From Loewe to Khaite, These Are the It Designer Tote Bags to Know

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(Image credit: @elizagracehuber)

Whether you're heading out on a long weekend and want to pack everything into one big bag, going to the office and need a carryall for your laptop and things to get you through the day, or simply looking for a spacious bag for everyday wear, a tote bag is the answer. While there are a range of styles and price points, I'm here to draw attention to the best designer tote bags currently on the market that every cool fashion person is wearing.

Nearly every designer has their own version, so there is a robust range of styles to choose from. Styles such as the Hermès Birkin are iconic classics that will forever stand the test of time. Other designs, including The Row's Margaux, Khaite's Lotus, and Bottega's Andiamo, are newer but already carving themselves out as cult classics. Ahead, see the best designer tote bags to add to your closet.

1. Khaite Lotus Tote

If a roomy bag that doesn't compromise style or look like a regular tote bag is what you need, look no further than Khaite's Lotus Tote. The sculptural shape of the bag was inspired by the fluidity of a scarf and is made from Italian soft suede. While I'd recommend this as more of an everyday bag that can fit your stash of essentials, the width of the bag is 19.7 inches, so it can fit a laptop or tablet if needed.

2. The Row Margaux 15 Buckled Leather Tote

If you're willing to invest, The Row's Margaux bag is one you'll keep for life. It's structured, but the leather and suede still have flexibility and softness. The design is minimal but looks incredibly polished. Neelam Ahooja, also known as an expert on The Row, recommends the black pebbled-leather option, explaining in her review that the care requirements are much easier than the suede ones. In terms of sizing, she also says that the 15 is easier in size for everyday wear. 

3. Bottega Veneta Andiamo Tote Bag

Not only is Bottega Veneta's Andiamo Bag one of the It bags of the year (as seen on Jacob Elordi and Kylie Jenner), but I've also been told by a few editor friends who have purchased it that their reasoning for the splurge was that it's one of the most practical designer bags they've come across. The brand's Jodie and Sardine bags may be aesthetically beautiful, but the Andiamo is the one that's going to get maximum wear and be able to hold all of your necessities. 

4. Prada Re-Nylon Tote Bag

Made from recycled nylon, Prada's tote bag offers an element of durability that other suede and leather options can't. As someone who tends to throw around their work bag, I knew this was the better option for me. Since Prada's Nylon was first introduced in the '80s and remained popular in the 2000s, you can also find plenty of options at a cheaper price point on secondhand sites, which is the route I took for my bag.

5. Loewe Puzzle Fold Convertible Large Leather Tote

For those who like to be heavily prepared while traveling, Loewe's Puzzle Tote is crafted from soft leather that has origami-style folds, making it packable and easy to fold down in your luggage.

6. Métier Private Eye Tote

Two of our NYC editors use Métier bags as their work totes, and I've seen firsthand the incredible amount of stuff they can fit into their bags. Despite how much they're schlepping around, they always look undeniably chic.

7. Saint Laurent Icare Tote

When Zoë Kravitz and Hailey Bieber were spotted carrying this larger-than-life bag this past year, everyone was intrigued. The bag has snaps on the side, so if needed, it can be snapped off to expand and create even more space for your items. 

8. Loewe Leather-Trimmed Woven Raffia Tote

If you're planning a warm-weather vacation amid the current cold weather, a raffia tote like this should be the first thing you pack. 

9. Dior Oblique Embroidered Dior Book Tote

While the options from The Row and Khaite in this roundup are made for those with a more minimalist and low-key aesthetic, this iconic Dior logo tote is for the ones who aren't afraid of a little loud luxury.

10. Tory Burch Ella Tote

Tory Burch is currently the talk of the town, and I'm on board with every piece that comes from each new collection. Our editor Eliza Huber recently did an in-depth try-on with the brand and sang nothing but high praises for the spacious tote. Reviewers seem to agree, writing that the bag feels like true luxury despite the more contemporary price point. One wrote, "This may sound silly, but this bag is hardy. It's been my work bag, carry-on bag, errands bag. After all of this, it shows no signs of wear."

11. The Row N/S Park Tote

Offered in small, medium, and large iterations, The Row's N/S Park Tote is the ultimate understated handbag. Opt for small if you only need your daily essentials, but the large size is fit for travel or work. Crafted from textured leather, the bag feels soft to the touch and flexible but still holds its bucket shape. 

12. Ferragamo Studio Tote

This tote has a unique shape, but it's not over-the-top. Ferragamo's tote bag comes in both L and XL sizes. It also comes in a variety of beautiful shades, from a striking red and yellow to neutrals like camel and midnight blue.

13. Khaite Amelia Tote

Raffia bags look great but tend to mostly be worn during the summer months. With the combo, this Khaite bag offers a more trend-forward element while still being versatile enough to wear year-round.

14. Saint Laurent Le 5 à 7 Supple Small Suede Tote

If the Saint Laurent shopping tote is too big for your everyday endeavors, this smaller suede bag fits your phone, wallet, sunglasses, and other essentials. It still features the classic logo but is more subdued with a gold-tone plaque. 

15. Dragon Diffusion Nantucket Bag

Channel your inner Jane Birkin with a basket bag as your accessory of choice. By using traditional basket-weaving techniques with supple leather, Dragon Diffusion is able to combine the casual elements of a basket or woven bag with the luxurious look and feel of leather.

16. Hereu Calella Tote

Everyone has a few random canvas tote bags lying around, but this Hereu bag is a more luxurious version you'll gladly wear all the time. It's simple, but with its leather trim and geometric shape, it's still interesting. Plus, it's under $550, a lot less costly than many of the bags featured here.

17. Alaïa Mina Tote Bag

If your priorities are more focused on design than function, this Alaïa bag is a gem that deserves a spot in your wardrobe. The intricate leather cutouts are inspired by the look of lace, and it comes with a detachable leather pouch.

18. Longchamp Le Pliage Tote

Longchamp's Le Pliage was the celebrity It bag in the 2010s, but despite the trend cycle, people aren't letting their trusty bag go. I still own mine from college, and there's not a mark or scratch on it. If that's not enough to convince you, the almost 2000 reviews for the bag on Nordstrom and five-star rating should do the trick. 

This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.