Can You Have Too Many Bags? // Village England

The answer to the above is absolutely not!!  Especially if you own a Village England variety, you really do want them all.  I like a bag that is big enough to cope with all my stuff but one that is equally stylish but will stand the test of time.  Nothing too faddy or in your face but with a touch of quirkiness that compliments my personality, if that makes sense.   It can be a tricky business choosing the right bag especially a very well made one that isn’t cheap and nasty.

Village England are quite unique, their core values are ones of sustainability, striving for better in this age of consumerism and mass production.  They use the most amazing full grain natural leather, luxuriously tactile and buttery but exceedingly hard wearing.  Simple designs that are quite timeless and effortless to wear, all expertly crafted to the highest standard.  Also clever touches such as pockets on the inside and beautiful heavyweight cotton sateen lining, details like this make all the difference.

What is most important to them is not just the bags but the people behind the brand through the design to the leatherworkers who craft the final product, all manufactured in impeccably ethical surroundings by partners who share their core values.  The vision is to be able to trace every bag to the farm it came from, which is an ongoing process that I am sure will be met along with the commitment to improving the health of the UK leatherworking industry too.

Along with their wonderful ethics Village England bags are rather beautiful, yes I definitely agree that a bag can be beautiful, I have a Belthorn and it makes me smile every time I leave the house and has courted quite a few compliments whilst out and about with me too.  It’s the finer details that I love about these bags, from the subtle clasps and fastenings to the small detailed difference throughout each design.  The capsule collections work very well so you can choose a bag the suits you and the purpose it is intended for rather easily.  The colour ways of the leather are stunning too obviously my go to black has a wonderful sheen right through to sumptuous reds and vivid royal blues.

Last year saw Village England launch new categories such as a fine selection of jewellery, purses, pouches and interchangeable straps to work alongside the leather goods.  Also the introduction of a canvas tote bag that is a collaboration with the women’s charity ABC Nepal.  Each bag is made by a woman who has been a victim of trafficking and exploitation who are now vocationally trained in sewing and fabric work by the marvellous team at ABC.  All profits from the sale of each tote goes to ABC Nepal, you will also find the name of the bags maker written on a card attached to the bag.   All these things add up to making a big difference.

So next time you are thinking of investing in a new bag please do take a look at Village England, they come highly recommended by myself on so many levels.  It’s good to know a bag isn’t just a fashion accessory it is so much more.

Jx

• with thanks to Village England for gifting the Belthorn for the purpose of this post