Category: Bags

We’re big fans of Karhu Originals – because unlike some companies (*cough* Puma), they just pull out their best designs straight from the archives, reproducing them in the factories they made "back in the day".

And that includes this Karhu Originals shoe bag. It was originally a golf shoe bag from the 1980s, but is now back with a range of suggested uses by the company – including a laptop bag (enough space for a 12-inch Mac apparently).

The bag’s got an adjustable strap and is sized at 25 x 32 x 12cm. it retails for 49 Euros online.

Find out more at the Finnish Design Shop

I’m a big fan of the classic 1970s sitcom Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads, but watching the DVD recently, something interesting caught my eye.

Look at the picture above and you’ll see a particularly eye-catching sports bag. It’s a Puma Roma bag in black with white lettering. This episode dates from 1973, so I’m guessing the bag was in production around that time – but I don’t know anything else.

Does anyone out there know if this bag has been reproduced since then? Or indeed, if it was widely available at the time? All advice gratefully received as I’m very keen to pick one up. It’s a shame Puma don’t bring out some genuinely classic items as opposed to the rather disappointing Puma French 77 range.

There’s plenty of hype around Puma’s retro Puma French 77 range – a range of clothing and accessories inspired by 1977 and in particular, 70s tennis legend Guillermo Vilas. But browsing the selection, much of it just looks like any old sportswear range around right now. But there are a few nice items lurking there – including this Puma French 77 Grip Bag.

In Lacoste green (though they would never admit to that), it’s got a two-way zip opening into the main compartment, a moisture-resistant lining, grip handles, metal studs on the bottom and Puma "Heritage" zip pulls.

It should cost around £50.

Find out more at the Puma French 77 website

Another bag plundered from a company archive, this time the Adidas Airline Vintage bag.

It’s based on an original from the late 70s in a brown colour scheme, with an adjustable shoulder strap, a padded area for your vulnerable items and various pockets for the rest.

You can pick one up online for around £35.

Find out more at the Schuh website

Laura Ashley has launched a Vintage Collection, digging into their 60s and 70s archive for both material and patterns. Above are two examples of the bags in the collection, slightly modern-looking in design, but made from fabrics of the past.

The cargo bag (left) features a vintage daisy print made from 100% organic cotton, zip top, braided handles and adjustable detachable shoulder strap. 100% organic cotton. The cotton bow bag is again made from organic cotton and using a vintage vine print. It also features a "grown on" strap with long fabric tie, bow magnetic clasp and an interior with zip pocket.

Both retail for £30.

Find out more at the Laura Ashley website