Don’t underestimate the bare looks of this saddle bag. Its streamlined simplicity is most deceiving. I have a Ralph Lauren Collection saddle bag and while I love it, this updated, improved version includes all the details mine lacks, keeping it from reaching perfection. Those details include extra pockets: one on the interior and a second snap pocket along the back.
But it’s really the extra hardware that makes this classic off-the-range bag feel so special. The belt-style buckles on each side impart it with a look that’s more refined equestrian and less cowboy. The same goes for the sleek shoulder plate that tops the strap. Such seemingly minor yet highly punctuating details add up to a vibe that blends horseback riding and haute couture, so to speak. Ultimately, the mood is polished and refined yet totally easy. It goes to show it’s the little things that take a purely casual bag into more elevated terrain. Ralph Lauren Collection bag at Saks Fifth Avenue for $1,250.
Pair with: An investment blazer to last a lifetime, like Saint Laurent’s double-breasted brushed-wool jacket, will blend seamlessly with such a timeless saddle bag. On NET-A-PORTER for $3,850.
