Which tote bag for £200?

[lechatnoir]

I've got £200 budget for a new tote/shopper and prefer not black or white and a reasonable size. have found these or open to suggestion including 2nd hand if they can be authenticated as I don't want a dodgy rip-off!
LK Bennett drawstring Amber
Green Kate Spade tote
Barbour brown leather tote

any suggestions or thoughts on the above?

Of the 3 bags in the original OP, I prefer the first two.

I don’t like the third one at all. It looks old fashioned and boring to me.

I kind of like plain things I guess. but I get its very plain

the Aspinal tote is lovely. I love the burgundy

I like the Kate Spade & LK Bennett ones but not the Barbour. This Osprey one is also nice - but you'd said not white, which I assumed was because it would mark/stain more easily? This colour probably would be prone to marking too?

Also, you said you didn't want black but that you wear black plus colours, & have a red coat & jumper you wear a lot? If you're getting ONE tote bag that's meant to go with everything, then green or coral would be as likely to clash as to match/tone with different outfits?

Not sure what colour your footwear usually is, or what other colours feature in your wardrobe? Would tan be a good alternative to black or navy? It goes well with reds, black, green etc.

Personally, I always love coloured tote bags, but I can't be arsed swapping everyday bags around - so end up getting black because it's simply the best option for me ... However, I always try to find one that has something a little bit different about it, so that it's not too dull (I'm afraid I find Strathberry bags & the like almost all too boring ...). Something such as a coloured lining, or underside of the strap - or details added by the hardware such as a little bit of studding. Or even a textured/patent leather detail if that's your style (too formal for me these days).

I love Brics bags and would probably go for this one https://www.bricsmilano.com/en-gb/products/volterra-medium-opera-bag-boo05852

Bear in mind I've not seen (or felt! That's important to me too) any of the following in the flesh. But in line with your budget, how about:

https://www.stories.com/en-gb/product/interwoven-leather-tote-bag-black-1290983004/

It comes in black or tan, both of which I like, & I think it's a good size, plus the weave makes it more interesting than plain leather while still being classic. It's also right on budget ...

I've had bags from Whistles before & always rated as looking more expensive than they cost, plus lasting really well.

This is a wee bit below your budget (plus 15% off if you sign up). Black but the stitching lifts it. Quite big - but then I love oversized bags! I also think a bag on the bigger side will look more modern & less "timid" than the Barbour/Strathberry types.

https://www.whistles.com/product/kamil-tote-bag-39804.html

Not sure if photos came through first time.

I really like the look of this Jaeger one (also a bit under your budget). I like the raised seam detail on the handles - plus the way the side ties let you pull it in to make it smaller/less square-shaped. It looks bigger on the model than it really is.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/leather-tote-bag/p/clp60733027?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

This is it in tan as well (though I'd prefer the tan of the & Other Stories bag as this is a bit too "baby's nappy" for my liking!). But it shows the tie-side options.

Another nice tan one from Jigsaw within budget - though it's suede, which I'm a bit wary about for everyday use, even with protector.

https://www.jigsaw-online.com/products/heckfield-suede-tote-chocolate

I tried the kate spade one on in john lewis today, its lovely really caught my eye, great design. I did notice that its very light so im not sure how durable it would be

I’ve pinned my colours to a bright red tote from Elvis & Kresse: goes with everything/matches nothing, and wears as robustly as you’d expect recycled firehoses to!

If you’d like to go for a small business and sustainable but stylish these are great:

https://loftsomerset.com/collections/totes

Forgot to include a photo!

As you said you didn't mind pre owned Vestiaire is worth a look as you can pay an extra £15 for authentication. I bought a lovely red Mulberry Red Dorset tote some time ago and had it authenticated and it was an efficient service. They have lots of totes at you price point - I quite liked this one https://www.vestiairecollective.com/women-bags/handbags/tory-burch/camel-leather-tory-burch-handbag-60905409.shtml

have you thought about looking at pre-loved? You may get a nice Mulberry for your budget and the older styles are real work horses

Massimo Dutti's bags are usually very good quality. This one is a great classic shape, & comes in a reddish-brown or tannish-beige as well as black. A bit over budget though, even reduced from £349. Unfortunately sold out right now (probably because it's in the sale) but worth checking on?

https://www.massimodutti.com/gb/maxi-nappa-leather-md-icon-tote-bag-l06982602

This MZ Wallace is a fabulous bag. I got a two-tone recently and love it.

https://www.mzwallace.com/en-gb/products/dawn-medium-metro-tote-deluxe-ii

I personally preferred the brown and green ones,
The coral coloured one, I think unless you like an absolute contrast of handbag if you are say wearing a darker coloured coat would be more for warmer weather
But it is all up to you
Have fun choosing

Of your 3 originals I’d pick the Barbour. But there’s something clunky about the clasp. The LK Bennett bag is quite lurid.

The styles you are considering are very different. What do you need from this bag? I like a drawstring bag for looks but they’re not that practical in terms of security or access. The hobo from osprey looks like it would hold a lot less… it’s also not to my taste but ultimately it’s you who will be wearing it.

I’ve attached a selection of traditional totes that I think are more classic (and better quality) than your pics. Some are 10% more than your budget 🤷‍♀️ Be interesting to hear what you finally pick!

Oh god why did i click on this thread 😭 I need to unsee these beautiful bags.

What about this? £25 over budget but a bargain https://www.flannels.com/longchamp-leather-tote-bag-747594?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=22206814024&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&cq_con=&cq_med=pla&cq_pos=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22196645169&gbraid=0AAAAA9YKf-RHojbLZ4Qcz_UoDXFYBdxj5&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9sOV3IfmkQMVYaNQBh0_Rg6jEAQYHSABEgJ7D_D_BwE#colcode=74759405

I bought DD a different Barbour bag, and have to say the quality and finish are superb. And she absolutely adores it. (success!!)
In the shop I did look at this one but preferred a different one. The laptop section has straps that popper the laptop section shut over the laptop (so it couldn't be nicked out of the bag)

https://www.theleatherstoreuk.com/totes

I have a tote from here and it is beautiful.