A black genuine leather work backpack with two zipper compartments, a front zipper pocket and a top handle
The Tamsin is a women’s leather work backpack in genuine cowhide, with a pebbled grain and a soft sheen. Its upright shape suits an office, a classroom or a train platform.
Two zippered compartments sit one behind the other, and a slim zipper pocket runs across the upper front. Everything gets a place, so you stop digging for your keys.
Wear it on both shoulders with the adjustable straps, or hold it by the rounded leather handle when you walk into a meeting.
It comes in black with silver tone zipper pulls and buckles, a leather backpack for women who want one bag that goes with most outfits.
- Pebbled genuine cowhide with a soft sheen
- Two zippered main compartments
- Slim zipper pocket across the upper front
- Open slip pocket inside
- Black fabric lining with a soft sheen
- Straps that shorten or lengthen with slide buckles
- Rounded leather top handle
- Flat base with piped edges
- Small rivet detail on one side
- Size 10.2 x 13.8 x 6.3 inches
Product Details
| Product Type | Women’s leather work backpack |
|---|---|
| Material | Genuine cowhide leather |
| Finish | Pebbled grain with a soft sheen |
| Color | Black |
| Lining | Black fabric, lightly glossy |
| Main Compartments | Two, each with its own zipper |
| Front Pocket | Slim pocket with its own zipper, upper front |
| Inside Pocket | Open slip pocket on the lining |
| Straps | Leather tops, black woven webbing, silver tone slide buckles |
| Handle | Rounded leather top handle |
| Hardware | Silver tone zipper pulls and buckles, dark metal rivet |
| Base | Flat with piped edges |
| Size | 10.2 in wide, 13.8 in tall, 6.3 in deep (26 x 35 x 16 cm) |
| Best For | Work, school, commuting and short trips |
Tamsin Color and Finish Guide
The Tamsin comes in one color, black. The details below are what set it apart up close.
Black Pebbled Cowhide
A fine, even grain with a soft sheen along the curves. The deep black looks tidy in office light and keeps the front clean.
Black Lining
Both compartments are lined in black fabric with a gentle shine. A dark interior hides small marks, and pale items such as a notebook stand out against it.
Silver Tone Details
Silver tone zipper pulls and rectangular strap buckles add a few bright points to the all black body.
Black Webbing Straps
Below the leather tabs, the straps continue in black woven webbing that lies flat on a coat or a blazer.
Outfit Colors for the Black Tamsin
| Outfit Color | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Navy | A quiet pairing, since black and navy sit close in tone. |
| Cream and ivory | Light knits make the black body easy to see. |
| Taupe and stone | Soft neutrals keep the outfit calm around a dark bag. |
| Light blue denim | A casual base that makes the leather look polished. |
| Red and berry | A bright top gives the black bag clear contrast. |
| Camel | A warm coat or sweater takes the edge off all that black. |
| Emerald and teal | Jewel tones look deeper next to black leather. |
| Black and charcoal | A dark outfit with the silver tone buckles as the only shine. |
What Genuine Cowhide Means
Genuine cowhide is leather made from real cattle hide. It is not a coated fabric, and it feels different to the touch than faux leather.
The Tamsin has a pebbled grain, a pattern of small bumps pressed into the surface. It gives a textured look that varies a little from bag to bag.
Leather also changes with use. Expect gentle softening over time, and a few marks that add to its character.
Backpack, Tote or Shoulder Bag for Work?
The right work bag depends on how far you walk and what you carry. This table compares the three common choices.
| Feature | Tamsin Backpack | Tote Bag | Shoulder Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hands free | Yes | No | No |
| Where the weight sits | Across both shoulders | Hand or one shoulder | One shoulder |
| Organization | Two zippered compartments and two pockets | Often one open space | Usually one or two sections |
| Shape on the move | Upright and closed | Open top | Slim and relaxed |
Inside the Tamsin
Open either zipper and the compartment opens wide. An open slip pocket on the lining keeps small items from sliding to the bottom.
Each compartment closes on its own, so you can keep daily items apart from things you rarely touch.
A notebook, a tablet, a power bank and a small skincare tube fit together with room left over.
Where Things Go
| Space | Position | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| Main compartments | Two, one behind the other | Tablet, notebook, folder, pouch and power bank |
| Slip pocket | On the lining, inside | Cards and other small items |
| Front zipper pocket | Across the upper front | Keys, a card holder or tissues |
Straps, Handle and Back Panel
Each strap starts as a leather tab at the top of the back panel and continues as black woven webbing. A silver tone slide buckle sits where the two meet.
Pull the webbing through the buckle to lengthen or shorten a strap. Set them short for a high carry, or longer over a thick coat.
The back panel is smooth leather with a stitched band near the top. The rounded handle sits on top for carrying by hand.
Shape and Base
A flat, piped base gives the bag a stable footing. Set it down at your desk and it sits upright instead of tipping over.
The leather body is soft but keeps a neat outline, and piped seams run down the sides.
How Big Is the Tamsin?
| Measurement | Inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 10.2 | 26 |
| Height | 13.8 | 35 |
| Depth | 6.3 | 16 |
These numbers describe the outside of the bag. The depth leaves room for a notebook, a pouch and a few daily items side by side.
Sizes are measured by hand, so allow a small difference.
What Goes in the Tamsin
| Item | Fits? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 11 inch tablet | Yes | It slides in flat with room at the sides. |
| Notebook or planner | Yes | A5 and letter size both fit the width. |
| Letter size folder | Yes | At 8.5 by 11 inches it is narrower than the bag. |
| Power bank and cable | Yes | It fits next to a notebook without crowding. |
| Small skincare tube and lip gloss | Yes | Use the front pocket for quick reach. |
| Folding umbrella | Yes | It lies flat in either compartment. |
| 13 inch laptop | No | Most are wider than 10.2 inches. |
Packing Ideas
Office Day
A tablet, a notebook, a pouch of pens and a power bank in the main compartments, with keys and a card holder in the front pocket.
Class Day
A notebook, a pencil case, a charger and a snack. Keep the tablet in the second compartment so nothing presses on it.
Short Trip
A passport, a travel wallet, headphones, a power bank and a light layer, with both hands free for the airport.
More Leather Bags for Work
For another structured genuine leather shape, try the Hazel structured tote bag.
The Isla leather bucket tote bag and the Nora multi compartment crossbody bag also use cow leather with a pebbled grain.
For more rucksack styles, see women’s backpacks. Top handle styles are in the handbag collection.
Outfit Ideas
| Occasion | What to Wear |
|---|---|
| Office morning | A blazer, straight pants and loafers, with the Tamsin carried by the handle to your desk. |
| Campus | A knit top, jeans and sneakers, with the straps on both shoulders. |
| Commute | A trench coat and ankle boots, with the straps lengthened to clear the coat. |
| Weekend | A denim jacket and a long skirt, with the bag worn high on your back. |
| Dinner after work | A dark dress and heeled boots, with the bag held by the handle. |
Who Uses the Tamsin Most
Office Workers
Two zippered compartments keep a tablet, a notebook and a pouch apart, so finding anything takes seconds.
Graduate Students
Room for a tablet, a planner and a charger, in a leather finish that suits a seminar room.
Teachers
Letter size folders slide in flat, and the front pocket holds keys and a school ID.
Light Travelers
A small bag for a flight or a train day, with straps that keep your hands free at the gate.
Gift Ideas
A black leather backpack is a practical gift because it fits so many tastes. Here are a few reasons to choose it.
- A promotion present for a colleague
- A birthday gift for a student heading to college
- A farewell gift for a coworker who walks to the office
- A treat for yourself after a long job search
Giving it by a set date? Read the Shipping and Returns section first so you can plan for processing and delivery.
Keeping the Leather in Shape
- Brush dust off with a dry microfiber cloth
- Use a barely damp cloth on marks, then air dry
- Use a leather conditioner now and then to keep the surface soft
- Do not leave it on a car dashboard or near a heater
- Fill it loosely with tissue when you store it
- Dry rain off with a soft cloth right away
Shipping and Returns
Shipping is free on this bag. Processing takes 2 to 5 days, and U.S. delivery then takes 7 to 14 business days.
If you change your mind, you can return it within 30 days for your money back, as long as it is unused.
Read the full terms on the shipping and delivery page and the refunds and returns policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tamsin made of?
Yes. The body and handle are genuine cowhide with a pebbled grain, and no faux material is used for the leather parts. The lining and strap webbing are fabric.
How many compartments does it have?
Two zippered main compartments sit one behind the other. There is also a zipper pocket on the front and an open slip pocket inside.
What are the dimensions?
The Tamsin is 10.2 inches wide, 13.8 inches tall and 6.3 inches deep. That is 26 by 35 by 16 centimeters, measured by hand.
Will a laptop fit in the Tamsin?
Most laptops will not, because a 13 inch model is wider than the bag. A tablet, a notebook or a letter size folder fits.
How do I adjust the straps?
Yes. Each strap has a silver tone slide buckle, so you can shorten the straps for a high carry or lengthen them over a coat.
Can I carry it by hand?
Yes. A rounded leather handle sits on top, so you can hold the bag like a briefcase when you do not want it on your back.
What does the lining look like?
Black fabric with a soft sheen, so the inside matches the outside.
Are the zipper pulls and buckles silver?
Yes, they are silver tone. A small rivet on one side is a darker metal.
Where can I keep my keys for quick reach?
Use the slim zipper pocket across the upper front. It suits keys, a card holder or tissues.
How do I clean and care for it?
Dust it with a dry cloth and dab marks with a barely damp one. Use leather conditioner now and then, and store it away from heat.
Is the Tamsin big enough for a work day?
Yes, for a tablet, a notebook and daily items. The two zippered compartments keep them organized, and the leather looks neat in an office.
How long does shipping take, and is it free?
Shipping is free. Allow 2 to 5 days for processing, then 7 to 14 business days for delivery in the U.S.
What if I change my mind?
You have 30 days under our money back guarantee. The bag must be unused.
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