The Ludlow — Black Leather Crossbody Bag

The Ludlow is our everyday crossbody: a structured rectangle with a full front flap that closes on a solid brass push-lock, worn on a long adjustable strap.

Black is the colour that goes to every room without asking. This one is a matte, aniline-dyed hide, so it reads as deep ink rather than plastic shine, and a scuff buffs back with a thumb instead of showing a pale line.

It is 9.5″ (24 cm) wide, 7″ (18 cm) tall and 2.75″ (7 cm) deep, and the strap adjusts up to a 23.5″ (60 cm) drop. That takes a phone, card wallet, keys, sunglasses and a lipstick, and the flap covers the whole opening.

Inside there is one zip pocket and one open phone pocket, plus a slip pocket on the back wall outside. It comes with an adjustable 1″ (2.5 cm) leather crossbody strap on solid brass swivel clips, up to a 23.5″ (60 cm) drop.

Choose the Ludlow if you want one hands-free bag that looks smart enough for work and dinner. If you prefer texture, the same shape comes with a hand woven flap. Or browse all our women's leather crossbody bags.

The leather

The hide is full-grain, which means the top surface is left on, grain, small scars and all, instead of being sanded and printed. It is the strongest layer of the skin and the only one that ages well.

How it is made

Load-bearing seams are saddle stitched by hand, two needles through each hole, so a cut thread does not run. Edges are sanded and burnished rather than painted, and the hardware is solid brass, unplated.

Care

Wipe it with a dry cloth, keep it out of long direct sun, and give it a neutral leather conditioner a couple of times a year.