Hermes Kelly Pochette Handmade In Lizard Leather from South Africa Gold Hardware 51 Rouge Exotique

Rouge Exotique is a proper red, vivid and slightly cool, with none of the brick warmth that makes reds look autumnal, and in lizard the color sits in the fine scales like enamel. It is the loudest thing in this batch of pochettes, and I mean that as a recommendation.

The bag itself is unchanged: 22 cm long, 12 cm tall and 7 cm deep, one wrist handle, flap closure. A phone, a cardholder, keys and a lipstick go in and out with one hand. It is small enough to hold in a palm at a standing reception, and structured enough to stand on the table beside a glass of wine.

Lizard is stiff, which is what keeps the flap and gusset so precise on a small bag, and also what means the surface will not forgive a scrape. Those tiny scales are raised, and any abrasion is permanent. The compensation is that lizard is one of the toughest skins for its weight and keeps color exceptionally well.

Keep red lizard away from ink and dark linings, and it will stay this bright for a decade.

On its own terms it is a winter red rather than a summer one, and I wear it with a black coat, grey knitwear or ivory silk, where the tiny scales keep the color from looking flat anywhere on the surface. Between this and a red calfskin clutch, lizard wins on depth; calf wins on careless handling. For being noticed, the lizard has no equal.