Have you ever turned up at a really swanky hotel or restaurant and suddenly felt ashamed of your scruffy old luggage or tatty looking cheap purse? I have and I’ve also shamefully lusted over someone else’s stylish tan leather hold all on more than one occasion. While I try not to waste my time worrying unduly about what other people think of me, when travelling to stylish places I can’t help but want my luggage to be in keeping.

When it comes to suitcases my favourite range is Samsonite and a hard case, Spinner suitcase accompanies me everywhere on longer travels (I love the way it glides along compared to my previous suitcase). However, when I’m travelling light for a long weekend away, such as my recent voyage on the Azamara Journey, a refurbished, luxury ‘small’ cruise ship – more on that coming soon – I wanted something smaller and, of course, stylish.

Cellini, an online retailer carrying all my favourite brands, recently asked me to review one of their products and I selected the Ashwood Shoreditch Holdall, very similar to the hold all I remember once swooning over on a weekend press trip to Mallorca. I love the vintage look of this range of bags and this particular one is big enough to carry everything I might need for a long weekend, even my laptop. Plus with handy outside and inside pockets it was just what I had been longing for.

Review Ashwood Shoreditch Holdall

Why did I choose this range?

I love tan coloured leather and always find it more appealing than dark brown or black, plus I find it more flexible, as it goes with outfits in pretty much any colour. The vintage look to the Shoreditch range means that it won’t go out of fashion. It is made from high-quality leather with sturdy fixtures so should last well plus, as the bag ages, it won’t look scruffy, simply more authentically vintage. And I could see myself using it for both business and pleasure trips. It looked perfect.

The details

The Ashwood Shoreditch Holdall is reputed to be made from the finest tanned leather available. It is light to carry and has a large capacity ideal for short breaks. The large opening means that its contents is easily accessible and it’s plenty big enough for my laptop. It can be carried either by the handles ob by an adjustable and detachable shoulder strap.

It has a handy front pocket for easy access, a zipped internal pocket (the most secure place to keep items such as your purse) and internal pockets to hold your phone and pens etc. It is 29 cm high, 42 cm long and 18 cm deep – suitable to be used as a carry-on bag when flying.

What I love most

I adore the vintage look and sturdy styling of this bag as well as the option of carrying it over the shoulder or in your hand thanks to the dual handles.

What I love least

The only thing missing is some wheels which might come in handy if you have particularly heavy items inside. Being very much a unisex bag, though, if I were to ask my other half to carry it for me, at least he won’t feel like a big girl’s blouse.

Final thoughts

The Ashwood Shoreditch Holdall is well made and durable, practical, stylish and timeless. I have been using it regularly for over a month now and I’m delighted with it (and I have to admit I do feel rather posh carrying it around). I will let you know how it stands the test of time.

But if you still aren’t convinced this is the right bag for you then check out Cellini’s useful luggage buying guide, including a quick summary of hand baggage allowance for popular airlines serving the UK.

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Disclosure: I received the Ashwood Shoreditch Holdall from Cellini for review purposes. All views, opinions and photographs are my own, as is my lovely, vintage, tan leather holdall … mine, all mine at last.