This weekend, the New York Times published an article deeming inexpensive – and often giveaway – canvas totes as the price-efficient and eco-conscious replacement for our luxury “It” bags. Quite an interesting article, but do you think it’s accurate?
I love my Alexander McQueen canvas bag, courtesy of the Met’s exhibit; Lauren Bush’s FEED bag; and the one that started it all, Anya Hindmarch’s “I’m Not a Plastic Bag” and use them for the gym, running errands, and packing for picnics. But will they replace my beloved bags? An emphatic no. For day, it’s convenient to toss things in a tote you don’t have to think about, but I’m certainly not going to lug it to a luncheon or cocktail party (and I doubt any of the women they interviewed would either). Where do you carry your canvas tote? In honor of this article, our top choices for the most basic of bags:
1) Metropolitan Museum of New York Costume Institute’s Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty Tote: Art, couture, and practicality come together in one basic black tote. A down-to-earth way to show off your love of all things McQueen.
Sold out at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
2) Fashion’s Night Out Tote: The anti-bag for the fashion-lover, Fashion Night Out’s neon-trimmed bag goes towards a good cause. Forty-percent of proceeds are donated to the New York City AIDS Fund.
On
ShopBop for $25 (from $50).
3) Tibi Heart Tote: A uniquely round shape makes this sweet, illustrative tote more special than most. The designer’s delineations of stylish girls add to the edge. And it doesn’t get any greener than un-dyed and recycled canvas.
At Tibi for $30.
4) Fieldguided Vu De L’Exterieur Tote: Let’s be honest: French signage makes everything un petit peu chicer. This basic black bag pays homage to Serge Gainsbourg by replicating one of his record covers. It doesn’t hurt that daughter Charlotte is a current Balenciaga muse.
At Need Supply Co. for $25.
5) Anya Hindmarch Large Canvas Market Tote: To market, to market! From the woman who started it all, a roomy tote that makes no mistake about its intended purpose, running errands and stocking up. This says it all: take your tote shopping and not much further!
At Saks Fifth Avenue for $150.
That Tibi tote is super cute! I own some great canvas totes from J. Crew, Gap and Rachel Roy.