We’re doing stealth-cool this season, boys and girls, and those in the know have already agreed on this season’s most sought after item. The Carlucci’s shopping bag.

With the overflow of Louis and Chanel on the Atlantic Seaboard it will be the hard-to-find locally exclusive, absurdly cool, distinctive symbol of of things understatedly hot – The Carlucci’s Bag.

Homer enjoys the Carlucci’s bag

I got mine today.

As a regular at Carlucci’s (one of the stop-offs on the Cape Town Super Circuit), one develops a rapport with the manager and people on the till. I gave it a full go this week and pumped our boy with a R10 note into the tip box next to the till (noting that there was a R20 there already – something they must SURELY plant there – to "set the tone" as it were). Anyway, he was impressed with my gusto and bid me an exuberant evening.

I went to Carlucci’s again this afternoon after a very exciting pre-summer cheeky hour-or-two on the beach. I was escorted through the shop and advised on what a great response the new Graham Beck sparkling was getting. I was amazed at the hands-on approach to service I was receiving. Giving in, I grabbed five of the bottles as I was awarded what was as close as one can get to a virtual applause from our boy.

We got to the till after agreeing that some people were indeed going to the beach today. We had a brief prayer session hoping and pleading that this was indeed summer breaking through after the HORRIFYING four-or-so months of winter we had managed to survive (as we (spoilt Capetonians) spend the whole of summer lamenting over how much longer it will last). It was at this point that the guy said to me, "Look, I’m going to give you one of these bags," as he looked at me with an expression that indicates that this is quite a big deal. I was well aware of the coolness and exclusivity that surrounds the simple, clean, distinctive canvas bags and acted normal, just DYING to get out of the shop so that I could celebrate in private.

So that’s it, people. I’ve got mine. I’m ready.

I’m seeing it on the beach this season; filled with towel, snacks, drinks, music, phone, wallet and pot.