A Luxury Duffle for an Everyday Weekend: Duffle Bag Willow by Buckle & Seam
After being impressed by the handmade quality of Buckle & Seam’s Ralph portfolio and its quirky customization, we had the opportunity to check out the Duffle Bag Willow from the European bag makers. With enough space for an extended weekend vacation, the Duffle Bag Willow shines with quality and craftsmanship.
Available in all leather or canvas and leather varieties, there is definitely a Duffel Bag Willow to fit your personal style. The navy waxed canvas looks sharp and timeless with its vegetable tanned cow leather frame and handles. The waxed canvas also cuts down on weight, which can be appreciated when lugging around the Willow via the included detachable shoulder strap. Regardless of which bag you choose, the leather is top quality, extra thick, and ethically sourced from Pakistan. The cow hide leather is paired with all brass hardware for this winning combination.
Buckle & Seam had more than looks in mind when they created the Duffle Bag Willow. They included a wide, open design to make packing and unpacking extra easy. The YKK metal zipper extends about two thirds of the way down each end, allowing it to be opened up for full access. This makes moving stacks of your chosen accoutrements in and out of the bag a breeze, and is a feature that should really be on more duffle bags.
Opening the bag wide is also the best time to appreciate the wonderful interior lining on the Duffle Bag Willow. Depending on the bag, there are multiple fabric options with which to line your Willow. From simple solids to quirky patterns, it’s a nice touch to make the Willow your own. And if you want to take it to the next level, Buckle & Seam offers monogram services to further personalize the bag. Given that the Willow will be around for a while, it’s not a bad option.
The interior of the Willow has a few more leather accents in the way of pen and business card holders alongside a leather phone pocket. These touches are tiny, and don’t detract from the generous size of the Willow’s interior, but they may be handy depending on your use case. Personally, I like to just open that zipper all the way up, admire my striped lining, and throw in my weekend wardrobe with no regard for pockets or pens.
Whether bursting at the seams (guilty as charged) or with room to spare, the Willow is comfortable to carry. The leather straps keep their form and feel great, while the canvas shoulder strap features a generous shoulder pad to ease the load. The reinforced bottom maintains the bag’s form without being bulky, and six brass feet across the bottom keep the leather and canvas off the floor.
The Duffle Bag Willow from Buckle & Seam is an amazingly sharp and functional weekender for anyone on the go. Its lightweight, top grade materials, and wide open design will have you reaching for it every weekend, and its quirky personalization options are the icing on this weekender cake.
For more information, visit: www.buckleandseam.com
Story by Thomas Bender