Why You Need A Slouchy Tote
The tote is a style perennial – a veritable forever piece for your everyday wardrobe – but the sleekest is oversized and slouchy, says COLLEEN ROSS
At once practical and timeless, the bag everyone is coveting right now is the tote. Named after the verb that describes its use – ‘to carry’ – tote bags have been quietly building style mileage since their inception in the 1950s. This season, the silhouette to have on your radar is oversized and comes in butter-soft leather or suede that wears beautifully and goes with everything.
Look first to Loewe and its convertible ‘Puzzle Fold’ tote in a bold apple-green. The spacious design features the same origami folds as the brand’s original ‘Puzzle’ bag and will neatly pack away, making it ideal when you travel. Alternatively, try Valentino Garavani’s ‘Antibes’ tote – it’s been crafted in Italy from brown leather and is lined in suede. The best part? It has plenty of space inside for a laptop, scarf and water bottle. Meanwhile, DeMellier’s ‘New York’ style from our NET SUSTAIN edit comes in burgundy textured leather that will withstand inevitable bumps and scratches that come with daily wear.
The joy of a slouchy tote lies in its perfect fusion of spaciousness and practicality, versatility and elegance; there’s something comforting (and comfortable) about a supple silhouette that can be popped over a shoulder or tucked into the crook of an arm – crucially, with no need to edit its contents. If your style is more minimal, then opt for clean, sculptural lines – Toteme’s belted lizard-effect leather tote is the ultimate addition to every look. Elsewhere, Gucci’s monogrammed style pays tribute to the brand’s storied heritage and is a timeless choice for the office, airport and beyond.
By nature, slouchy totes are timeless, so opting for a neutral color makes sense – tan, black and gray will go with everything, now and always. See Khaite’s ‘Lotus’ tote, inspired by the drape and fluidity of a scarf, or Bottega Veneta’s oversized ‘Hop’ style, which has more than enough room for essentials. Meanwhile, Tod’s can always be relied on to put a chic spin on a classic silhouette, as illustrated by the ‘T Media’ tote in timeless olive green.