always think of a satchel having a long strap, which this doesn't have.





Inside:



I think (!) you can click on the photos if you need a larger image. Any clues to dates would be much appreciated too.

Many thanks.

 

[catwalkcreative]

Hi Sarah Jane,

My first impression before I read your message was leather satchel/grab bag. Ok, not the prettiest bag in the world but I don't think it's boring. It looks like it's made of good quality leather, it's construction looks sturdy and the colour will co-ordinate well with just about anything.

The size makes it a good everyday bag, perfect for work and carrying all your everyday essentials. It's big enough to carry a fold-away umbrella too. I can't see the leather close-up but someone obviously enjoyed using it if there's a few pen marks inside. Good quality leather usually looks better with age. You might not get big £££ for it but I'm sure someone will love it!

 

[retro ruth]

Personally I love these kind of functional/utilitarian leather bags. They work well with a boho look, and are kind of timeless. Could it even be a vintage 'manbag'?

 

[MyVintageCocktail]

I really like these sorts of bags, and have bought a few of varying sizes. They are great as "mini briefcases" to stick a steno-sized notepad, a pen or two, and other small work materials into. Also to use as an "all in one"; you can put your wallet, comb and cell phone in there. I sell real estate part time, and bags like this are great to take out on appointments. I even have a wee tape measure I put in for measuring rooms.

I buy these because you can't find real leather ones anymore unless you spend a small fortune. If you clean yours up nicely and condition the leather, it'll look great. You can, if the inside is "raw" (napped) leather, clean that with a special cleaner you can get in the shoe-care section of the grocery or department store. Or in a shoe store.

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

I would call this a document satchel.

 

[sarah-jane]

Thanks everyone - you've all been so complimentary that I feel rather bad for calling it boring! I don't think it heard me though... Utilitarian is a good description, though I think it's a woman's bag. And a document satchel is good too Mary Jane. Thanks for the cleaning advice Anne (it is napped leather inside).

Would anyone like to have a stab at a date?? Classic designs like this are so tough to pin down - I could convince myself of most decades from 40s to 70s!