19

Totes Perfect

longchamp le pliage tote

While cruising through the airport last week with my daily satchel stuffed so full it couldn’t zip shut, I had a realization. I need a flipping simple, roomy tote for traveling. I mean, it’s kind of ridiculous how I continually attempt to stuff everything I own into a bag that isn’t meant for traveling around the country, and considering I’m leaving for South America in a few weeks, I need something now.

So, I did what I always do, and asked my Facebook page for recommendations, and boy, did they fly in. A favorite? The Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote. What a super versatile bag by a lovely brand, you guys. And the best part….the large size is $145. Not too shabby.

Some of the pros mentioned about this tote were that it’s classic, lasts forever, super lightweight, sturdy, roomy, and fits nicely on the shoulder. There were some cons mentioned too, such as the bag not having dividers (everything gets jumbled) and it doesn’t offer protection for a laptop so you need to have a laptop sleeve. I keep my laptop in a sleeve, and also use clear dividers by Truffle for organization so it shouldn’t be an issue. (I wrote about Truffle here.)

Some other totes mentioned were the OG and OMG by Lo & Sons (the 2nd most mentioned), nylon totes by Kate Spade, Rough & Tumble totes, the Twill Tote by Everlane, the Hailey Tote by LeSportsac, and the O’Hare Tote Bag by Want.

What tote do you use for travel? Do tell.

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19 comments
  1. HJM

    January 28, 2015 at 9:26 am

    I’ve heard that the OG by Lo & Sons is awesome. I think your link for it leads to the Everlane tote, though.

    • whoorl

      January 28, 2015 at 12:27 pm

      Fixed it – thank you for telling me!

  2. Lisa

    January 28, 2015 at 9:35 am

    Love my Longchamps! If you spot the expandable tote in the Nordstrom Anniversary sale BUY IT! It sells out every year, but it the perfect travel bag. A bit smaller than the large tote, but sturdier bottom and expandable middle zipper for bringing goodies home.
    http://www.bagbliss.com/designer/chloe-purse/nordstrom-anniversary-sale/

    • whoorl

      January 28, 2015 at 12:27 pm

      Oh, I’m on it. Thanks, Lisa!

  3. Lindsey

    January 28, 2015 at 9:52 am

    I love my Herve Chapelier shopper tote – I’ve been using one for work for YEARS and I stuff them full / am super hard on them. They also don’t have dividers and just one inside pocket, but with a laptop sleeve, I’ve found it manageable.

    I use the medium size, and I can usually fit laptop, charger, water bottle, all papers/pens/wallet/umbrella, kindle, sometimes shoes, sometimes lunch… I am cruel to this bag and it keeps on giving.

    http://www.hervechapelier.com/EN/shopping-bag-square-base-with-basic-shape-size-m–1028N.aspx

    I also have an Olive & Joy tote that I got at TJ Maxx for pretty cheap – it’s also roomy, with way more pockets, but the handles broke after just a few weeks. I took the bag to a shoe repair place to have them reinforced, and since then it’s been good.

    http://www.oliviaandjoy.com/bags

  4. Joanna

    January 28, 2015 at 11:11 am

    If anyone’s looking for a budget version, Lands End has a nylon note for $78 and they often have sales. Not sure how the dimensions compare though.

    http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-edgewater-convertible-tote/id_279097?sku_0=::35Z

    • whoorl

      January 28, 2015 at 12:28 pm

      Awesome – thanks for the info!

  5. Joanna

    January 28, 2015 at 11:13 am

    Just checked – lands end tote is almost identically sized.

  6. claudia098

    January 28, 2015 at 12:19 pm

    I just bought the Hayden-Harnett Ibiza bag. Free shipping and 30% off their sale price made this baby only $75. It’s gorgeous too.
    http://www.haydenharnett.com/product.html?style=IBIZARED

  7. Heather D.

    January 28, 2015 at 12:21 pm

    Longchamp for sure. I love mine and it’s perfect for travel!

  8. Elizabeth

    January 29, 2015 at 1:26 pm

    I too loved the Longchamp bag BUT….I used it as a daily work tote. Nothing too heavy(wallet, phone,book lunch bag maybe a pair of shoes). Purchased in May and by October the corners had worn through.
    Bummer. so happy I purchased from Nordstrom as they refunded my money right away. AND said its not unusual for this to happen (?)
    Oh well…

  9. Shay

    January 29, 2015 at 5:13 pm

    Love the OG – roomy, lots of compartments…perfect for laptop, e-reader, SLR camera, snacks, pashmina, socks….

  10. Katie

    January 29, 2015 at 8:00 pm

    I am loving the Rough & Tumble!

  11. Melissa S.

    January 30, 2015 at 12:53 am

    Check out Cuyana bags. Gorgeous!

    http://www.cuyana.com/categories/bags.html

    • whoorl

      February 1, 2015 at 2:30 pm

      Those are GORGEOUS.

  12. Nicole

    January 31, 2015 at 1:33 pm

    My daily bag. I love that you can fold it up origami style and wipe it down with damn cloth. Plus it’s so French chique:)

    • Nicole

      January 31, 2015 at 1:50 pm

      Damp cloth. Not Damn cloth. Omg.

      • whoorl

        February 1, 2015 at 2:29 pm

        Haha!

  13. Olivia

    February 3, 2015 at 11:13 am

    A canvas backpack that cost $15. It has a small pocket on the front and elastic pockets on the side for water bottles. Plus hands free in airport is a must.