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Tote bags – or shoppers to your mum – are perhaps the most useful of all bags. Not as fussy as a cross-over body, less likely to wind up others than a backpack, and more capacious than a bumbag, the roomy square shape means it can hold everything from your laptop and book to that bottle of wine you pick up on the way home from work.
Design-wise, the absence of extra pockets and straps coupled with the simplicity of form also means that the humble tote can be a great vehicle for fabric, colour, texture or even print (as the countless giveaway versions given out at any event by way of advertising prove). A good example will last for years and become a favourite everyday go-to. Here are some of our current favourites.
Marimekko Gratha Totebag
Known usually for their bold prints, Marimekko surprised us with this minimalist leather bag with the brand’s iconic floral design reduced to a subtle tone-on-tone canvas shoulder strap. With its almost sculptural shape, the bag can be carried by the ‘shopper’ handle or, if cycling or weighed down with more luggage, using the detachable longer one. A key fob and zip pocket inside are nice practical touches too.
Ralph Lauren Herringbone Tweed Medium Devyn Totebag
With its tweedy fabric and chestnut leather details, this bag is grown up and classy. The side straps pull the top in a little offering a bit of cover to the contents and there’s an inside zip pocket for valuables. You just know this one will look better and better with age.
Bally Mythos Totebag
Another bag that will stand the test of time is this chic one from the Swiss heritage brand Bally. Beautifully made from leather, the study bag has quite a boxy frame that stands nicely when you put it down whilst the stripes add a bit of subtle branding of the IYKYK variety.
Marni Large basket
Despite giving lux-beach-bag vibes, this beauty from Marni should definitely not be kept solely for summer vacations on the Cote d’Azur. Made in a rustic basket weave with hand stitched (at least from the look of it) logo, it has both canvas handles and a longer strap and also a nice little leather fastener to keep the top closed.
Maison Kitsuné Fox Head Totetag
As we mentioned before, the very form of a tote bag makes it a great canvas for print or pattern and that, coupled with its (relative) lower cost means there is the possibility of having a bit of fun. Landing firmly in that area is this cute but stylish offering from Maison Kitsune, resplendent with the brand’s logo fox.
