Filt Net Shopper Bag: The Classic French Market Tote, Made in Normandy

Some designs never needed improving. The French net bag, the filet that generations of mothers and grandmothers carried to market, is one of them. At House of AnLi we stock the original from Filt, a small company in Normandy that has specialised in making nets since 1860. It is one of our best-loved accessories, and once you have carried one you will understand why. Meet the Filt 210 Net Medium Shopper Tote Bag.

A French Market Classic, Knitted in Normandy

Filt began with nets for fishing, hammocks and sports, and the same know-how goes into every market bag today. The cotton is dyed in the north of France to Oeko-Tex 100 standards, then knitted and stitched in the company's factory in Caen. The result is a bag made from 100% knitted mesh cotton that is strong, expandable, practical and sustainable.

It looks delicate. It is not. These deceptively durable bags have stood the test of time because they are reliable: the mesh stretches to hold a wide array of goods and can carry a surprising amount of weight. Then, when the shopping is unpacked, the bag folds down small enough to disappear into a handbag or backpack.

Why the Net Bag Works So Well in Singapore

A reusable bag is only useful if you actually have it with you. The Filt net bag weighs next to nothing and tucks into the smallest corner of a tote, so it is always there for an unplanned stop at the wet market, the bakery or the supermarket on the way home. Keep one, or a few, in the car, by the front door or in your everyday bag.

The medium size comfortably takes a bottle of wine, a baguette and a few items of fresh produce. The open mesh lets fruit and vegetables breathe, and after a trip to the beach or the pool it shakes out sand and dries quickly. When it needs refreshing, it is machine washable at 30°C. Skip the tumble dryer and bleach, and iron on a low temperature if you wish.

Small, Medium or Large: Choosing Your Filt Bag

The bag comes in three sizes, all in the same knitted cotton, so the choice comes down to how you will use it.

• Filt 301 Small: the main compartment opens up to 25 x 25 cm, with a 10 cm handle. Lovely for a child, for a lunch run or as a pretty way to carry fruit.
• Filt 210 Medium: up to 40 x 40 cm with a 10 cm short handle, carried in the hand like a classic market bag. This is the everyday all-rounder.
• Filt 220 Large with long handle: up to 40 x 40 cm with a 30 cm handle, so it sits comfortably on the shoulder when your hands are full.

Then comes the enjoyable part: colour. There are classic shades such as Natural, Noir and Blue Jean, bright options such as Rainbow, Raspberry and Jaune Gold, and glitter editions including Mastic Gold Glitter and Pluie Silver Glitter for something a little more dressed up.

Styling Tips: Beyond the Grocery Run

The net bag has long since left the market stall. A few ways our team likes to use it:

• As a summer handbag. Slip a small pouch inside for your phone, keys and cards, and let a scarf or a paperback show through the mesh. Natural or Noir goes with everything.
• For the beach or pool. Towel, sunscreen, a bottle of water and a hat all fit in the medium or large, and the open knit never traps sand.
• As gift wrapping. Fill a net bag with a bottle of wine, a box of tea and a candle, and the wrapping becomes part of the present. It is a thoughtful, low-waste idea for a hostess gift or housewarming.
• At home. Hang one on a hook in the kitchen for onions, garlic or citrus, or in the hallway for scarves and sunhats.
• For little ones. The small size is perfect for carrying toys to the playground, and children love having a bag of their own.

A Small Gift That Gets Used Every Day

Useful, good-looking and made to last, a Filt bag is one of those presents that people keep reaching for. It suits a friend who loves France, a keen cook, a new neighbour or a teacher, and a pair in two colours makes a charming set. Pair it with something from our Gifts & Lifestyle collection, or browse more bags and accessories for other ideas.

Come and see the full range of colours at House of AnLi, #02-139/141, Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Road, open daily from 9am to 9pm, or shop the Filt 210 Net Medium Shopper Tote Bag online with delivery across Singapore. Questions about colours or stock? Call us on +65 6235 3851 or write to info@houseofanli.com.