Fall Shopping | The Perfect Tote

Mulberry medium Dorset leather tote | $500 at Net-a-Porter
Baggu leather tote | $240 at Baggu
Rib & Hull Heirloom tote in blood | $285 at Need Supply
Rochas open tote | $1275 at Barney’s
Madewell Transport Tote | $168 at Madewell
Foley & Corinna East West Tote | $495 at Shopbop
Clare Vivier Tropezienne with longer handles | $405 at Clare Vivier
Shannon South Nubuck hudson tote | $485 at Shannon South
Tila March Daisy Tote | $657 at Hampden Clothing after GRECHEN20 code for 20% off

I’m pretty sure I’m always searching for THE PERFECT TOTE, and I think I finally have the definitive list of what exactly makes up the perfect tote, in my opinion of course 😉 :

– a deep East/West style instead of North/South – n/s is way too difficult to get to the bottom of
– adjustable handle straps, or at least a strap drop of 8-10″ so I can carry it on my shoulder if I want
– slouchy, but not too slouchy
– at least one inside pocket, but NOTHING on the outside
– straps should be attached at the top of the bag (otherwise the leather will flop over. not pretty)

I see a tote as the bag I’ll carry forever. Something to just throw everything into and go, and that will only get better with age. This desire for a tote comes around every fall for me – I don’t know why – maybe I associate fall dressing with a more easy-going, effortless chic look that requires a tote to complete. In my head, I see myself all fall in straight jeans, ballet flats, and a cashmere sweater with said perfect tote (in a nice rich caramel brown color). The end; I’ve reached the pinnacle of my personal style.

All of the totes above could be contenders for the perfect tote, depending on what’s most important to you. For me, I need to be able to sling it on my shoulder if I want, so the Baggu tote (if it wasn’t such a light leather) would seem to work wonderfully, and the price is good. I also still love the Clare Vivier tote with the longer handles, although Sharon says those front “straps” are weird in real life. The Foley & Corinna tote in the middle is actually almost perfect because the straps are adjustable, and the Madewell tote I’ve had my eye on for a while, but I wish it was more square.

I seem to always be on a quest for the perfect __________ (fill in the blank), and I have no idea if it’s even possible to find the perfect _________, but I do love the thrill of the chase. And the idea that maybe, one day, I’ll find my one & only perfect leather tote.

Have you found that perfect tote? that perfect bag? perfect anything?

More of my favorite totes…