I’ve been slowly lugging more and more things to work, and thus over the last few months, have been looking to add a sturdy, low key tote to my bag rotation. My go to “big work bag” has historically been my 35 Birkin, but adding a laptop, Kindle, chargers, bottles of water, and more to the already palpable heft of a Birkin is my right arm’s definition of torture after carrying it around for ten minutes…and it isn’t that good for the bag, either.
Enter this great tote, which I bought a while ago and have already been utilizing for work and travel. It’s from Herschel – a brand that I was only vaguely familiar via the hipster video assistant in the office. I’m very pleased with the quality, and the best part is the price – $60!
The size of the tote is great – holds a TON and the dual shoulder straps are really comfortable. I’ve been going to Trader Joe’s frequently after work to pick up a few groceries on the way home, and I just dump them in without worry.
There are a few very useful pockets inside ,as well as a zip pocket out front- a much appreciated detail. I love my Longchamp “Le Pliage” and understand that its minimalism allows it to be folded super flat, but I’ve often wished for a zip or cell phone pocket inside.
And most importantly, especially for work and travel – the length and width are enough to comfortably hold my 13” Macbook Pro or Air inside with room to spare for a wallet, phone, water bottle, and more. The bottom is padded so there is some protection.
Herschel tote, Frye boots (review here)
Overall, I love my new Herschel tote and have been using it as a work beater carry all, as well as my carry-on “handbag” for travel (into which I stuff all kinds of other goodies, including another handbag). Light, easy to use and super under the radar, unlike le Birkin. If you’re looking for a casual canvas tote for work and/or traveling purposes, I’d highly recommend trying out one of these – they come in a bunch of fun colors and the price is very right, at an even $60.
Do you have a casual “beat around” tote that you use when lugging the kitchen sink around, or do you just use your regular bags?
16 Comments
Angie
November 20, 2013 at 8:23 amMy son has a Herschel backpack! I like this tote a lot, I wonder what he’d say if next week be matched with mom!
Katherine
November 20, 2013 at 12:12 pmLove that! Yes I’m not sure if Urban Outfitters shoppers will like matching with me but I still enjoy this bag!
Jill
November 20, 2013 at 11:52 amI am really loving my MZ Wallace “Hayley” bag in Draper tweed when I have to carry a ton of stuff. It’s big, has both a wide shoulder strap and a crossbody strap (both detachable), and has a lot of pocket options inside. I highly recommend MZ Wallace, their bags are great!
Katherine
November 20, 2013 at 12:28 pmThe Draper bag looks great (I just googled it!). I love the crossbody option too. Thank you for the recommendation.
Sybil
November 20, 2013 at 12:40 pmI rotate my canvas totes from “My Other Bag” collection. I also have a designated one for the gym. Love, love them and they are made in Los Angeles!
Anonymous
November 20, 2013 at 7:03 pmMay I ask where you purchased this bag? I clicked on the link, but the one sold at Nordstrom has a brown strap (the buckle one at the top). I prefer the one you have, with the black.
Katherine
November 20, 2013 at 9:52 pmHi! I found it at the Urban Outfitters in Berkeley, but couldn’t find the exact replica on the Urban website (that one also had the tan strap). However I think I found it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Herschel-Supply-Co-Market-Canvas/dp/B00B2F8SFG/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1385013056&sr=1-3-catcorr&keywords=herschel+market+tote
There is also one with a black rubber strap I found on Amazon which is at the $60 price, mine was priced at $60 at Urban but it was a return.
http://www.amazon.com/Herschel-Supply-Market-Tote-Print/dp/B00B2EBOBM
Anonymous
November 21, 2013 at 6:34 pmThanks Katherine!
Adele
November 20, 2013 at 10:20 pmLooks a great all-rounder! I have to admit I use my designer bags to carry all my stuff around. If I need something super sized I always reach for my 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli satchel.
Happy Thursday Katherine xoxo
http://www.intotheblonde.com/
Katherine
November 21, 2013 at 9:21 amI’ve always thought the Pashli looked like a super easy to use carry all!
TC
November 21, 2013 at 11:03 amI recently got back from Paris where I purchased a Longchamp Le Pliage tote. I had only brought my Birkin – stuffed full with clothes – but because I purchased a few presents, I needed an extra bag. What a revelation the Le Pliage was – incredibly light and easy to carry. It’s now in my travel repertoire. However, I found out that it is too light for everyday use for me. It does not sit on my shoulder securely because I don’t carry enough to weigh it down.
I usually use a crossbody (just replaced my 16 year-old custom Timbuk2 with an LLBean messenger), but I do have the LV Beaubourg which is the same shape as your Herschel. I like that it has a large zippered compartment and an outside pocket in addition to the usual LV pockets.
Katherine
November 21, 2013 at 9:27 pmHi T 🙂 Yes the Le Pliage is super useful, I almost always have one when I travel! How was your trip to Paris? I hope wonderful!
Marlene @ chocolatecookiesandcandies
November 21, 2013 at 1:00 pmI’m sure most men are mystified by their wives and girlfriends. We desire, hunt, stalk and buy our holy grails (bags) but on a daily basis, we still prefer our cheapo tote that we lug around everywhere. I swiped my Barbour tote (£40!) from my husband. That’s my go to bag.
Katherine
November 21, 2013 at 9:25 pmA Barbour tote sounds super practical!
Aimee
November 21, 2013 at 5:46 pmI use a Goyard. It’s pretty light and durable.
Katherine
November 21, 2013 at 9:24 pmI always admire Goyards, I worry thought that they will rip if I dump a laptop inside…have you tried that? Would love to hear more reviews on the Goyard totes.