Old-school musettes – the type with a single shoulder strap and enough space for a well-packed A4 envelope, looked to have gone out of fashion until recently. Lightweight versions in thin cotton fabric can be found as give-aways but the near-ubiquitous drawstring rucksac with twin shoulder loops has displaced even them in the affections of promotional materials manufacturers.
Luckily for those who still favour the original article, iL (yes, really) Soigneur makes very pleasing examples indeed. Sturdy ones, for sure; the strap is made from the same sort of webbing as car seat belts and the musette pocket itself from one of several hard-wearing fabrics such as canvas or the reinforced PVC used for the Classic musette shown here.
Apparently, iL Siogneur musettes are made in batches using whatever fabric is locally available at the time, meaning that they are all effectively limited edition items. The iL Siogneur website suggests that the number in each edition is a maximum of three although the Bristol-based firm also makes them in larger runs for event promotions and similar purposes.
The Classic musette showcases the brand’s thinking, with a broad 50mm strap firmly attached to a reinforced PVC pocket with colourful fabric lining, in this case decorated with a floral motif and “glamour girl” artwork. Closure is buy three poppers, which line the gap along the top of the pocket rather than hold down a flap. There’s nothing but the narrowness of the gap to stop rain getting inside.
As ever with a single strap, keeping the musette centred on the rider’s back may require the occasional one-shouldered shrug. The flat shape is not ideally suited to carrying bulky items. Otherwise, this is an attractive way to carry slender items such as paperwork. SRP £28.
