By Brit & Mitch: NYC Edition

Our brand ambassador Brit is on the move again - this time, to New York City, and accompanied by photographer Mitchell Vito. This is the third edition of ‘By Brit’, and in the spotlight this month is The Bowls Bag in Black Celtic Grain with Harris Tweed® Houndstooth and The Messenger Backpack in Navy and Tan.

In this series, we’ll be keeping up with Brit on her adventures, learning about her favourite places, how her style adapts to where she is, and, of course, what she carries with her in her bag! Today, Brit and Mitchell tell us all about their styling, what they used their bags for in NYC and what the city means to them.

Cambridge Satchel

Mitchell, since we haven’t met you before, please could you introduce yourself?

Mitchell

Hi there, I am a photographer and cinematographer based in New York City. I am a big fan of classic style and vintage menswear and am almost always accompanied by my chocolate labradoodle named Nate.

CS

Please take us through your outfits.

Mitchell

August is at times unbearably hot in NYC, so I dressed in head to toe linen. My shirt is from a brand called JP Amalfi, which I picked up in Amalfi after wandering into their shop and meeting the owner’s father running the showroom that day. The trousers are from a very large suit I found at the Brick Lane Vintage Market from when I lived in the area. I was working and learning tailoring at the time on Savile Row which gave me access to the resources I needed to take them apart and resize them. I’ve worn them every summer for the past 4 years. My shoes are RRL canvas high tops, which I thrifted for an amazing deal. My watch is a Junghans Meister Chronoscope and my rings are my grandfather’s from the 70s.

Brit

My headscarf is from an independent store in Soho (NYC), my skirt is Massimo Dutti, my shoes are Solovair and my top is Zara.

CS

What did you keep in your bags for a day in NYC?

Mitchell

Brit and I were out all day and both love to take photos while out, so I took advantage of the extra space The Messenger Backpack offered to carry a couple lenses and accessories for my camera. Additionally, I used the smaller pockets to move my wallet and phone out of my trouser pockets and still had space for a phone charger and a bottle of water.

Brit

In The Bowls Bag, I kept my point and shoot Konica Pop camera (its an 80s camera produced in Japan but I picked it up for £1 at a car boot sale), my purse and my phone!

CS

What are your favourite features of the bags?

Mitchell

I love the practical simplicity of The Messenger Backpack’s design and the quality of the leather it’s constructed with. It’s a durable backpack that gives me everything I could need while maintaining a classic aesthetic that aligns with my personal style.

Brit

I really enjoy The Bowls Bag’s unusual shape; I love the story behind it being part of such a historically important game. As you can probably tell from my style - I love mixing heritage pieces and styles with modern items and aesthetics.

CS

Brit, have you worn any tweed before? What are your thoughts on the houndstooth pattern?

Brit

I have worn tweed before! I have a tweed flat cap (very Yorkshire farmer - my mum’s from Yorkshire) and I love wearing it with a suit in Winter! This bag is my first houndstooth piece but I absolutely love it - I adore how traditional and sartorial it feels. I really enjoy the black and white colourway - I think it makes the pattern pop.

CS

What does New York City mean to you both?

Mitchell

To me and many others, NYC means opportunity. Similar to London, it is a hub for those determined to fulfil grand dreams and objectives for themselves. This city is full of people that have made sacrifices to be here and are hungry to grow and succeed. It would be hard to find a place with more interesting and impressive people.

Brit

To me, New York is cinematic - its the place I've grown up seeing in films, on TV, in books and so when I came here the first time I felt like I'd been dropped into a film! I live in London so I instantly felt at home in the city - it's so different but just as bustling! 

CS

Do you have a favourite spot in the city?

Mitchell

My favourite spot in the city is The Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station. It’s an iconic staple of NYC almost completely passed over by tourists despite being in the basement of one of the busiest landmarks in Manhattan. It’s a gorgeous functioning time capsule full of locals and traveling business people with a staff of old school New Yorkers, most of which have worked there for decades.

Brit

I love The Oyster Bar under Grand Central Station! It's like a snapshot of the late 50's, early 60's - the man at the cashier probably hasn't left his seat since then - it's an institution.

CS

Mitch, would you like to suggest a favourite song to add to our Cambridge Satchel Spotify playlist?

Mitchell

Guitar Man by Elvis Presley.

CS

Any final thoughts?

Brit

Spending time here with Mitchell, who is a fellow photographer/videographer, made the whole experience much more fun - we were able to explore it through the eyes of people who want to capture moments - the local hotdog cart, the two old ladies catching up in a diner - their local haunt for the last 40 years, the reflections of a neon sign in the rain... Everything was a moment.

We’ll catch up with Brit next time she styles up one of our bags on her travels. In the meantime, don’t forget to follow Brit and Mitchell’s adventures further via their Instagram pages!

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All photography by Brit Bones and Mitchell Vito.