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Out of Teddy Blake’s entire catalog, one bag has more reviews than almost anything else the brand sells: the Ava Croco 9″ in Black, at $510 with a 4.85 out of 5 rating across 148 reviews. I went through a large chunk of those reviews, plus the full product spec sheet, to see if it actually earns that score.
What it’s made of
The Ava Croco is built from croco-embossed calf leather with a real suede interior and gold-toned hardware. Teddy Blake makes all of its bags in Italy from full-grain leather, and this piece carries the brand’s signature dust bag and lock charm.
It’s a single round-handle flap bag with a central compartment, one interior zip pocket, one slide pocket, and an exterior zip pocket. The shoulder strap is detachable and adjustable from 17 to 23 inches, so it works as a top handle, crossbody, or shoulder bag depending on how you wear it.
What buyers are actually saying
A 4.85 average across 148 reviews is a strong number at that volume. The most common praise themes are the deep, rich color of the croco embossing, the compact but usable 9-inch size, and the overall craftsmanship of the stitching and hardware.
One reviewer, Margaret B., called out the “gorgeous deep color and leather quality.” Another, Yonna S., described it as a “high quality, sturdy handbag at an affordable price.” A third buyer, Mariam S., noted the bag looks even better in person than in the product photos, which is a good sign for a brand you can’t try on before buying.
Size and how it wears
At 9.3 inches tall, 3.7 inches wide, and 9 inches long, this sits in Teddy Blake’s compact size tier. It’s built more for everyday essentials than for someone who needs to carry a laptop or a lot of bulk.
If you want the same silhouette with more room, Teddy Blake also sells the Ava in larger sizes. For care instructions that keep the croco embossing from cracking or fading, see my leather care guide.
How it compares
Independent reviewers who’ve compared Teddy Blake bags against pricier names like Mulberry consistently point to the same gap: comparable Italian leather and construction, at roughly a third of the price or less. That trade-off is the core reason I found Teddy Blake worth covering in the first place, which I lay out in my full brand review.
Should you buy it
If you want a compact, structured leather bag with a strong review track record and don’t need a recognizable logo to feel like the price was justified, the Ava Croco is the easiest entry point into Teddy Blake’s catalog. Since you can’t handle it in person first, buy directly from Teddy Blake’s own site so the 14-day return window actually applies. My guide to buying authentic Teddy Blake covers exactly how to confirm that.
If you’re not sure the Ava is the right silhouette for you, my how-to-choose guide compares it against the brand’s other collections by size and use case.
Keep reading: my full Teddy Blake brand review, how to pick the right Teddy Blake bag, and where to buy Teddy Blake authentically.