Toteme's T-Lock Handbag Is Fashion's Favourite for 2023

last updated 9 March 2024

I'm going to make a bold claim—if I could dress in one brand for the rest of the year, it would be Toteme. The Stockholm-based label has been dominating my feed for the best part of two years, with its perfect black ankle boots, striped knit and fringed scarf jacket becoming the closest thing to the official fashion-person uniform in the same space of time. With loyal fans amongst content creators and celebrities alike—Rosie Huntington-Whiteley being one of the first to start wearing it—you might ask, "What's all the fuss about?" Let me enlighten you.

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What I love most about Toteme is its slow approach to fashion. Founded by content creator Elin Kling in 2014, since its launch, its collections have never felt too tethered to a specific season, and the pieces stand the test of time in terms of passing trends. Instead, they're what could largely be described as "classic" with a refined colour palette that has been designed to layer and enhance the pieces you already own. Silhouettes are sleek, and embellishments are almost non-existent, the antithesis of the somewhat flashy brands that also launched around the same. Fast-forward to 2024, and Toteme's aesthetic hasn't just stood the test of time; it has informed a whole fashion movement. "Quiet luxury" has become something of a buzzword over the last year, and Toteme is right at its heart with its clothing, but what of accessories? Doesn't every It brand need an It bag to go with it? Sure does…

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At the end of 202, Toteme unveiled its foray into luxury handbags and predictably, it's starting to gain serious momentum. The minimal Toteme T-Lock bag is made from a beautifully soft leather that comes in black, tan, a mole grey and a milky white. Featuring a curved top flap, dual straps (short and long), and an understated T-shaped clasp (the perfect logo, in my opinion), which comes in gold or silver hardware. There's even a new mini clutch version which may just be the perfect evening bag. Amongst all the noise in the designer bag world, Toteme has earned itself a rightful place within the space, and the T-Lock is beginning to thrive. Even the queen of minimalist everyday dressing, Katie Holmes, has been spotted carrying her Toteme T-Lock bag not once, not twice, but three times running errands in NYC. And that's before we consider the sheer volume of times it has been shared on Instagram and TikTok. Make no mistake: This is the bag of 2024 and beyond.

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So, if you are in the market for a designer handbag that goes beyond fleeting trends and has the power to elevate whatever you wear it with, this might be it. Available in two sizes, I've assembled the entire collection of Toteme T-Lock handbags for you below.

Shop Toteme's T-Lock Bags:

Toteme

T-Lock Top Handle Black

Toteme

T-Lock Clutch Black

Toteme

T-Lock Top Handle Tan Grain

Toteme

T-Lock Clutch Tan Grain

Toteme

T-Lock Top Handle Black Grain

Toteme

T-Lock Clutch Black Grain

Toteme

T-Lock Top Handle Ash

Toteme

T-Lock Clutch Ash

Toteme

T-Lock Top Handle Milk Grain

Toteme

T-Lock Clutch Milk Grain

Toteme - INT

T-Lock Top Handle

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Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others. Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.