Hermes Lindy Mini 19 CM Bag Handmade In Taurillon Clemence Leather Silver Hardware 08 Blue Pale

I packed Blue Pale for a ten-day trip because it disappears into a carry-on and then holds its own at dinner. Pale blue is a forgiving travel colour: it looks fresh in photographs and does not fight with whatever you happen to be wearing. Pale blue also photographs cleanly against hotel corridors and car windows, which matters more on a long trip than I expected.

Practical facts first: the 19 cm frame takes a passport flat on the bottom, with a phone, cardholder and keys alongside. The two handles fold away under the strap when I want my hands free through an airport, and the zips stay put in a crowded carriage.

Clemence softens as you travel with it. Mine picked up the shape of its usual load within a month, and the pale dye shows the grain as a fine, almost chalky texture that keeps the blue from looking sugary. The handles have already curved gently inward from being carried through turnstiles and departure gates.

Silver hardware, up close, is bright rather than flashy, and the cool tone keeps the whole bag feeling like a summer shirt rather than a dessert.

An honest warning: pale leather shows denim transfer and pen marks, so I keep pens in a pouch and avoid raw indigo on hot days. Treat it kindly and it will still look new at the end of the season, which is more than most holidays can say. Keep a dry hand and it stays pale for the entire journey.