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My Own Money: Ally Capellino Timothy Tote

Monday 25 July 2011

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I opted for the beige

Westie and I happened to be in Shoreditch recently, which provided an opportunity to visit the Ally Capellino store. While there I took advantage of competitive sale time reductions to pick up one of her eminently practical British waxed cotton canvass ‘Timothy’ totes. Something I should have done a long time ago.

 
 
I’ve long admired London based label Ally Capellino. The brainchild of Alison Lloyd and first launched in 1980, the range of bags and accessories have a wonderfully minimalistic and slightly industrial aesthetic. Moreover, Lloyd is not afraid to experiment in colour which coupled to some pleasing design tweaks makes them highly original. Of course those things alone mean very little when it comes to luggage. If the kit isn’t practical and well made you might as well throw your money out the window. But, one thing that helps this label stand out amongst the over designed dross of larger competitors is that Ally Capellino bags combine both style and real substance.
 
 
I was prompted to buy one having recently started a new job that has me commuting daily to Cambridge, a 2.5 hour door to door yomp. The urgency was heightened by the fact I’d recently invested in some nice new suits; and nothing destroys a suit quite like a bag filled with the paraphernalia of working life slung over the shoulder. I decided it was time to ditch my conventional rucksack and opted for the Timothy Tote.
 

I was, I confess, momentarily tempted by the ‘Frank’ rucksack, part of the classic collection featured every season. Structured along similar lines to an executive briefcase, a wide opening zipper across the top and heavy duty straps either side mean you retain the versatility of a regular rucksack but with the option of carrying it comfortably off the shoulder. However, I needed a little more space for carrying both gym kit as well as numerous papers (there was always the danger that if I had should straps I’d use them). Yet I still think the Frank would make a wonderful weekend travel bag -finances permitting I may well buy that as well.

Anyways, I settled on the ‘Timothy’ tote and couldn’t be happier. A deep cabin means there is plenty of room for all my papers plus gym kit and the soft, but robust, cloth straps don’t dig into your hand when carrying it laden. Unlike many totes which are permanently open, the Timothy can be closed up tight. Combined with the Timothy’s waxed cotton canvass shell, the contents can be preserved from the harsh elements –as I discovered the hard way during two downpours. A reinforced leather underside improves further the water resistance and means you can set it down on a concrete train station floor without fear of water seeping in. In these first few weeks alone it’s proved to be a real investment.
 
 
Ally Capellino bags aren’t cheap, but there are some good sale time bargains to be had –in fact the Timothy has just been reduced by another £45- and I’d recommend most highly to my fellow commuters.
 

 

Posted by Stealth

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