I’ve seen Western styled purses made of hand-tooled leather, but they looked a little too country for my taste. Recently, I came across equestrian influenced accessories from USA designer Rebecca Ray. I love these horse-themed American Couture equestrian bags and totes.
Rebecca Ray sporting lifestyle handbags & totes
Founded in 1998, Rebecca Ray is one of the fastest growing handbag companies in the United States.
I love that these bags are sewn by women artisans on treadle sewing machines that don’t require any electricity. As an equestrian, I appreciate that the leather work is bench-made by an Amish harness maker who is dedicated to his craft. I imagine harness making is a dying breed, along with the local blacksmith. Seriously, these are trades that are falling by the wayside with the automation of everything from furniture making to mass-produced tack. Hat tip to Rebecca Ray Designs for partnering with these craftsmen and women with these handmade bags and totes.
As a horse lover, The Julie is now my favorite handbag.
Equestrian quality hardware
While my fashion conscious friends swooned over my couture bag, The Julie Horse, I noted the equestrian quality hardware of the buckles, the fine quality straps, the industrial-weight nickel zipper and harness leather handles on this purse. The fabric on The Julie bag is made of luggage-weight ballistic nylon for durability that will last as long as your favorite riding saddle.
The Julie Horse
The interior of the handbag is made of cotton floral lining with an interior pocket to hold your cell phone, clutch or readily accessible items. The Julie Horse dimensions measure: 14″ x 20″ x 5″
The Julie, with its horse head silhouette on the front of the bag, comes in four unique color combinations. The matching clutch is sold separately.
The Maryann tote
The Maryann Horse tote works for the equestrian or the well-heeled traveler. This popular tote is made of cotton duck canvas. The Maryann is modeled after a grain sack bag with the wording Fancy Blue Ribbon Race Horse Oats on the exterior of the tote.
The Maryann comes in five colors and may be carried by its leather trimmed handles or worn across the body.
The hardware on this tote is equestrian-grade nickle. The inside of the tote is lined with a cotton floral pattern, has an interior pocket and zipper on top.
I use The Maryann tote as my pool bag or an overnight bag for weekend trips. This tote is also large enough to hold my laptop and other items. I’m sure it could hold several bridles if you keep your tack clean!
The Maryann Horse dimensions measure 17″ x 20″ x 6.5″
Rebecca Ray Designs on social media
To keep up on all things Rebecca Ray designed, follow Rebecca Ray on Twitter @RebeccaRayDsn and follow Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter, too.
Where to buy Rebecca Ray Designs
The Julie handbag retails for $275 and The Maryann tote retails for $225. Check the website for additional products rebeccaraydesign.com
Rebecca Ray supplied me with The Maryann tote and The Julie purse for review.
Review and photos courtesy of Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California.
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