Shoulder bag unisex, dark blue

This lightweight is one of a small series of bags for which Croots uses a bold, dark blue 18-ounce cotton canvas. It contrasts nicely with the shiny brass zippers and hardware, as well as the bright red lining fabric. Designed for travel or city strolling (on vacation or at home), the shoulder bag is kept extremely low-profile so it can be worn inconspicuously under a jacket to keep it safe from extraneous access. The cotton strap is infinitely adjustable, so it fits anyone and everyone, and is long enough to wear the bag crossbody or around the waist. The upper edges of the main compartment are carefully piped with darkbraunem leather, on the front the bag has a zippered compartment.

The British label Croots is one of the leather goods manufacturers that has quickly acquired the reputation of a traditional company. So it doesn't always take centuries of experience, but first and foremost you have to understand your craft and then use the right materials. John and Margaret Smith made this claim when they produced the first bags and cases for hunting and fishing under the label "Field Sports Products" in 1978: in the traditional way and from solid materials such as strong saddle leather and robust cotton canvas. Travel bags and small leather goods were added later. When daughter Jackie and son-in-law Allistair Croot took over the business in 2004, they did not change anything except the name. Since then, "Croots" has become a byword for British craftsmanship and solid bags worldwide; even the royal family owns a few Croots bags. The bags are designed and manufactured at the company's site in Malton, North Yorkshire. And the materials also come from the island: the bags are woven in Keighley, West Yorkshire, the waxed cotton canvas is sourced from the traditional Scottish manufacturer Halley Stevensons, and the fittings come from foundries in Walsall, West Midlands, or Sheffield. Only the zippers are sourced from Riri in Switzerland. Finally, with a few exceptions, the leather is vegetable-tanned and processed in the best saddlery style. In most cases, this is so-called English bridle leather, which is mainly used for saddles, bridles and belts, as it hardly gives thanks to a special tanning process.