Have I told you that I am crazy about (my husband would probably say ‘totally obsessed’ with) handbags? Yes, the ‘bag gene’ runs in my family: my sister has it, my niece has it and even my 3-year old daughter is already showing the signs.

Luckily for my bank account though, I’m not designer-crazy so I’m as happy with my Mulberry Bayswater from last year, as I am with the leopard print and black leather River Island tote I bought a few weeks ago. As long as the bag is my style and I love it, I’ll have it.

Designer versus High Street:
Mulberry's oversized Bayswater tote vs. River Island oversized tote

I was very tempted by the new Fendi felt shopper bag when I saw it in Grazia magazine about a month ago. I really like felt bags not only because they are very light but because, unlike suede or other delicate materials, if you get caught in the rain or the snow, the bag and its contents don’t get totally ruined. Still at £390 for the Fendi, I thought my money would be spent better – or even saved – elsewhere. I may still put it on my letter to Santa Hubby though…

But I did manage to find a very nice – and much more reasonably priced at £98 - felt bag at Swans Fashions (a Caradiaz stockist) in Cranbrook. It’s by German shoe and bag maker Abro. OK, it’s not a Fendi but who cares? It may serve me even better. Not only is it a capacious handbag in a very discreet way – it’s not at all bulky - but it’s handles are just long enough to allow you to carry the bag on your shoulder, as opposed to the Fendi one which, as a shopper, comes only with short handles and it would be a pain to carry after a while, considering the amount of stuff I carry with me on a regular basis...

Fendi felt shopper versus Abro felt shoulder bag

I took the Abro catalogue home and when I looked at it, I wish I hadn’t done it. Their Autumn/Winter collection is absolutely gorgeous and I would have any of them any time. Unfortunately though, it seems that the company underestimated the success of its collection and most of the models I enquired about are no longer into production, apparently due to lack of raw materials. An oversight or just playing it safe?

Some of the Abro beauties