Tote bags are now fast becoming a staple in today’s fashion landscape. They are perfect for carrying everything, from laptops to makeup to books and more. But a designer tote takes this and elevates it to another level.
If you’re going to splurge on a designer bag, it’s vital to make sure you get it as right as you can. After all, you are spending a large amount of money, so some thought and planning is a wise idea. So, here are some of the tips I would give you, if you’re thinking of a designer totes purchase.
Lifestyle Matters
Are you thinking ‘any tote will carry everything I need?’ Because that’s a common mistake tote buyers make when it comes to designer purchases. It’s because totes actually come in a huge number of shapes and sizes, and they also come in wide and long options, while keeping a rectangular shape overall. So, if you want to fit your laptop in your designer bag and wear it to your important meetings, making sure it fits the bag is vital. Similarly, if you have children, the bag may need more space than you thought, to hold your essentials and the children’s essentials.
Choose the Right Brand
If you’re going to have a designer tote, you should know that not all brands are made the same. Some designer brands such as LV Australia offer free repairs if you buy a tote. This means you can easily take in the tote for repair if you accidentally tear the lining, or the kids get their hands on the bag. No matter what luxury brand you buy the tote from, make sure to research what they offer and make sure to get your money’s worth.
Strength
This is more important than you think. If you’re carrying your water bottle, tablet, your makeup and charger, the last thing you want is for the tote bag to break because it can’t handle the weight of your items. In this case, it’s important to remember that tote bags are made to manage varying weights. If the designer bag is made with strong, sturdy materials and has good stitching, it will hold its weight. If you buy a cotton tote bag on the other hand, it may not hold up for as long before it decides to give up.
Shape and Style
Tote bags come in more than just, long or wide. You can get a designer tote bag that is specially made to suit your personal needs. For example, if you have children, a maternity style tote is available with extra pockets. Or maybe, you just want a tote that is one step more unique, maybe it looks like it is compartmentalised, or maybe it looks like half a bucket bag and half a tote bag. This is the positive thing about shopping for designer brands: the styles are more varied due to the more exclusive nature of the bags.
Physical Weight
You may not have considered this; I know I’ve sometimes looked past this factor. But some tote bags have a noticeable weight. Now, you may think because tote bags look easy and breezy, that they’re light as well, but that’s not the case. Some leather bags can weigh almost half a kilo, depending on the weight of the hardware, and then you add stuff on the inside, and now it’s too heavy to handle. Even some cotton bags can be heavy if you’re not careful. This is why I recommend going in store to try the bag on, but if you’re buying online, just make sure to check the composition.
Composition Matters
You need to make sure you can manage the material the bag is made of. This is connected to the weight of the bag, but also the upkeep of the bag. If the bag is made of pure leather, you now have to make sure to treat the leather accordingly, especially if it ever gets water damage or you get caught in the rain. If you buy a canvas bag, you are now running the risk of damaging it externally just from accidentally spilling something on it. So, make sure to choose a material that is easy to handle within your lifestyle. And remember, lining matters too!
Simplicity Matters
There can be a huge difference between buying a simple tote bag versus a complicated one. By this we don’t mean colour or the outside of the bag. Sure, a neutral is easier to wear every day, and the cost per wear goes up, but also if you’re a vibrant person, you may want a vibrant bag. So long as you’re happy with it, it doesn’t matter what it looks like on the outside. No, I’m talking about the inside. Sometimes, a designer bag will have far too many compartments on the inside and if you’re in a hurry, you’ll never find what you need within 15 pockets, but you also won’t find what you’re looking for if there are zero pockets. So, make sure to consider the inside of the bag too.