Linjer Sling Bag Review & What Fits Inside

Since giving my wardrobe a bit of a shake up, my current spring closet is replete with classic pieces in monochromatic hues, and plenty of denim. And my outfits have been just as simple, or I guess as I prefer to say – effortless – so the focus has been on choosing accessories that will stand out and enhance my outfit.

Wearing Everlane v-neck cashmere sweater (luxe option here); ASOS denim skirt (similar here), ATP Atelier sandals, c/o Linjer Sling Bag ; Stone and Strand hoop earrings, Mejuri necklace; Linjer petite watch

And now having made the shift towards freelance, I’ve found myself gravitating away from my everyday tote bag to something more compact for day-to-day; Linjer’s Sling Bag. I’ve been putting this to the test over the last couple of weeks, and I wanted to share my thoughts on the style plus give a short overview of what fits inside.

About Linjer

Before I jump into the design elements of Linjer’s Sling Bag, I wanted to give a little bit of background on the brand. At their very core, Linjer aims to produce timeless premium quality leather goods, without the designer price point. Their mission has roots in the slow fashion movement, as co-founders Jenn and Roman aspire to create products that are made to last in designs that won’t date. And that’s certainly been true of my Soft Tote, which I added to my wardrobe around 18 months ago now; it is still a firm staple and one which goes with so many of my outfits.

The Sling Bag

The Sling Bag is the latest offering from Linjer; a teardrop-shaped cross body bag in a milled Italian leather. For me, it’s all in the details. And, you can see that there’s been quite a lot of thought and consideration given to the design. Despite the fact that it’s a smaller-sized handbag, it has two interior pockets – perfect if you like to compartmentalise your belongings for easy access.

Again, there’s minimal branding; if you know, then you know. The only indication that it’s from Linjer is a little leather patch which is stitched onto one of the interior pockets. While I can appreciate a little it of logo-mania, I tend to prefer something much more subdued, and it’s the lack of exterior branding that is one of the major draw cards of the brand for me.

I opted for the Sling Bag in ‘chestnut’, which is a warm brown with a red undertone to it. Just as with my Soft Tote, the leather has been vegetable tanned, a process which takes up to 30 days to develop and uses organic materials (a win for the environment). And, similarly, it has the same cotton twill lining, which makes the design feel a little more luxurious. The major difference – aside from the obvious; design – is that the Sling Bag is equipped with a zipper. I’ll admit, this isn’t a major consideration for me when it comes to picking a bag for day-to-day; I’ve never been subject to sticky fingers, however I do appreciate that for many it’s an added measure of security which helps to keep pick pockets at bay, and stop your belongings from falling out.

What Fits Inside?

As mentioned, my day-to-day needs for when I’m out and about have changed quite a bit since going freelance. I’ll often eat lunch at home made fresh and given I don’t have a daily commute on public transport, I’m no longer toting my latest read around with me everywhere.

Below is a little list of what I tend to fit inside, with space leftover to fit in a passport, and some additional makeup items like a compact, concealer, or some extra lipsticks.

• Charlotte Olympia card holder
• Charlotte Olympia zippy card holder
• Louis Vuitton 6-Key Holder
• Packet of Mints
• iPhone 8 Plus
• Canon G7 X Mark II
• Clarins Joli Rouge Lipstick (in the shade Nude Brick)
• Glossier Balm Dot Com
• Elleme Sunglasses

I’ve done a little bit of a demo in my latest YouTube video, which you can check out here if you’re curious.

Final Thoughts

I’d been after a smaller-sized bag that had a slightly more relaxed and casual vibe, and this has fit the bill perfectly. I’ve been really pleased with the quality – it’s what I’ve come to expect from Linjer – and despite not babying it one iota, it’s held up well and is yet to get any scratches (though I find these can generally be buffed out using the oils from your fingers). The adjustable strap has enough notches that it works for those who are on the petite end of the spectrum and those that are taller, and I think the zip-up closure is a nice touch; it makes the bag feel more high end than if it were an open pocket.

Because the leather is soft, I think you are at risk of misshaping the bag if you overstuff it or put any particularly bulky items inside. And, as the cotton interior is a light creamy colour, it is prone to getting marked up.

Overall, I’ve been loving using the bag, and especially pairing it with cream-coloured blouses and mid-blue wash denim for my best impression of #Chloegirls. A good cross body is great as they give you the option to go hands free, and I equally like how switching the strap to your shoulder makes a bag like this look a little more elegant and refined. To me, the chestnut leather has more of a relaxed feel to it, whereas the black definitely seems like it would be an appropriate choice for a night out (if you so chose).