How to buy the best tote bag?
The first thing to consider is what you’re planning to put in it. Measure your laptop or changing mat to make sure the dimensions are going to work. Secondly, think about your wardrobe and what style might go with most of your outfits. Leather is usually a no-brainer for bags, but as totes are on the large side, a leather bag can be heavy, especially when you consider all the weight will be on one shoulder. Check out nylon styles for a lighter option that doesn’t skimp on quality.
It’s also worth considering strap length – long handles make a tote more versatile as you can carry it by hand, by elbow or on your shoulder, as well as fitting it over winter coats. Many totes don’t have more than a single small pocket, so to maximise space, consider a bag organiser like this one to save excess rummaging.
What’s the best material for a tote bag?
Nylon makes for the lightest, most comfortable tote bags, while remaining practical and stylish.
What’s the best tote bag to buy?
Longchamp’s Le Pliage is the tote we like best as it combines size, lightness, style and quality, all in one neat, foldable package.
How we choose our recommendations
We’ve thoroughly researched the best tote bags you can buy this season including tried-and-tested bags from a wide range of honest, trusted sources. Here’s how we narrowed it down to our top picks.
Mumsnet community
When it comes to stylish and practical tote bags, Mumsnetters know a trusty carrier when they see (and use) one.
We first assessed all the recommendations from the Mumsnet community, getting feedback on the best tote bags they have personally used, reviewed and rated, including their favourite models, and must-have additional features. We also considered the reasons why Mumsnetters would avoid certain tote bags.
Expert opinions
We know that choosing the right tote bag takes a lot of thought and consideration, so we made sure our recommendations were well received within the bags and luggage industry, rated or recommended by travel experts and industry leaders.
Trusted consumer reviews
Finally, we scrutinised honest customer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon and John Lewis to get wider consumer opinions on the products on our shortlist. Through this research, we were able to weigh up the best tote bags for a variety of needs and gain a greater understanding of the pros and cons of each.
About the author
Laura Cooke is a Content Editor at Mumsnet, with a special focus on homeware and product reviews. She's a mum of two and lives in Sussex. Her work has been published in the Daily Mirror, the i, Metro, Stylist and Happiful magazine.
Laura started writing Swears By articles for Mumsnet in 2021 and has since written several buyer's guides and product reviews to help Mumsnetters make informed choices when it comes to parting with their pennies.
In her free time, Laura enjoys going to gigs, learning to play tennis and fish and chips by the seaside.
Why you should trust us
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