The origin of the letter carrier's bag
The figure of the letter carrier is engraved in our collective memory. We all have in mind the image of the messenger, wearing his blue cap, criss-crossing the roads of France, laden with that heavy, supple leather bag that had carried so much mail. How many have waited, watched and hoped for this passage! Words of love, important news... The letter carrier was a real “human link maker”, and his patinated leather satchel holds a very special place in our common heritage.
Bleu de Chauffe's reinvention
We've always been very attached to the highly affective symbol of the letter carrier's bag, and it was very important to us to design a model that would live up to its history. The Éclair postal bag is the very first creation of our leather goods house. In 2010, we chose to reinterpret the 1940s model. The Éclair mailbag has become an iconic Bleu de Chauffe, appealing to women and men alike.
Reinventing also means honoring the genius of the original designers. Historic models impress with the way every detail is designed for use, and this is very true of the letter carrier's bag, which is the trade bag par excellence. No stylistic aspect is gratuitous, quite the contrary: every detail combines aesthetics and practicality. The definition of design, in short. That's what fascinates us about craft bags.
As for vegetable-tanned leather, this was the norm at a time when chrome tanning didn't exist (fortunately!), and it's important to us to respect this tradition.
We named our model “Éclair” to underline its taste for movement and liveliness, and of course we've adapted it for today's travels.
The character of the Bleu de Chauffe Éclair post bag
It's the authenticity of its “trade bag” spirit that strikes at first glance, awakening an indefinable emotion. Then its seriousness and the quality of its many functional aspects win over the customer.
Nomadic and all-terrain by nature, the Éclair messenger bag can be carried in several ways: by hand with its solid leather handle, on the shoulder, or over the shoulder. The shoulder strap is removable and starts at the back, preserving the satchel look at the front.
The rear carry handle, characteristic of the “letter carrier's carry”, is especially practical for quicker access to the inside of the bag, especially when cycling. American messenger bags are strongly inspired by this design.
At Bleu de Chauffe, workwear allure rhymes with comfort: the shoulder strap is lined with felt, as was the case in old-fashioned trade bags, because only this material could ensure both comfort and resistance.
The bag's interior is protected by a wide flap. This flap, fitted with two vintage-look belts, closes in a flash with a collar button below the roller buckles. This system is invisible from the outside, and we've added it for added practicality.
Inside, everything will be neatly arranged in the numerous pockets, and side gussets allow you to modulate the volume. As on many of our models, a felt pocket is specially designed for your laptop. Choose the size of your Éclair mailbag (S, M or L) to suit your needs. An Éclair mailbag is a loyal, hard-wearing and elegant companion, to be adopted for life!
Focus on materials: vegetable-tanned leather with a “candlelight” feel
This leather is as soft as peach skin, and we're astonished by its velvety feel when we touch it for the first time. We wanted this “candle” touch so that the Éclair mailbag would embody the emotional memory it evokes. We obtain these leathers, also in soft colors, from our partner tanners with whom we've worked since the very beginning.
They are top-quality, full-grain leathers. The pigmentation is done in the mass of the leather and not only on the surface, which ensures better durability and patina. Our partner tanners guarantee incomparable quality, both in the choice of leathers and in the vegetable tanning - another of our long-standing requirements.
How do I clean this leather satchel ? Here's a simple habit to adopt to preserve the beauty of your bag. First, dust the leather with a slightly damp cloth and leave to dry. Once the leather is dry, apply our natural leather milk to a clean cloth. This operation will both clean and nourish your bag, ensuring its longevity. Recommended frequency: 2 times a year.
French bags, 100% Made in France
Our french bags are entirely designed and manufactured in our workshop in St-Georges-de-Luzençon. Our special feature: a single craftsman follows the bag from start to finish, as in the traditional way. As a result, your Éclair mailbag has been crafted entirely by the artisan whose signature you'll find inside. And like all Bleu de Chauffe bags, your bag will be repairable whenever possible.
Discover our values, our choices and our manufacturing process in this video.
The Bleu de Chauffe look. What to wear with the Bleu de Chauffe postman Éclair bag ?
For the ultimate workwear silhouette, the Éclair bag can be worn with selvedge denim, chino or cargo pants, leather boots and a Germinal or Gervaise jacket for women,
You can also break the codes with a pair of city sneakers, a loose, patterned shirt or a “total denim look” revealed by the Éclair mailbag.
Available in other colors
recommended
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Natural leather wax (150 ml)
$ 11.00 -
As zippered purse / M (Black)
$ 68.75
