The tote began as a working bag, and L.L.Bean's version started life in 1944 as an ice carrier. Today a leather tote is the one bag that can handle a laptop, a gym bag and a baguette. This is how to choose the size, structure and leather.
The Leather Tote: A Bag With Humble Beginnings
From ice carrier to everyday bag
The tote started as a working object. L.L.Bean introduced its Boat and Tote in 1944 as Bean's Ice Carrier, and reintroduced it in 1965, according to the company. The modern leather tote is its more polished descendant. After a long period of tiny bags that fit a lipstick and a phone, the big tote is a relief. It carries the laptop, the water bottle, the second pair of shoes and the book you swear you will read.
Structure or slouch
A structured tote holds its shape and makes a bag look sharper. A slouchy tote is softer and easier to squeeze into a crowded subway. Longchamp and Tory Burch make structured shoulder totes that look good at the office. Mansur Gavriel and Cuyana do softer, more minimal versions. Look for an interior zip pocket and a magnetic closure, so you can find your keys and keep your things from spilling. Check the handle length. It should fit comfortably over your shoulder with a winter coat.
Leather that lasts
Full-grain leather is the best choice, and it will develop a patina over time. Pebbled leather hides scratches, smooth leather looks sleek, and suede is lovely but needs a protective spray. Check the stitching at the handles, since that is where bags tend to fail. Picture her on the train in a cognac tote, a thermos poking out, the leather darkening where her hand holds it. A good tote gets better with use.
Size and color
A medium tote fits a 13-inch laptop and not much more. A large tote can carry a 15-inch laptop, but it gets heavy fast. Black is the most versatile, tan is the classic, and burgundy or green are good if you already own a neutral bag. In our fashion dreams she carries a camel tote to a weekend farmers market, with a baguette poking out, and looks like she has done this forever. Fill it with one small pouch for the essentials so you can switch bags easily.
What I would skip
I would skip a tote with too much hardware, which adds weight and noise. I would skip very pale colors that stain easily. And I would skip anything with thin handles that dig into your shoulder. A tote should be easy to live with, and comfort matters more than a label.
