Tote bags have come a long way from the cheap canvas ones your school handed you at freshman orientation. They are now in the arms of some of today's chicest and most fashionable ladies, and there is a good reason why. These bags are the perfect blend of style and functionality, and there is a tote bag for everyone and every need.
Here is everything you need to know about the tote bag: why it’s trending, who is carrying it, and which ones are on the top of our wishlists this season.
Why Designer Totes?
When you think of designer handbags, sleek shoulder bags, structured handbags, and darling clutches typically come to mind. Tote bags? Not so much. However, recent years have shown a resurgence of the item, and if a piece is trending, you know that fashion houses from New York to Milan will want in on it.
The post-Covid fashion world headed back into the office, and after years of sweatpants and athleisure, practicality became a part of style again. With everything from a laptop to a meal-prepped lunch to an emotional support water bottle needing to make it from home to the office, larger bags became necessary, and the tote entered the fashion world.
Luxury brands found an opportunity to take a drab canvas tote and make it high-end and did just that. From premium patterned fabrics to supple leathers and perfectly constructed pieces, designer tote bags are now essential in any designer collection. These bags were made to be used and lived in, and they can hold up to everything from weekend trips to board meetings, shopping days, and soccer games.
Picking the Perfect Tote
As with all designer bags, not every piece is for you. With tote bags, however, there are so many styles, patterns, colors, and materials there is bound to be a tote for you.
Plus, if you can’t find a bag you love in the current collection of fashion houses, previously owned designer bags can be found in all shapes and sizes on resale sites. There, you may be able to find a unique tote that is perfect for you. Here are some of the ways we see tote bags styled and a few of our picks for designer bags that fit the bill:
The Boardroom Boss
For our ladies who are crushing it in the corporate world, look at tote bags that will keep you organized and chic. Leather bags are an excellent choice for commuters, as they can withstand rainy conditions and are sturdy enough to handle train transfers and busy sidewalks. Leather will always be in style and look more elevated to match your more put-together outfits.
Try looking for a bag with compartments and pockets inside to keep your items right where you need them. Organizing is your jam, and your bag has you covered.
Our pick: The Jimmy Choo Diamond Tote/M is a gorgeous leather bag ideal for working women. Available in four stunning colors, there is bound to be a tote that matches your wardrobe. With a detachable inner pocket, you can keep all your essentials right at your fingertips and access them without needing to rummage through your bag.
The City Shopper
If your ideal weekend involves a trip to the city to hit up all of your favorite stores, a roomy canvas tote could be the perfect addition to your favorite routine. A lightweight but sturdy tote bag is the ideal accessory to throw over your shoulder and keep everything with you without weighing you down.
You can’t shop ‘til you drop without snacks and some essential hydration, so one with enough room for your water bottle, some food, and some of your smaller shopping bags is the perfect way to keep an easy-going and effortless look.
Our pick: The Gucci Ophida Tote bags come in several sizes and colors, all made with the house's Supreme Canvas in their iconic interlocking “GG” pattern. This bag is roomy, with plenty of room for all of your essentials and an interior zipper pocket to keep your important belongings safe. The leather trim and premium metal hardware make this bag a chic and reliable tote for all your shopping needs.
The Beach Babe
If you live on the coast or just want to embody a bit of that boho energy, a beachy tote is just for you. If you want a bag you don’t need to worry about getting wet, a woven leather tote can be a fabulous blend of waterproof leather and the bohemian style of textiles.
If you are after something more lightweight and natural, a straw tote or a roomy bag made of natural fibers is a fantastic choice. These bags have enough room for sunscreen, a towel, sunglasses, and your current beach read. A beachy tote can have you running on island vibes no matter where you are.
Our picks: If you want a leather tote bag that still feels effortless and beachy, try the Bottega Veneta Intreccato Tote in a lighter hue, such as its cream color. This tote is crafted in Italy with its iconic Intreccato weave. Even without a logo on the front, everyone who knows fashion will know this bag and see that you have incredible taste.
If you want a natural textile bag, then the Loewe Basket Bag in Palm Leaf and Calfskin is the perfect choice. This bag belongs on any tropical island because of its palm leaf construction, which is handwoven in Morocco. Its asymmetric leather handles and embossed leather logo plate on the front add tasteful and elevated touches.
The All-Around Gal
If you want a bag that can be your work bag during the week, your “mom” bag when you drop your kids off at school, the perfect shopping companion, and everything in between, there is only one choice. No article about designer tote bags is without a shout-out to one of the most iconic tote bags of all time.
Our pick: The queen of the luxury handbag game before it was trending, the Goyard Artois MM and Saint Louis GM bags would be right at home in any wardrobe. Made of exclusive Goyardine canvas in a wide array of colors, this bag is truly one of the most iconic tote bags of all time. With a roomy interior, detachable inside pockets, and the opportunity to customize with your initials, this bag is everything you want a basic tote to be without being basic at all.
The Right Tote
The right tote for everyone will be different. Use this guide as you shop new and pre-owned designer purses. Whether you’re making a splash in the corporate world or the ocean, whichever function you need your tote to serve, you can find a designer bag to fit the bill.