Hermes Lindy 26 CM Bag Handmade In Taurillon Clemence Leather Gold Hardware 37 Gold

Camel is the great coat colour and, by extension, the great bag colour: it lifts black, flatters blue and makes grey look deliberate. This Lindy 26 in the tan shade the house calls Gold is my answer for days when I want warmth without brown.

It is twenty-six centimetres wide by eighteen tall by twelve deep – the personal size. Clemence’s pebbled grain and soft structure give it a relaxed, folded top line, and the gold hardware against tan is a pairing that dates back to horse tack, so it has had a long time to be proven right.

In daily use it holds a small wallet, a phone, keys, a compact, a lip balm and a packet of tissues; add a slim novel and it still closes. Crossbody on the long setting it clears a winter coat comfortably, and the two rolled handles let me carry it by hand into meetings.

What I will flag honestly: tan leather deepens where you touch it most, so the handles will gradually darken by half a shade. It looks like patina to me and I welcome it, but it is a change nonetheless. Clemence also dislikes being overstuffed – keep it within its natural fill and it keeps its drape.

A warm, forgiving bag that goes with half my wardrobe and improves with every season. In winter it is what I wear over a black coat when I want to look like I made an effort without proving anything.