Hermes Zipengo Chaine d’Ancre To Go Pouch Handmade In Evercolor Calfskin Leather Silver Hardware S2 Trench

Trench is the colour of a classic raincoat – a muted beige with a green whisper in it – and it behaves like a neutral in a way few tans do. Against camel it looks cool; against grey it warms up. The silver hardware on this pouch is the neutral choice to match, and the chain link detail stays subtle in the same tone as the zip.

Twenty and a half centimetres across is enough to hold a phone, a card case, keys on a slim ring, a small power bank and a pair of earbuds, which is my honest definition of a commuter pouch. It rides in a tote on office days and by itself on quick trips out, and Evercolor’s fine matte grain has kept the corners clean despite a lot of in-and-out of bags.

One honest point about khaki-beige: it is the ideal colour for hiding small marks and the very worst for hiding a big one. There is no contrast to break up a spill or a stain, so a noticeable mark sits there plainly. It is also the shade that looks worst when it is dirty overall – keep it washed and it looks expensive; neglect it and it looks tired.

Handled with an occasional wipe, it is one of the most versatile small pieces I own, and it works in every month of the year.