What Is a Saddle Bag Purse? Shape, History, Types and How to Wear One

By The Bag n Fable workshop·Updated October 29, 2026·8 min read

A saddle bag purse is a small crossbody bag with a rounded, horseshoe- or half-moon-shaped body and a curved flap that covers the front, usually closed with a buckle, turn-lock or snap, and worn on a long adjustable strap. The shape comes from the saddlebags riders have hung from horses for centuries. It’s a hands-free, essentials-only bag: most are 8 to 10 inches wide and carry a phone, a card wallet, keys and sunglasses. It differs from an ordinary crossbody in its curved shape and flap, and from a satchel in its size, its single strap and its lack of a top handle.

Below: the anatomy of a saddle bag, a short history, the main types, how it compares with crossbody bags, satchels and messenger bags, what fits, how to wear and style one, what to look for, and our own leather saddle bag.

Disclosure: We make a leather saddle bag, and we name it where it fits, with real dimensions and prices (as listed in October 2026). We haven’t tested other brands’ saddle bags, so we describe the style rather than rank them.

The anatomy of a saddle bag purse

A short history of the saddle bag

Riders have carried bags slung over or fastened to a saddle for as long as people have ridden horses: leather pouches hung in pairs on either side of the horse, shaped to sit against its flanks without rubbing. Their rounded bottoms, flaps and buckles were practical, built to stay closed at a gallop and shed rain.

Fashion borrowed the shape in the 20th century. Equestrian-inspired leather bags with curved flaps and buckles were popular in the 1970s, and in 1999 the designer John Galliano’s Saddle bag for Dior made “saddle bag” a fashion term in its own right. The shape returned in force in the late 2010s, and today it’s one of the standard small-bag silhouettes, alongside the crossbody, the mini bag and the belt bag.

The word “saddlebag” (one word) still also means the bags on horses, bicycles and motorcycles, which is why searches for “saddle bag purse” are common.

Types of saddle bag purses

Saddle bag vs crossbody vs satchel vs messenger

Every saddle bag is a crossbody bag, but not every crossbody bag is a saddle bag: the curved shape and flap are what make it a saddle. A satchel is bigger, more structured, has a top handle and usually a straight flap. A messenger bag is a wider, work-sized cousin.

Pros and cons of a saddle bag purse

Pros

• Hands-free, worn across the body.
• The flap and closure make it more secure than an open bag.
• Slim against the body, so it works under a jacket or in crowds.
• Ages well in leather; the curved flap shows off a patina.
• Goes with casual and smart-casual clothes.

Cons

• Small: essentials only.
• One main compartment, so small items can mix.
• Flaps are slower to open than a zip top.
• The curved shape uses space less efficiently than a rectangle.

What fits in a saddle bag purse

Measure your phone (most large phones are about 6.4 × 3.1 inches) and check the inside height under the flap.

How to wear a saddle bag purse

Crossbody

The main way. Adjust the strap so the bag sits at or just above the hip bone, at the front or side. On most people that’s a drop of about 20 to 24 inches.

On the shoulder

Shorten the strap so the bag sits under the arm. This looks more polished, and suits the larger saddle bags.

At the waist

Some saddle bags have strap loops that let them be worn on a belt.

How to style a saddle bag

A few tips:

• Wear it over a coat in winter, so it doesn’t make the coat bunch underneath.
• Let the flap show. A saddle bag’s curve is its feature; don’t hide it under a jacket.
• Brown suits it. The saddle bag’s roots are in tack rooms; tan, cognac and chocolate leathers look most natural.
• Match the hardware to your jewellery if you can: brass with gold, steel with silver.

For more on colour, see what colour purse goes with what.

What to look for in a leather saddle bag

• Full-grain leather that holds the curve without sagging. See the best leather for bags.
• A closure you’ll actually use. Turn-locks and push-locks are quick and secure; working buckles look great but are slower (many hide a magnetic snap underneath).
• Stitching around the curve. Even and tight; the curved seam is the hardest to sew.
• Finished edges. Burnished or folded, not thick rubbery paint.
• An adjustable strap long enough for crossbody wear at your height, attached with stitched and reinforced tabs.
• An inside pocket for cards and keys.
• Solid hardware: solid brass or steel doesn’t flake.
• Light weight: around 1 lb is comfortable for all-day wear.

How much should a saddle bag cost?

Caring for a leather saddle bag

• Wipe weekly and condition two or three times a year. See how to clean a leather bag.
• Don’t overstuff it. A bulging flap stretches and won’t close cleanly.
• Store it flat or upright, stuffed lightly, with the flap closed, in a dust bag.
• Watch the strap tabs on a much-used bag; they carry all the weight.
• Let it patina. Curved flaps in tan and cognac darken beautifully. See what is leather patina?.

Our saddle bag: the Ripley

The Ripley is our leather saddle bag.

• Size: 8.75 × 7.5 × 2.75 in.
• Strap: adjustable, up to a 22.75 in drop for crossbody wear.
• Closure: curved half-moon flap with a solid brass turn-lock.
• Inside: an open phone pocket and a small zip card pocket; stitched-in cotton twill lining.
• Weight: about 1 lb.
• Fits: phone, card wallet, keys, sunglasses; not a tablet.
• Leather: full grain, cut and stitched by hand in our own workshop.
• Colours: olive, oxblood, tan, chocolate, cognac and black.
• Price: $165.

See the Ripley in cognac, tan or black.

Best for hands-free days, travel and anyone who wants a secure small bag. Not for carrying more than essentials.

It’s made to order and ships in 3 to 5 working days, with 30-day returns. Stitching is covered for life and hardware for five years. Initials can be pressed in gold, silver or blind.

Similar bags if you want more (or less)

Browse the full range of leather saddle bags, women’s crossbody bags and leather handbags. For more hands-free bags, see the best leather crossbody bags for women.

Browse more guides in the Leather Guide.

Frequently asked questions