When the lovely people from the London-based satchel manufacturer
Cut Make Trim contacted me recently and offered me one of their beautiful bags for review, I didn't need to be asked twice. Well, you know how much I love handbags!
I was allowed to choose a bag to review in the colour of my choice, and I instantly fell in love with their barrel bag, which appealed to me as it was a little different to the average satchel. (More on that in a minute!) There were twenty-one lovely colours to choose from and believe me, choosing wasn't easy! (It took me over an hour!) I eventually decided to do something out of character and went with the fuscia; a colour I have very little of in my wardrobe. I'm not a 'pink' person at all, but the bold colour stood out to me on screen, and when it turned up on my doorstep a few days later, I wasn't disappointed.
As you can see, the bag is absolutely beautiful! I may have squealed with happiness when I opened the box to find this beautifully crafted bag inside. I instantly loved everything about it.
This
barrel bag is Cut Make Trim's fantastic alternative to the classic satchel. The reason I say that is because it's so much wider than the average satchel, which means it has lots more space for all those essentials- without compromising on that beautiful classic style we all know and love! It's the perfect satchel for anybody who likes to carry everything but the kitchen sink around with them in their handbag, but it's just as functional if you prefer to travel light. It's a good medium-sized bag, measuring approximately 31cm long x 19cm wide x 22cm deep (at the widest points).
I took my bag out to the cinema last week, and I was impressed by how much I was able to fit in it. I managed to fit all my essentials in with room to spare, even after the addition of a cardigan, Kindle, and a beverage! It was one step away from becoming a Mary Poppins bag; I was sure if I dug deep enough, a lamp or a coat stand was going to appear from its depths!
One of the qualities I look for in an every day bag is enough room to carry a book and a drink alongside all the usual essentials, and this barrel bag more than caters to my needs. It's not just stunning, but it's practical too. It's a fantastic bag for both work and play, and will instantly make any outfit look stylish!
Like all of Cut Make Trim's bags, this barrel bag has been hand crafted by a small team of experienced crafts people in a small workshop in London, using high quality leathers and fittings. I have to say, the quality of both the materials and the skills of the team really do shine through in this high quality bag!
The leather is of fantastic quality, which is obvious in the thickness of each piece, the good weight of the bag, the overall sturdiness, and the flawless, smooth texture. The leather is so smooth I can't stop myself from running my hands along it every time I pick it up. (Maybe I shouldn't admit to that?)
The barrel bag is secured by two metal buckles on the front, which need to be fastened by hand. It can be a little inconvenient when you're in a rush to grab your phone or your purse, but with a little patience, it doesn't take too long to buckle and unbuckle the straps. I've yet to see a vintage-style satchel with poppers or clasps underneath the straps, so the buckles are a common feature and add to the beauty of the design.
Each strap has four notches. I keep mine on the tightest notch, but the others will be invaluable if the leather slackens over time, or on those days I pack a little too much.
It features a handle on both the front and the back of the bag. This design doesn't have a handle on the top.
It also comes with a detachable shoulder strap, which can be adjusted to sit on the shoulder or across the body. It can be adjusted to seven different notches, which helps to cater to our different needs and preferences. I'm 5'6'' and the bag, fully extended, sits on my hip across the body, and at the top of my thigh on the shoulder. I'm pleased about that, because I prefer a longer length.
As for the colour, this shade is known as 'fuscia' and it's a stunning deep magenta, which I think looks stylish- and not tacky like some pink accessories can appear. I'm not much of a 'pink person', but I fell in love with it online, and I love it even more in person. The colour is so bold and cheerful, and it definitely advertises my love of colour! It makes a statement, that for sure, and I love how the fuscia adds a modern spin to a classic style of bag.
If pink isn't your thing, the barrel bag also comes in twenty other colours! From classic tan, black and navy, to colourful purple, green and yellow, fashionable neons and pretty Spring pastels, they've got the classics, the trends, and our colour preferences covered!
The barrel bag currently retails at £84, which is fantastic considering it's a handmade leather bag, using leathers of higher quality than many of the leading satchel manufacturers. The price is affordable and cheaper than similar satchels I've seen by other companies. This is because Cut Make Trim bags are ordered direct from the makers, which means you aren't paying for the expensive adverts or the cost of running brick and mortar shops, so we are able to get their beautifully made products at a smaller price. They also offer free delivery on all of their products, which is brilliant!
Alongside the
barrel bag, Cut Make Trim also make
saddle bags, and satchels in three sizes (
11.5",
13" and
15"), with prices starting at £44. All items can be bought via their website in a wide range of gorgeous colours. They are also available every Saturday and Sunday at the Jubilee Hall Craft Market in Covent Garden, London, where you can see all the designs in person.
I was provided with a special code so that I could 'purchase'* this bag from the website myself, in order to get a real feel for the full shopping experience. The website was very easy to shop from. I shopped, checked out, registered, and paid for my purchase within two minutes! The great thing is that you don't have to register before you add items to your basket; it can be done at the checkout, and only takes a minute. Unlike some websites, you aren't asked to fill in a million details to sign up. It was extremely easy!
The website was very easy to navigate. It's simple, clean, and uncluttered, and I had no problems finding what I was looking for. The information available is quite basic, and I would personally love to see some advice for caring for the bags- such as what to clean the leather with if something is spilt on it and so on. Apart from that, it told me everything I needed to know, including a little about the brand, their London workshop and the designs themselves.
The delivery service was completely free, and I'm pleased to say my order arrived within three working days without a hitch.
The only thing I feel is missing from the design of the bag is an indication of who made it; there isn't a label inside proudly displaying the brand! It would also be useful to have a dust bag to protect it when its not in use; a leaflet or label provided with care advice; and perhaps a little information about where it came from!
However, the main factor is the product, and I'm extremely impressed with my beautiful
barrel bag. It's wonderfully made, stunning, and practical, and I have a feeling this bag is going to stay with me for many years to come! I love this bag so much, I'm already thinking about saving up for the same bag in
fluorescent orange!
I'm smitten with Cut Make Trim's striking designs and wonderful craftsmanship and I think we should expect good things from them in the future!
If this review has interested you, why not pop on over to their website
here where you can get a closer look at the full range of designs available!
Thanks for reading.
*The barrel bag was gifted to me by Cut Make Trim in exchange for a review. As always, all words, opinions, and photographs are my own.
