Hermes Herbag Zip 31 Bag Retourne 37 Gold 93 Orange Handmade In Militaire Canvas and Hunter Cowhide Silver Hardware

Gold and orange used to be reserved for a certain kind of packaging; worn as a bag, they turn out to be an unusually practical pair. The 93 orange on this Zip 31 is a softened, earthy orange, and the 37 gold leather of the frame sits above it like a darker sibling. The militaire canvas underneath has a slightly denser, more matte weave than the standard cloth, which gives the colour something to stand on.

The details are classic Herbag, done well: a firm hunter-cowhide top, cleanly turned edges, silver studs that stay visually quiet against the warm canvas, and a strap riveted rather than stitched at the anchor points. The bag holds its shape on a table like a small suitcase, and softens against the body when carried.

Inside the 31 cm body it happily takes a proper autumn kit — a folded jumper, a camera, a flask and a paperback — and the retourne construction means it slouches into the crook of an arm when it’s half full. The collapsible handle sits flat when not in use, so the strap does all the work on long walks.

An honest caveat: the militaire canvas is water-resistant rather than waterproof. A shower is fine; a soaking isn’t, and the orange will darken visibly while wet before drying back. My advice is the same as for any good coat, watch the sky, and your bag keeps its looks for years. The colour has held beautifully through a full season of daily carrying.