What Is a Satchel Bag? The Best Designer Satchels of 2026

The satchel is the most quietly useful bag shape there is. It's structured, so it stands up on its own and keeps your things in order. It has a top handle, so you can carry it by hand like a polished work bag, and a strap, so you can wear it on your shoulder or across your body when you need your hands free. It looks smart enough for an office and relaxed enough for a weekend, and it suits almost every outfit, from a kurta to a blazer.

But "satchel" is also one of the most loosely used words in fashion. Brands apply it to everything from a schoolbag-style flap bag to a top-handle zip bag, and shoppers are understandably confused. This guide explains what a satchel really is, where it came from, how it differs from the shapes it's often confused with, and how to choose one. Then it compares the best designer satchels in our shop, from Coach and Tory Burch, using each brand's own specifications.

The short answer

A satchel is a structured bag with a flat base, a top handle (or two) and, usually, a longer strap for shoulder or crossbody wear. It typically closes with a flap, a zip or a snap, and it often has a gusset (the side panels that give it depth) so it holds its shape.

The best designer satchels in our shop, by need:

• For heritage leather: the Coach Bowery 24 Satchel in glovetanned leather.
• For everyday value: the Coach Sabrina Satchel, in pebble leather or Signature canvas, with a zip and protective feet.
• For a soft, relaxed look: the Coach Slouchy Rogue, in soft grain leather with a leather lining.
• For a small, polished satchel: the Tory Burch Mini Eleanor Satchel, with a suede lining and metal feet.
• For space and organisation: the Tory Burch Small Walker Satchel, with a centre zip compartment and room for a 7-inch tablet.
• For quilting and a chain: the Tory Burch Small Kira Diamond Quilt Satchel.

Bowery Satchel 24 (Black)PKR 65,960Sabrina Satchel Bag (Black)PKR 47,530Mini Eleanor Soft Satchel (Light Stone)PKR 71,780Small Walker Satchel (Black)PKR 76,630

What exactly is a satchel?

The defining features

A bag is a satchel when it has most of these features:

• Structure. A satchel holds its shape, usually thanks to firm leather, a flat base and stiffened sides. It stands up on a table.
• A flat base and gussets. The side panels (gussets) give the bag depth, so it can hold books, a tablet or a day's things without bulging.
• A top handle. One or two short handles on top, for carrying by hand or in the crook of your arm.
• A longer strap. Traditionally a long shoulder strap; today usually detachable and adjustable, for shoulder or crossbody wear.
• A closure. Traditionally a flap with buckles or a clasp; today often a zip, a magnetic snap or a turn-lock.

Where the word comes from

"Satchel" comes from the Old French sachel, from the Latin saccellus, meaning "a small bag", itself from saccus, "a sack". The word has been used in English since the Middle Ages for a small bag carried on the shoulder, often for books or documents.

Satchel vs the shapes it's confused with

• Tote: an open-topped bag with two parallel handles, usually unstructured and roomy. A tote has no flap or structure; a satchel does.
• Carryall: Coach's name for many of its structured, top-handle bags with a zip and a strap, such as the Empire and the Brooke. In practice, many carryalls are satchels by another name.
• Doctor's bag: a structured bag with a wide, hinged frame opening at the top, which opens fully to show the contents. It's a specialised satchel.
• Gladstone bag: a 19th-century travel bag on a rigid frame that opens into two halves, named after the British prime minister William Gladstone.
• Briefcase: a flat, rectangular bag for documents, usually with a handle and no long strap. A satchel is deeper and more versatile.
• Messenger bag: a soft bag worn across the body on a long strap, with a large flap. A messenger is soft and strap-first; a satchel is structured and handle-first.
• Top-handle bag: a broad category. A satchel is a top-handle bag with structure and, usually, a shoulder strap.

A short history of the satchel

The schoolbag

For centuries, the satchel was a practical bag for carrying books and papers. The traditional British school satchel, made of stiff leather with a flap fastened by two buckles and a long shoulder strap, was carried by generations of children. Its shape, a flap over a structured, gusseted body, is still what many people picture when they hear the word.

The revival

In 2008, a mother in Cambridge, England, Julie Deane, started making traditional leather satchels to raise money for her children's school fees, with a start-up budget famously of just £600. Her Cambridge Satchel Company became a fashion phenomenon within a few years, as bloggers and fashion editors embraced its colourful versions of the classic schoolbag, and it brought the word "satchel" back into everyday fashion.

The designer satchel

Luxury houses had long made structured top-handle bags: Hermès's Kelly, derived from a 1930s design and named after Grace Kelly in the 1950s, is in many ways the ultimate structured top-handle satchel. Today almost every designer brand makes satchels, usually with a detachable crossbody strap that makes them far more practical than the stiff schoolbags they descend from.

Famous satchels from other houses

The structured top-handle satchel has produced some of the best-known designer bags of recent decades:

• Mulberry Bayswater (2003): the British house's leather satchel-tote with a flap and a padlock, which became one of the defining "It bags" of the 2000s.
• Prada Galleria (2007): a structured top-handle bag in Prada's Saffiano leather, with a crisp, architectural shape that has remained a Prada classic.
• Givenchy Antigona (2010): a geometric, structured satchel by Riccardo Tisci, with a triangular shape and a strong, modern line.

Each shows the same appeal: a bag with structure, a handle and a strap looks polished in a way soft bags rarely do. The Coach and Tory Burch satchels in our shop bring that appeal to accessible-luxury prices.

From buckles to zips: how the satchel changed

The traditional schoolbag satchel fastened its flap with leather straps and buckles. They looked handsome but were slow: you had to undo two buckles every time you wanted your pen. Modern satchels keep the look but change the mechanics. Zips make them quick to open and secure in crowds; magnetic snaps, turn-locks and pushlocks close a flap in a second; and centre zip compartments add a secure section inside an otherwise open bag.

The other big change is the strap. Old satchels had one fixed shoulder strap. Today's designer satchels almost always have a short top handle and a detachable, adjustable long strap, so the same bag can be carried by hand to a meeting, worn on the shoulder for lunch and slung crossbody for the journey home. That versatility is the main reason the satchel has become one of the most popular shapes for a first designer bag.

Why choose a satchel?

• It keeps its shape. A structured bag looks neat when it's full and when it's empty, and it doesn't slump on a desk or a café table.
• It keeps you organised. Satchels usually have defined compartments, so your things don't disappear into a jumble.
• It's versatile. Carry it by hand for meetings, on your shoulder for errands and across your body for travel.
• It looks polished. A structured bag instantly makes an outfit look more put-together.
• It protects what's inside. Firm sides protect a tablet, a book or a lunch box better than a soft bag.

The trade-offs: satchels are usually heavier than soft bags of the same size, they're less forgiving if you overfill them, and their structure means they can't squash into a tight space.

The best designer satchels in our shop

Coach Bowery 24 Satchel (CY918)

A satchel in Coach's heritage glovetanned leather, the leather the brand was built on: full-grain leather finished to feel soft and supple, inspired by the way a baseball glove softens with use. It develops a beautiful patina over time.

• Size: 24 (L) × 15.5 (H) × 9.5 (W) cm
• Handles: 7.5 cm (3") drop; strap: detachable, 54.5 cm (21.5") drop for shoulder or crossbody wear
• Closure: zip
• Inside: snap pocket
• Base: four protective feet

The Bowery is the satchel for someone who loves leather itself: its look will deepen and soften with every year of use. Our Coach history explains glovetanned leather's origins.

Why Coach names its satchels after New York

Look at the names of Coach's structured bags and you'll see a map of New York: the Bowery, a historic street and neighbourhood in lower Manhattan; the Empire, after the Empire State; and, across Coach's wider range, the Chelsea, the Brooklyn, the Gramercy and the Hamptons. It's a nod to the brand's roots: Coach was founded in 1941 in a loft on 34th Street in Manhattan, and it has called itself "Coach New York" ever since.

Glovetanned leather, explained

The Bowery 24 and the Empire Carryall 28 are made in Coach's signature glovetanned leather. Its story begins in the 1940s, when Miles Cahn, who was running the young business by 1950, noticed that baseball gloves became softer and more supple with wear, not weaker. He developed a process to recreate that effect deliberately, making leather stronger, softer and more flexible, and able to absorb colour deeply. More than seventy years later, glovetanned leather is still one of Coach's signatures. It's full-grain, it feels supple from the start, and it develops a rich patina with use, which is why it suits a satchel you plan to carry for years.

Coach Sabrina Satchel

A classic, structured satchel with a zip, short handles, a detachable strap and four protective feet. In our shop it comes in three versions:

• Black, in refined pebble leather and smooth leather.
• Colourblock Ivory/Taupe, in refined pebble leather and smooth leather.
• Signature canvas, Tan/Caramel (CAS19), in Signature coated canvas and smooth leather.

• Size: 10" (L) × 7.25" (H) × 5" (W), or 25.4 × 18.4 × 12.7 cm (Coach lists the canvas version as 25.5 × 18.5 × 12.5 cm)
• Handles: 4" (10 cm) drop; strap: detachable (56 cm drop on the canvas version)
• Closure: zip
• Inside: multifunction pocket

The Sabrina is the best-value designer satchel in our range: a true satchel shape, a secure zip, feet to protect the base, and a choice of tough pebble leather or wipeable canvas.

Coach Rowan Satchel in Blocked Signature Canvas (CY679)

A satchel in Signature coated canvas, from Coach's outlet line, with an outside zip pocket.

• Size: 10" (L) × 6.5" (H) × 5.5" (W), or 25.4 × 16.5 × 14 cm
• Handles: 4.25" (10.8 cm) drop; strap: detachable, 23" (58.4 cm) drop
• Closure: zip
• Pockets: outside zip pocket; inside zip and multifunction pockets

It's the most practical satchel for daily life: the outside zip pocket keeps your phone or transport card within reach, and canvas shrugs off rain and dust. It's a Coach Outlet design; our outlet guide explains what that means.

Coach Lara Mini Satchel

A small satchel in shiny nappa leather with a zip that runs all the way around.

• Size: 8.75" (L) × 4.75" (H) × 3.75" (W), or 22.2 × 12.1 × 9.5 cm
• Handles: 6.5 cm (2.5") drop; strap: detachable, 21.25" (54 cm) drop
• Closure: zip-around
• Inside: two card slots

A satchel for evenings and light days: just your phone, cards, keys and a lipstick.

Coach Slouchy Rogue Top Handle Bag

The Rogue, in soft grain leather with a leather lining, is a softer take on the satchel: structured enough to hold its form, relaxed enough to slouch slightly.

• Handle: top handle with a 4" (10.2 cm) drop; strap: detachable, 21.5" (54.6 cm) drop
• Closure: pushlock
• Pockets: outside zip pocket; inside zip pocket
• Base: four protective feet

The leather lining is a mark of quality you rarely find at this level, and it makes the bag feel luxurious every time you open it.

Sabrina Satchel Bag In Signature Canvas (Tan/Caramel)PKR 47,530Rowan Satchel Bag In Blocked Signature Canvas (Walnut/Tan)PKR 48,500Lara Mini Satchel Bag (Maple)PKR 45,590Slouchy Rogue Top Handle Bag (Black)PKR 63,050

Coach carryalls: satchels by another name

Coach calls many of its structured top-handle bags carryalls. They share the satchel's structure, handles and strap, and several have a centre zip compartment that keeps things especially organised.

• Empire Carryall 28 in glovetanned leather: 35.5 × 21.5 × 16 cm, handles with a 9.5 cm drop, a detachable 54.5 cm strap, a centre zip compartment and four protective feet.
• Empire Carryall 34 in glazed leather (CAM03) or suede (CBN41): 13.5" × 6.25" × 4.75" (34.3 × 15.9 × 12.1 cm), handles with a 9" (22.9 cm) drop, a zip-top, an inside lanyard with a dogleash clip for your keys, and four protective feet.
• Soft Empire Carryall 21 in natural grain leather (CCY99): 20.5 × 17.5 × 13 cm, with a zip-top, a 13.5 cm handle drop, a detachable 54.5 cm strap and feet.
• Brooke Carryall in polished pebble leather (CE732): 26 × 19.7 × 12.7 cm, with a centre zip compartment, feet and room for an 11-inch iPad Pro.
• Savannah Small Carryall, in refined pebble leather or Signature canvas: 28.6 × 17.8 × 10.2 cm, with a magnetic snap, a centre zip compartment and feet.
• Andrea Carryall, in Signature canvas (CP083) or Signature jacquard (CT766): 22.2 × 16.5 × 11.4 cm, with a zip and feet.
• Grace Carryall, in refined pebble, smooth and snake-embossed leather: 23.5 × 17.8 × 11.4 cm, with a zip, an outside slip pocket and feet.
• Station Carryall in Signature canvas: 11" × 8" × 4.5" (27.9 × 20.3 × 11.4 cm), with a magnetic snap, a centre zip compartment and room for an 8-inch tablet.

Empire Carryall Bag 28 (Black)PKR 63,050Empire Carryall Bag 34 (Black)PKR 66,930Brooke Carryall Bag 28 (Black)PKR 48,500Savannah Small Carryall Bag (Black)PKR 56,260

Tory Burch Small Walker Satchel

A roomy, structured satchel in what Tory Burch describes as bonded textured Italian leather, with protective metal feet and a removable luggage tag.

• Size: 28.2 (L) × 20.7 (H) × 11 (D) cm
• Handles: 11 cm drop; strap: adjustable, removable, 56.5 cm drop
• Closure: magnetic snap bridge
• Inside: centre zip compartment, two open compartments, two slit pockets
• Holds: a 7-inch tablet
• Dust bag: not guaranteed; ask us if it matters

With three compartments, it's the most organised satchel in our range, ideal for work.

Tory Burch Eleanor Suede Satchel

A larger satchel in suede with leather trim and a suede lining, closed by the Eleanor's Double T, in Caramel or Dark Cocoa.

• Size: 32 (L) × 21 (H) × 12.8 (D) cm
• Handle: leather top handle with a 12.5 cm drop; strap: adjustable, removable, 40 cm drop
• Closure: magnetic snap
• Inside: a flap pocket with a snap on the centre divider
• Base: protective metal feet
• Dust bag: not guaranteed; ask us if it matters

Warm, rich and beautiful in winter; keep it away from rain.

Tory Burch Mini Eleanor Satchel

The Eleanor's satchel shape in miniature, in several finishes: pebbled leather (Light Stone and Dark Kale), croc-embossed leather (Pale Blush) and lizard-embossed leather with suede and leather trim.

• Size: 20.5 (L) × 13.5 (H) × 8 (D) cm
• Handle: 10.5 cm drop; strap: adjustable, removable crossbody strap, 56.5 cm drop
• Closure: magnetic snap
• Inside: centre divider, two card pockets; suede lining on the pebbled versions
• Base: protective metal feet (pebbled versions)
• Dust bag: not guaranteed; ask us if it matters

A small, polished satchel that works crossbody for errands and by hand for dinners.

Tory Burch Kira Satchels

• Small Kira Diamond Quilt Satchel (161885): leather with diamond quilting, 26.5 × 19 × 7.5 cm, a bridge with magnetic snap closure, a double chain top handle with a 10 cm drop and an adjustable, removable 56.5 cm crossbody strap.
• Kira Quilted Satchel, Large: leather with a flap and turn-lock closure, a top handle with an 11 cm drop and an adjustable, removable 54 cm shoulder strap, with an exterior slit pocket, three interior slit pockets and a zip pocket.

The Kira satchels bring quilting and Tory Burch's Double T to the satchel shape, for a softer, dressier look.

Eleanor Suede Satchel (Caramel)PKR 72,750Mini Eleanor Croc-Embossed Satchel (Pale Blush)PKR 77,600Small Kira Diamond Quilt Shoulder Bag (Taupe Oak)PKR 72,750Kira Quilted Satchel (Toasted Sesame / Rolled Gold)PKR 85,360

The satchels side by side

Satchels in our shopAll top-handle bags →

CoachMini Sierra Satchel Bag In Signature Canvas (Brown/Pink)PKR 41,710Sourced to order

CoachMini Sierra Satchel Bag in Signature Canvas (Brown/Black)PKR 44,620Sourced to order

CoachMini Sierra Satchel Bag In Signature Canvas (Beige/White)PKR 44,620Sourced to order

CoachMini Sierra Satchel Bag (White)PKR 44,620Sourced to order

CoachLara Mini Satchel Bag (Maple)PKR 45,590Sourced to order

CoachSabrina Satchel Bag In Signature Canvas (Tan/Caramel)PKR 47,530Sourced to order

CoachSabrina Satchel Bag (Black)PKR 47,530Sourced to order

CoachSabrina Satchel Bag In Colorblock (Im/Ivory/Taupe)PKR 47,530Sourced to order

Satchel, crossbody or shoulder bag: which suits your day?

A satchel isn't always the right choice. Here's how it compares with the two shapes it competes with most.

• Choose a satchel if you want structure and polish, if you often carry your bag into meetings, dinners or formal events, and if you value organisation. It's the bag that looks most "put together".
• Choose a crossbody if you're mostly on the move, in markets, on public transport, travelling or running errands, and want your hands free and your bag secure. Our crossbody guide compares Coach's best.
• Choose a shoulder bag if you want something easy and relaxed that slips on and off, and you don't need a top handle. Our Teri guide and the shoulder bags guide cover these.

Because most modern satchels come with a detachable crossbody strap, a satchel can do the job of all three, which is why it's such a popular first designer bag.

A satchel for every stage of life

• Students: a canvas satchel with a zip and a crossbody strap, such as the Coach Rowan Satchel, is light, tough and secure on campus.
• Young professionals: a structured leather satchel in black or brown, such as the Coach Sabrina or the Tory Burch Small Walker, looks polished at work and smart at the weekend.
• Mothers: a carryall with a centre zip compartment and feet, such as the Coach Brooke or the Empire 28, keeps essentials organised and protected.
• For evenings at any age: a mini satchel, such as the Tory Burch Mini Eleanor or the Coach Lara Mini, carried by its handle.
• For a timeless classic: glovetanned leather, such as the Coach Bowery 24, which only gets better with age.

Common satchel mistakes

• Choosing one that's too big. A large satchel looks impressive in a shop but can be heavy and awkward every day. Choose the smallest size that fits what you really carry.
• Ignoring the handle drop. A satchel with a very short handle can only be carried in the hand. If you want to wear it on your arm or shoulder, check the drop.
• Forgetting the weight. Structured leather bags weigh more than soft ones before you put anything in them. If you walk a lot, consider canvas.
• Overfilling it. A satchel's structure doesn't stretch. Overfilling strains the zip and seams and spoils the shape.
• Choosing the wrong closure for your life. A flap or snap is elegant, but a zip is far more secure in crowded places and in the monsoon.
• Storing it badly. A structured bag stored crushed, or hung by its handle, loses its shape. Store it stuffed and upright.

How to pack a satchel

1. Put flat things against the back wall: a tablet, a notebook, documents.
2. Use the centre zip compartment, if your satchel has one, for valuables: phone, wallet, cards and keys.
3. Put small things in a pouch so they don't rattle around the base.
4. Stand a slim bottle upright at one end, if the bag is tall enough.
5. Leave a little space, so the zip closes easily and the bag keeps its shape.

A satchel as a gift

A structured leather satchel is a thoughtful gift for a graduation, a new job, a wedding or Eid, because it's useful and it looks special. Choose a classic colour (black, brown, tan or a soft neutral), a medium size such as the Coach Sabrina or the Tory Burch Mini Eleanor, and a material that's easy to look after, such as pebbled leather or Signature canvas.

A satchel buying checklist

1. What will you carry? Measure your largest everyday items, such as a tablet or a long wallet.
2. How will you carry it? By hand, on the arm, on the shoulder or crossbody? Check the handle and strap drops.
3. How secure does it need to be? A zip for crowds, travel and rain.
4. How heavy is it empty? Lighter materials for long walks.
5. Does it have feet? For protecting the base and standing neatly.
6. Which leather suits you? Glovetanned for patina, pebbled for toughness, canvas for lightness, suede and nappa for softness.
7. Is it genuine? Check the style number and buy from an accountable seller.

How to choose a satchel

Size

• Mini (around 20 to 22 cm long): the Tory Burch Mini Eleanor, the Coach Lara Mini. For a phone, cards, keys and a lipstick.
• Small to medium (around 24 to 28 cm): the Coach Bowery 24, the Sabrina, the Rowan Satchel, the Tory Burch Small Walker and Small Kira. The everyday size: a phone, a wallet, keys, sunglasses, makeup and a small bottle.
• Large (over 30 cm): the Coach Empire 28 and 34, the Tory Burch Eleanor Suede Satchel. For work, a tablet, documents or a full day out.

Closure

• Zip (Bowery, Sabrina, Rowan, Lara, Empire): the most secure, best for crowds, travel and the monsoon.
• Magnetic snap (Tory Burch Walker, Eleanor, Kira): quick to open; less secure than a zip, but many have a zipped inner compartment.
• Flap with turn-lock (Kira Quilted Satchel): elegant and secure, the classic satchel closure.
• Pushlock (Coach Rogue): a smart, firm closure.

Handles and straps

Check two numbers: the handle drop, which decides whether you can carry the bag on your arm or only in your hand, and the strap drop, which decides where it sits when worn crossbody. A handle drop of around 10 cm is for hand-carrying and the crook of the arm; 12 cm or more lets some people slip the bag over the shoulder; the long straps of 54 to 58 cm sit around hip level crossbody on most people.

Structure and feet

If you want a satchel that stands neatly on a desk and protects its base, choose one with metal feet. Most of the satchels here have them.

Leather

• Glovetanned leather (Bowery, Empire 28) for patina and character.
• Pebbled leather (Sabrina, Brooke, Mini Eleanor) for scratch resistance and everyday toughness.
• Signature canvas (Sabrina, Rowan, Savannah, Andrea, Station) for light weight and easy cleaning.
• Nappa, suede and embossed leathers for softness and texture on dressier days.

How to carry a satchel

A satchel's versatility is its best quality. Each way of carrying it changes the look:

• By the handle, in your hand: the most polished, perfect for meetings, dinners and weddings.
• In the crook of your arm: elegant and classic, with your hand free.
• On the shoulder, with the strap: practical for errands.
• Crossbody: hands-free and secure, for travel, shopping and crowds. Wear it in front of you in busy places.

When you put a satchel down, stand it on its base or its feet rather than on its side, so the corners and edges stay unscuffed.

Styling a satchel with Pakistani clothes

• For the office, a structured leather satchel in black, tan or brown (the Sabrina, the Brooke, the Tory Burch Small Walker) looks professional with formal shalwar kameez, an abaya or western office wear.
• For weddings and dinners, carry a small satchel by its handle: the Tory Burch Mini Eleanor in croc-embossed leather, the Coach Lara Mini in shiny nappa, or the Kira with its quilting and chain handle.
• For Eid, a satchel in a soft colour, or with a decorative texture, suits festive clothes.
• With a dupatta, carrying the satchel by its handle avoids the tangling that a crossbody strap can cause.
• For winter, the Tory Burch Eleanor Suede Satchel in Caramel or Dark Cocoa looks rich with shawls and darker colours.
• For everyday errands, a canvas satchel worn crossbody, like the Coach Rowan, is light, secure and easy.

Satchels through Pakistan's seasons

• Summer: Signature canvas and pebbled leather are the easiest to live with in the heat. Keep any satchel out of a hot car, where structured bags can lose their shape and linings can suffer.
• Monsoon: choose a zip-top satchel in canvas or pebbled leather, and keep glovetanned leather, suede and nappa at home on wet days. If a leather satchel gets wet, blot it, stuff it with tissue and let it dry naturally.
• Winter and wedding season: the richest leathers and textures come into their own: suede, glovetanned leather, croc-embossed finishes and quilting.

Caring for a satchel

Structured bags need a little extra care to keep their shape.

• Don't overfill it. A satchel's structure is its beauty; overstuffing strains the seams and spoils the shape.
• Store it stuffed and upright, on its feet, filled with acid-free tissue, in its dust bag or a breathable cloth bag.
• Detach the strap for storage so it doesn't crease or leave marks on the leather.
• Don't hang it by the handle for long periods, which can stretch or distort the handle.
• Glovetanned leather (Bowery, Empire 28): let the patina develop; wipe with a dry cloth, and condition occasionally as Coach advises. Keep it out of rain.
• Pebbled leather: wipe with a soft, dry cloth; very low maintenance.
• Signature canvas: wipe with a slightly damp cloth.
• Suede (Tory Burch Eleanor Suede): brush gently with a suede brush, keep it dry, and keep it away from humidity.
• Embossed and patent finishes: wipe with a soft cloth; store separately to avoid colour transfer.
• In the monsoon, keep leather and suede satchels indoors on wet days, and never store any bag in plastic.

What fits in a satchel

• A mini satchel (around 20 to 22 cm) holds a large phone, a card case, keys and a lipstick.
• A medium satchel (around 24 to 28 cm) holds all that plus a compact or medium wallet, sunglasses, a small makeup pouch and often a small water bottle. The Tory Burch Small Walker takes a 7-inch tablet.
• A large satchel or carryall (over 30 cm) takes a tablet, an A5 notebook, a long wallet and more. The Coach Brooke takes an 11-inch iPad Pro, and the Station Carryall an 8-inch tablet.

For a laptop, you need a work tote or brief rather than a satchel; our laptop bags guide compares them.

Satchels for men

The satchel isn't only a women's bag. Its schoolbag ancestors were carried by everyone, and structured leather satchels and messenger-style bags remain classic men's work bags. For men, look for a satchel in a plain, dark leather or canvas with a long crossbody strap, and enough depth for a tablet and documents. Coach's briefs, such as the Sullivan Portfolio Brief and the Ethan Slim Brief, are satchel-like work bags with dedicated laptop sections, and our men's luxury guide covers men's bags in more detail.

How to know your satchel is genuine

Check the style number on the inside tag against the brand's website (for example CY918 for the Coach Bowery 24, CAS19 for the Sabrina in Signature canvas, CY679 for the Rowan Satchel and 161885 for the Tory Burch Small Kira Diamond Quilt Satchel). Look closely at the stitching, edges, hardware and lining, and be wary of any "original" far below the brand's price. Our guide to buying luxury brands in Pakistan explains the checks.

Every bag we sell is bought from official retailers, checked by hand and video-recorded before it ships.

Frequently asked questions

What is a satchel bag?

A structured bag with a flat base, a top handle and usually a longer strap for shoulder or crossbody wear, closing with a flap, zip or snap.

What's the difference between a satchel and a tote?

A tote is open-topped, usually unstructured, with two parallel handles. A satchel is structured, closes, and usually has both a top handle and a long strap.

Is a carryall a satchel?

Often, yes. Coach uses "carryall" for many structured top-handle bags with a zip and a strap, which are satchels in all but name.

Are satchels good for work?

Yes. Their structure keeps documents and devices protected, and they look polished. For a laptop, though, choose a work tote or brief.

Can you wear a satchel crossbody?

Most modern satchels come with a detachable strap of around 54 to 58 cm for crossbody wear.

Which satchel is best for everyday use?

The Coach Sabrina, in pebble leather or Signature canvas, with its zip and protective feet; or the Coach Rowan Satchel in canvas, with its outside zip pocket.

Which satchel is best for evenings?

A small satchel carried by its handle: the Tory Burch Mini Eleanor, the Coach Lara Mini or the Tory Burch Small Kira.

Where does the word "satchel" come from?

From the Old French sachel and the Latin saccellus, meaning "a small bag".

Are satchels heavy?

Structured leather satchels weigh more than soft bags of the same size, because of their firm leather and construction. Canvas satchels, such as the Coach Rowan Satchel or the Sabrina in Signature canvas, are lighter.

What's the most secure satchel?

One with a zip, such as the Coach Bowery 24, the Sabrina, the Rowan Satchel or the Empire carryalls. Satchels with a centre zip compartment, such as the Brooke or the Tory Burch Small Walker, add another layer of security.

Can a satchel fit a tablet?

Some can. Coach says the Brooke Carryall fits an 11-inch iPad Pro and the Station Carryall an 8-inch tablet, and Tory Burch says the Small Walker holds a 7-inch tablet.

What's the difference between a satchel and a doctor's bag?

A doctor's bag is a type of satchel with a wide, hinged frame opening that opens fully at the top. Most satchels open with a zip, flap or snap instead.

Do you deliver satchels across Pakistan?

Yes, free, to every city in Pakistan.

Sources

• Online Etymology Dictionary, satchel (the word's origins)
• Wikipedia, Cambridge Satchel Company (Julie Deane and the 2008 revival) and Gladstone bag
• Our Coach history (glovetanned leather)
• Coach's and Tory Burch's official product specifications (sizes, materials, closures, straps and style numbers) for each bag in our shop.