Meet the Garrison
Our goal has always been to create beautiful and useful pieces that become companions for life. Each season we are able to focus and streamline our design process a little more as we continue to refine each of our pieces for optimal, seamless use. There is no Winter Session bag more iconic and functional than the Garrison Bag; it's one of our first and most lasting designs.
After receiving valuable customer feedback over the past year, we have opted to replace the Large and Small sized Garrisons that we offered last season with a nicely balanced proportion that feels 'just right'. The updated Garrison Bag -- sized squarely between the Large and Small -- is the perfect size for any occasion, whether you’re commuting to work, ducking outside for a picnic, or taking a weekend road trip. Staying true to its original concept, the new Garrison functions like a well-organized catch-all for your daily necessities. Slip in a laptop or iPad, charger, and a large notebook on a more productive afternoon; pack a camera and a few extra layers for a day of exploring a new place; or fill it with a loaf of bread and other treats from the market for a cozy evening with friends.
The vegetable-tanned leather handles on the Garrison bag are the heartiest of our handles. Cut from 8 oz. cowhide from the respectable Hermann Oak tannery in St. Louis, they are folded, molded and then sewn with heavy duty nylon thread to help bear more weight with a comfortable grip. Each handle is attached to the bag with six brass rivets for added durability and integrity. Brass D-rings on either side of each handle facilitate flexible use of the shoulder strap and provide a handy spot to clip on your keys. The leather strap adjusts with a solid brass buckle so you can lengthen it across your body for use as a messenger bag, or casually throw it over one shoulder with a comfortable, shorter setting. If you tend toward the minimal, you can remove the strap altogether and carry the bag by its sturdy handles with a firm grip. Our favorite traveling tip: affix the leather tab closure and clip the two pairs of D-rings together on either side of the bag for more security.
Designed for easy organization on the go, the Garrison is outfitted with numerous pockets and compartments for storing valuables and everyday essentials. The bag's exterior is fitted with two end pockets -- perfect for storing a water bottle, sunglasses, or even an umbrella -- as well as a large document pocket and an additional accessory pocket for smaller items. We’ve added a leather tab to the snap closure on the document pocket so you can easily snap it shut from the outside without having to reach into the main compartment of the bag. Lest you lose something important in the Garrison's roomy interior, we've added a divided pocket for pens, pencils, phone, or wallet across from our signature WS accessory pocket.
Our hope is that the new Garrison, with its classic design intact and improved with a few small tweaks, will fulfill your needs, adapt to your lifestyle, and stand up over time. As we often tell our customers -- and we mean it -- your bag will quickly become one of your best friends, if not a lifelong companion.
Explore our full collection of Garrison Bags and other totes here.