A black genuine leather backpack purse you can wear on your back or carry by the handle
The Calla is a genuine leather backpack purse for women, made from real cowhide with a soft pebbled grain. From the front it reads as a handbag.
Slip both arms through the straps when you need your hands free. Lift it by the rounded top handle when you want a closer, neater carry.
Inside, a burgundy fabric lining and a zippered pocket keep small items easy to find. A second zipper pocket on the back gives quick access to a phone or pass.
It works as a black leather backpack for work and travel, and it still looks right with jeans on a day off.
- Genuine cowhide leather with a pebbled grain
- Wear it as a backpack or carry it by the top handle
- Adjustable shoulder straps with silver pin buckles
- Wide zipper top opening and a burgundy fabric lining
- Zippered pocket and open pockets inside
- Full width zipper pocket on the back panel
- Flat base so the bag sits upright
- Front snap flap with a black metal button
- Soft leather body that drapes comfortably on your back
- Compact size at 11.8 x 13.8 x 5.1 inches
Product Details
| Product Type | Women’s leather backpack purse |
|---|---|
| Material | Genuine cowhide leather |
| Finish | Pebbled grain, matte |
| Color | Black |
| Lining | Burgundy fabric with a herringbone weave |
| Opening | Top zipper around the full opening |
| Front Detail | Small snap flap with a black metal button |
| Outside Pocket | Full width zipper pocket on the back panel |
| Inside Pockets | One zippered pocket and open pockets |
| Carry Options | Backpack straps or rounded top handle |
| Straps | Adjustable, silver pin buckles |
| Hardware | Silver tone zippers, buckles and lower rings, black snap and top rings |
| Base | Flat |
| Size | 11.8 in wide, 13.8 in tall, 5.1 in deep (30 x 35 x 13 cm) |
| Weight | About 2.2 lb (0.98 kg) |
| Best For | Work, commuting, travel and errands |
Black Leather Backpack Purse Color Guide
The Calla comes in black, with a few small color touches you notice up close.
Black Pebbled Leather
A deep, even black with a fine grain that catches soft light. The texture hides light scuffs better than smooth leather and keeps the front from looking flat.
Burgundy Lining
Open the zipper and the lining is a dark burgundy. Phones, keys and cards stand out against it, so you spend less time feeling around.
Silver Tone Details
The zipper pulls, strap buckles and lower rings are silver tone. They add a small bright accent to the black body.
Black Metal Details
The front flap closes with a black metal snap, and two black rings sit at the top corners. Both blend into the leather and keep the front clean.
What Colors Go With a Black Leather Backpack
| Outfit Color | How It Looks With the Calla |
|---|---|
| White and cream | Strong contrast. The black leather stands out against light knits and shirts. |
| Camel and tan | A warm coat or pair of pants softens the black without clashing. |
| Denim blue | Black sits comfortably with both light and dark washes. |
| Gray and charcoal | A tonal look, with the pebbled grain adding texture to flat gray fabric. |
| Burgundy and plum | Echoes the lining you see when the bag is open. |
| Olive and forest green | Dark greens suit black leather in fall and winter. |
| Pink and pastels | Black grounds soft shades so the outfit stays balanced. |
| All black | Matte leather and smoother fabrics layer into a sleek outfit. |
About the Genuine Cowhide Leather
Genuine cowhide is real animal hide, and it behaves differently from faux or PU material. It softens with use and takes on a lived in look.
The pebbled grain is pressed into the surface. It gives the Calla a matte, lightly textured finish that hides small marks well.
Because it is natural hide, grain and shade vary a little from bag to bag. That is how real leather looks.
Genuine Cowhide Compared With PU Leather
| Feature | Genuine Cowhide (the Calla) | PU Leather |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Real animal hide | A plastic coating on a fabric base |
| Surface | Natural grain that varies slightly | A uniform pressed texture |
| With use | Softens and builds character | Keeps one look until the coating wears |
| Care | Can be conditioned | Wipe clean only |
Two Ways to Carry the Calla
You can switch between the two in a few seconds.
Backpack Mode
Put both straps over your shoulders and adjust the buckles. The load sits against your back, so your hands stay free for a phone, a coffee or a train pass.
Top Handle Mode
Hold the rounded leather handle and carry the bag at your side or in the crook of your arm. It suits an office, a restaurant or a short walk from the car.
Adjusting the Straps
The buckles let you shorten the straps for a high, snug fit or lengthen them to clear a thick coat.
Backpack Purse or Regular Backpack?
A backpack purse sits between a handbag and a full backpack. This table shows where each one works best.
| Feature | Calla Backpack Purse | Regular Backpack | Handbag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hands free | Yes, on both shoulders | Yes | No |
| Dressed up look | Black leather suits a desk or a dinner | Often sporty or casual | Yes |
| Space | Daily essentials and a tablet | Laptop, books and gear | Daily essentials |
| Weight | Spread over both shoulders | Spread over both shoulders | On one shoulder or in one hand |
| Carry options | Straps or top handle | Usually straps only | Handle, strap or both |
Inside the Bag
The zipper runs around the full top opening, so the bag opens wide and you can see everything at once.
The main space is lined in burgundy. A zippered pocket sits against one wall, with open pockets beside it for smaller items.
That is enough room for a phone, a wallet, a small pouch and a notebook or tablet.
Pocket Guide
| Where | What It Holds | |
|---|---|---|
| Zippered pocket | Inside the main compartment | Cards, cash and keys |
| Open pockets | Inside the main compartment | Phone, sunglasses and lip balm |
| Back zipper pocket | Outside, on the back panel | Phone, transit card and earbuds |
The Back Panel and Straps
A zipper pocket runs across most of the back panel. A phone slides straight in, and the pocket sits against your back when you wear the bag.
That makes it a handy spot for things you reach for often but would rather not leave in a side pocket.
The shoulder straps pair leather at the top with black woven webbing below. Silver pin buckles let you set the length.
Flat Base and Soft Body
The base is flat, so the bag stands upright on a desk, a chair or a floor.
The leather body is soft and moves with you. It sits comfortably against a jacket or coat instead of poking out.
Size and Measurements
The Calla is a compact leather backpack purse, sized for daily essentials rather than a heavy load.
| Measurement | Inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 11.8 | 30 |
| Height | 13.8 | 35 |
| Depth | 5.1 | 13 |
| Weight | About 2.2 lb | About 0.98 kg |
The size photo shows a tablet held against the front for scale. Most laptops are too wide for this bag.
Worn as a backpack, it sits from the shoulder blades to roughly the waist.
Measurements are taken by hand, so allow a difference of up to about an inch.
What Fits in the Calla
At 11.8 by 13.8 by 5.1 inches, the Calla suits a slim, well chosen load. This is what fits.
| Item | Fits? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Phone and wallet | Yes | The phone slides into the back zipper pocket. |
| Keys and a sunglasses case | Yes | The open pockets inside keep them from sinking to the bottom. |
| Tablet up to about 11 inches | Yes | Shown against the front in the size photo. |
| A5 notebook or planner | Yes | About 5.8 by 8.3 inches, well within the width. |
| Folding umbrella | Yes | Most compact umbrellas are under 12 inches long. |
| Light scarf | Yes | Folds small beside the pockets. |
| 13 inch laptop | No | Most are about 12 inches wide, which is wider than this bag. |
Packing Ideas
Workday
Phone, wallet, keys, a tablet, lipstick and a transit card. The top handle gets you through meetings and the straps get you home.
Travel Day
Passport, charger, sunglasses and a light scarf. Keep the passport in the inside zippered pocket and your phone in the back one.
Weekend Errands
Phone, keys, a folded reusable tote and a small cosmetics pouch. Everything stays within reach with both hands free.
More Genuine Leather Bags
For a similar pebbled cowhide finish in other shapes, see the Thea leather shoulder tote bag or the Vera triple zip leather shoulder bag.
If you want a backpack for rainy days, the Black waterproof quilted backpack is another option.
You can also browse all women’s backpacks or the full handbag collection.
Outfit Ideas
| Occasion | How to Wear It |
|---|---|
| Office day | Pants and a blazer, with the bag carried by the top handle. |
| Commute | A long coat and boots, with the straps on and both hands free. |
| Weekend | Jeans and a chunky sweater, worn as a backpack. |
| Travel day | Leggings, a hoodie and sneakers, with your phone in the back pocket. |
| Dinner out | A midi dress and ankle boots, with the straps tucked and the handle in hand. |
Who Will Enjoy the Calla
Commuters
Quick access to the back pocket and a neat top handle for stepping off the train make the daily trip easier.
Travelers
One bag for a day of sightseeing, with a wide opening for packing and a zipper pocket for tickets.
Students
Room for a tablet, a notebook and a small pouch, in a leather finish that does not look like a school bag.
Everyday Carriers
A plain black bag that moves from coffee runs to grocery trips without needing a change.
Gift Ideas
A black leather backpack purse suits a lot of people on a gift list. Here are a few occasions where it works well.
- A birthday gift for a friend who commutes
- A graduation or first job gift
- A holiday gift for a sister or daughter who travels
- A treat for yourself after your old bag gave out
Ordering for a set date? Check the delivery times in the Shipping and Returns section and order early.
Caring for Your Leather Backpack Purse
- Wipe away dust with a soft dry cloth
- Treat marks with a barely damp cloth and air dry
- Apply a leather conditioner a few times a year
- Keep it away from heat and direct sun
- Stuff it lightly with paper or a scarf when stored
- Blot rain off quickly and let it dry naturally
Shipping and Returns
Shipping is free. Orders go through 2 to 5 days of processing, then U.S. delivery takes 7 to 14 business days.
If you change your mind, you have 30 days to ask for your money back, and the bag must be unused.
Full details are on our shipping and delivery page and our refunds and returns policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Calla backpack purse made from real leather?
Yes. The Calla is made from genuine cowhide leather with a pebbled grain. It is not faux, vegan or PU leather.
Can I carry it as a handbag as well as a backpack?
Yes. Wear it on both shoulders as a backpack, or lift it by the rounded top handle to carry it like a handbag.
What size is the Calla, and what fits inside?
It measures 11.8 inches wide, 13.8 inches tall and 5.1 inches deep, and weighs about 2.2 pounds. A tablet or notebook fits, but most laptops are too wide.
What color is the lining?
A dark burgundy fabric lining with a herringbone weave covers the main compartment and the inside pockets.
Is there a pocket for my phone on the back?
Yes. A zipper pocket runs across the back panel and holds a phone, a transit card or earbuds. It sits against your back when you wear the bag.
Are the shoulder straps adjustable?
Yes. Silver pin buckles let you lengthen the straps for a loose fit over a coat or shorten them for a snug carry.
What color is the hardware?
Silver tone covers the zippers, buckles and lower rings. The front snap and the two rings at the top corners are black.
Is the leather soft or stiff?
The leather is soft and supple, so the bag drapes comfortably against your back. The flat base helps it stand upright when you set it down.
How do I care for a genuine leather backpack purse?
Wipe it with a soft dry cloth and spot clean with a barely damp one. Condition the leather a few times a year and keep it away from heat and direct sun.
Is it a good bag for work and commuting?
Yes. The black pebbled leather suits office clothes, the top handle works indoors, and the back pocket keeps a phone or pass close at hand.
What does a black leather backpack purse go with?
Black goes with denim, gray, camel, white and green. The color guide above lists more pairings.
Is shipping free, and how long does delivery take?
Yes, shipping is free. Allow 2 to 5 days for processing, then 7 to 14 business days for U.S. delivery.
What is your return policy?
You have a 30 day money back guarantee. A bag returned because you changed your mind must be unused.
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