When I wrote a post almost two years ago on made-in-the-US alternatives to the Madewell Transport Tote there weren’t as many great options available as there are today, and I’ve also received so many amazing reader suggestions it was beyond time for an update and some additions.
My original goal with the post was to provide more sustainable* alternatives to the super-popular Madewell Transport Tote that were similar in style & price – less than $200 – but made much more responsibly (in the US, and/or vegetable-tanned leather, handmade by independent artisans, etc.). For more details on why not Madewell, please see the original post. And for some vegan bags and non-leather brands I like (not necessarily only totes) please take a look at this post.
Below I’ve featured my favorite under $200, more responsible alternatives to Madewell’s “classic” transport tote. And then, if you’re willing to pay a bit more, I’ve also featured some beautiful leather totes that are over $200, featuring more details, and luxury finishes.
1. Cuyana (made in the US) | $175
2. Nisolo JoAnne Tote (made in Peru) | $178
3. Baggu basic leather tote (made in the US) | $160
4. Fleabag (made in the US) | $195
5. fashionABLE Mamuye tote (handcrafted in Ethiopia) | $178
6. Frank Clegg large leather tote (made in the US) | $700
7. The Stowe Katie tote (made in Canada) | $360 at Garmentory (use my referral link for a $20 credit)
8. Clare V. La Tropezienne 8″ (made in the US) | $425 new (I have one of these going up in SLOWRE very soon!!)
9. Lotuff medium leather tote (made in the US) | $725
10. Wood & Faulk structured leather tote (made in the US) | $395
More excellent options, some mentioned above, some not:
Portland Leather Goods | $110, all made in the US
FashionABLE – made in Africa
Cuyana – some styles are made in Argentina, some in Italy
Everlane – made in Italy
Whipping Post – not clear where the bags are made actually…
Nisolo – Made in Peru
Leah Lerner (made in Israel)
BAGGU
The Stowe (made in Canada) – very sturdy, more structured leather bags
JW Hulme
Rennes
Libaire
Lotuff
Frank Clegg
Wood and Faulk
Clare V
Please leave more brand/designer suggestions in the comments if you have them! Also reviews if you have any of the bags mentioned above (I know some of you have fashionABLE & Cuyana bags), and any other input you’d like to add.
Personally, I have an Everlane Petra tote that has served me very well, and a black tote by Admonish which is my almost-every-day bag. I’m considering buying the Cuyana zip top leather tote for travel though, since neither of my current totes have closures. Does anyone have that? What are your thoughts?
*what is sustainable??
Sustainable fashion, also called eco fashion, is a part of the growing design philosophy and trend of sustainability, the goal of which is to create a system which can be supported indefinitely in terms of environmentalism and social responsibility. – wikipedia
I’ve had the Cuyana tote for almost three years and have used it every weekday commuting to work and back (and as a carry-on on train/plane trips). Aside from getting a little worn on the handles, it’s still in fantastic shape! I really love it.
to clarify – I have the Cuyana tote in your list as #1, not the zip-top.
Hi Grechen,
Thanks for another informative post! I purchased a tote from Whipping Post earlier this year. The interior says, “Made in Mexico.” I don’t know how I got the idea it was made in America, but I recall being surprised when it arrived and I saw it wasn’t made in the U.S. I’m not certain that all their goods are made in Mexico, but since you mentioned uncertain origins in your post, I thought I’d weigh in. For what it’s worth, the quality of the Whipping Post is quite good, but more and more (largely thanks to you!), I’m finding quality options from companies that are transparent about where they source and manufacture their items.
oh, thanks lindsay! i expect they’re of similar quality? although i wish the zipper wasn’t BRIGHT gold….
thanks for your input stephanie! i looked ALL OVER whipping post’s site for “made in” information and didn’t find it anywhere. but i was under the impression that it was made in the US also. thanks for clarifying. there’s certainly nothing wrong with made in mexico, under the “right” conditions/monitoring/etc., but i wish they’d be up front about that on their site.
Just ordered the Stowe….and you SO read my mind – I was just thinking yesterday that I’d love to find a natural/brown tote that wasn’t huge but well made. Thanks for doing the hunting for me!
I also have the Cuyana tote but not the zip top version. I used it regularly last winter to lug tax files home at night and back to the office in the morning. It held up really well. No real signs of wear and tear as of year. The leather is gorgeous and I have it in the red colour which is really beautiful. I recommend.
Campos bags (co-founded by Toni Hacker of Hayden-Harnett fame) are made by hand in Brooklyn. The tote is very soft and unstructured, so it’s a different sort of bag from most of the choices here. Also the straps are very thin, and that’s the main reason I don’t have a Campos tote (I like something a bit more gutsy to grab onto). I do own a clutch though and can vouch for the quality of the workmanship and the yummy leather. They may be worth a look for some. 🙂
I abought the FashionABLE tote featured here in the darker, softer brown color maybe two years ago, and I love it and get compliments whenever I use it. It’s a nicer looking alternative to the LeSportsac nylon tote I used while traveling, and because the leather comes with a more “worn in”, weathered look, it seems to me that it helps the bag’s leather age a little better.
I’ve heard really good things about Minor History, but haven’t bought myself since their totes are a little smaller than what I need for an everyday commuting bag. But the Night School tote in black is really appealing to me – I think the perforated leather is really cool. The card cases and wallets are super cute, too.
On their FAQs page concerning production of their items:
“All Minor History products are designed and developed in New York City. Our leather hides come from American cows and are finished in our tannery in Southern China.
Our cut and sew factory, in Guangzhou China, is true a partner of Minor History that provides craftsmanship, experience and production flexibility. The quality of our goods is unrivaled because of this partnership.
Both our factory and tannery are audited by an independent 3rd party to ensure working conditions, safety and fair wages are prioritized. For more information, email us.”
haha! you’re welcome!! i love that one, and have been thinking about it myself. please let us know what you think when you get it.
yes, i have a hard time with thin straps; they’re a deal-breaker for me…
but i love some of those bags!! and i must have known about the brand when it launched, but had forgotten about it. i loved early hayden-harnett – they were one of the first companies to work with me actually…way back a million years ago 🙂
oh, nice! i’d never heard of minor history – also love that they say that their leather comes from cows that are raised for food, not for leather – which i appreciate VERY MUCH. i’m going to email them for more information about that, and their chinese factory… cute stuff though!
I bought a Rowdy tote at the Brooklyn flea recently, and it has served me *very* well. It has a zipper, and although it’s unlined, does have a pretty generously sized internal pocket. I’ve used it every day since early May.
And the best part is how incredibly affordable it is while still being ethically produced (http://rowdy-leather-sa.myshopify.com/pages/shared-value)—under $100.
That’s how I discovered your blog – looking for info/reviews of H-H bags, back a million years ago! 😉
She has a new line now, called Thacker. Nice bags, some clothing.
I have Cuyana’s Classic Leather Tote (shown above) in Stone and have used it for several years. It’s wonderful and I love that it’s not bulky under my arm. I also recently bought the Zip Top Tote in black, but haven’t started using it yet. It’s still very warm here, and I want to use it once it’s cooler and through the winter.
F yes, Gretchen! I couldn’t support this post more.
thank you jillian 🙂
Hi Grechen
Eileen Fisher also makes her bags here in NY with sustainable goods and responsible dyeing techniques
I have the zip top. Has worn really well thus far (have had it ~1 year), and it’s classic. I’m pretty tall (5’10”), so you might want to try it to see if the proportions work for you and the strap length is comfortable.
ah, why do i always forget about eileen fisher for bags???
Yay! This is a great compilation. AND your original post came up when I was searching on google one day, and that’s how I found you!
Of course I have to add my two cents…
I have the Madewell Zip Transporter tote (bought it before I started down the ethical-fashion road) and it has not aged well. It did the first year, and now the second year is almost complete, and it just looks so beat to crap!
I also have the Cuyana Tall Tote, and I’ve had that a little over a year, and it looks just as good as the day I got it. Something about the way they treat their leather makes it seem impermeable to drying out or aging.
Also I know an amazing bag maker in Portland, she’s launching her fall collection on Friday, and she has some gorgeous totes!! http://www.minniegeorge.com/
Wow!!! Thank you so so much for this awesome post!! I have been looking for a leather minimal tote for a while and all my googling brought me to not much else then… madewell, which actually didn’t convince me for estetical reasons. Now hesitating between Portland and fashionable, but one thing is sure, I’ll have my leather tote soon!! Thanks a bunch!!!
yay! please report back on which one you choose and what you think of it!!
I just got the Highland tote from Foto- it looks to be very well made and they donate 10% to charity:)