Bucket Bag, Saddle Bag, Tote or Messenger? A Plain-English Guide to Bag Shapes
A bucket bag is a soft, deep bag with a drawstring top. A saddle bag is rounded with a front flap. A tote is a two-handled bag for carrying a lot. A messenger is a leather bag on a long crossbody strap. Those four cover most of what you will see in the shops, but there are a few more worth knowing, and each one maps to a named Pom Pom London style. Here is the plain-English guide.
The shapes at a glance
| Shape | How to spot it | Best for | Our style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crossbody | Zipped, worn on a long strap across the body | Everyday, hands-free | Original, City |
| Bucket bag | Deep and soft, drawstring top | Odd shapes, a relaxed look | Lambeth |
| Saddle bag | Rounded, front fold-over flap | A classic, dressier crossbody | Wilmington |
| Tote | Two top handles, open or zipped | Work, shopping, a day out | Greenwich, Camden, Pelham, Lulworth, Padstow |
| Messenger | Long crossbody strap, sits flat against the body | Commuting, days out | Westminster, Portman |
| Cargo bag | External front pockets, wide strap | Organised everyday carry | Chiswick |
| Shoulder bag | Short strap, worn under the arm | Evenings and smarter days | Edgware |
| Sling | Soft, worn across the chest or shoulder | Weekends, travel | Sutton |
| Bum bag | Belted, worn at waist, hip or chest | Festivals, airports, walking | Bum Bag |
Crossbody
The crossbody is the shape most of us live in. A zipped bag on a long strap that goes over one shoulder and across the body, leaving both hands free. Ours are the Original (20 x 16 x 8cm, three compartments) and the City (23 x 16.5 x 7cm, two external zip compartments), each in Mini and Plus sizes. If pockets are what you are after, see crossbody bags with pockets.
Bucket bag
Deep, soft and gathered at the top with a drawstring. A bucket bag takes awkward shapes, a water bottle or a folded cardigan, and looks relaxed rather than structured. The trade-off is that it does not zip shut, so it is a daytime bag rather than a crowded-train bag. Our bucket is the Lambeth (23 x 22 x 14cm, strap to 125cm), also in a Plus size. See the Lambeth bucket bags.
Saddle bag
Named for its shape, a saddle bag is rounded at the bottom with a flap that folds over the front. It has a dressier, more classic look than a plain crossbody. The Wilmington is our saddle bag: 25 x 19 x 10cm, with a front fold magnetic closure, a top handle for carrying by hand and a back zip pocket for the things you want to reach quickly. It is £139.95. Browse saddle bags.
Tote
A tote is the big, two-handled bag for the days you need to carry a lot: a laptop, a lunch, the shopping. Some are open at the top; the better ones zip. The Greenwich (29 x 23 x 15cm) has a full-length zip, top handles and a detachable strap, so it works on the shoulder or across the body. The Camden, Camden Plus, Pelham, Lulworth and Padstow are our other totes, each a slightly different take on the shape. See the tote collection.
Messenger bag
A messenger is a bag on a long crossbody strap, originally made for carrying post and now mostly used for commuting. The Westminster and the Portman are ours: leather messenger bags with a crossbody strap, handcrafted in 100% full-grain leather. Find them in the messenger bags collection.
Cargo bag
A cargo bag is a crossbody with external pockets on the front, so the things you reach for most (phone, keys, travel card) have their own place. The Chiswick is ours: 22 x 14.5 x 7cm, with two front pockets and a 4cm-wide strap that adjusts to 130cm. The wide strap makes it comfortable to wear for a full day.
Shoulder bag
A shoulder bag has a shorter strap and sits under the arm rather than across the body. It is the smarter, more traditional shape, and the one to reach for in the evening. The Edgware is our shoulder bag. See women's shoulder bags.
Sling and bum bag
A sling is a soft, rounded bag worn across the chest or on the shoulder; the Sutton (31 x 18 to 20 x 10cm) is ours, at £99.95. A bum bag (belt bag or fanny pack in the US) is worn at the waist, hip or across the chest on an adjustable belt. The Bum Bag is 33 x 12 x 11cm with a nylon adjustable strap, at £84.95. See the bum bags.
Every shape above is handcrafted in 100% full-grain leather, lined with an easy-clean interior, and comes with two free straps and a keyring, together worth £63 in the UK and $77 in the US. All of our bags are covered by a 365-day warranty with 30-day returns, so you can change your mind about the shape as well as the colour.
