If there’s one bag you’ve probably noticed on your daily commute, in every coffee shop, and all over your Instagram feed, it’s the iconic Marc Jacobs The Tote Bag.
Despite being a little overplayed, this bag is a modern classic for a reason. It’s extremely durable, roomy, and comes in just about every size, color, or material you could want. No matter your need or style, there’s a tote bag that’s perfect for you!
But does it actually live up to the hype? Let’s dig in:
Material
The Tote Bag comes in several different materials, but only two are consistently in production: leather and canvas. Every year, Marc Jacobs will release the tote in other fun, seasonal materials, like the fleece-lined leather version above!
As expected, the leather tote bag is more durable (and expensive) than its canvas counterpart. However, the canvas version is washable. If that’s important to you, it’s worth taking into consideration.
Sizes & Dimensions
The Marc Jacobs Tote Bag comes in 3 standard sizes: Small, Medium, and Large. The canvas version of the tote comes in an additional size: Crossbody. Both versions of the bag were also formerly sold in the Micro size, which has since been discontinued.
- Crossbody – 7″ x 4″ x 6″
- Small – 10″ x 5″ x 8″
- Medium – 13″ x 6″ x 11″
- Large – 17″ x 6″ x 13″
Features
Each Marc Jacobs The Tote Bag is outfitted with a removable strap, allowing it to be worn as a crossbody or shoulder bag if desired. I find that wearing the Small tote bag with its strap is very practical. However, wearing the Medium or Large bags with their straps feels awkward as both bags tend to be heavy when full. Instead, I prefer to carry the larger size totes by their handles.
Want to protect your electronics and other valuables? That’s easy enough to do as the contents of the bag are protected by a zipper! There is also a small, interior zippered compartment that is large enough to store your ID and a few credit cards for quick access.
Colors
Both the leather and canvas versions of The Tote Bag come in black and beige as well as a wide variety of seasonal colors and patterns. Seasonal color availability varies based on the store and time of year. If you can’t find your desired color at a particular retailer, it’s likely that another retailer or even the Marc Jacobs website has it in stock.
Price
The price for Marc Jacobs The Tote Bags varies based on the size and material. Materials such as canvas and teddy/sherpa bags are cheaper while leather bags are more costly. Naturally, smaller bags are less expensive than their larger counterparts.
A comprehensive price chart is as follows. Please note that this chart only includes “standard” tote bags, not limited edition or seasonal styles.
Overall Impressions
Ever since purchasing my first Marc Jacobs Tote, I’ve been obsessed- so obsessed, I purchased three more!
The Tote Bag is the ultimate practical daily carry, but I personally prefer it as a travel companion. I love how much I can fit in my medium and large bags on long flights- two paperback books, my Kindle, multiple pairs of sunglasses, my travel documents, medications, and more! While I could theoretically fit my laptop in my large tote, I always pack both in a separate backpack and reserve my totes for items I want to have quick access to.
While they don’t make as many appearances on my Instagram feed as some of my other handbags, my Medium tote bags are some of my most frequently used bags. In addition to using them when I travel, they also come in handy to haul my iPad back and forth from Dungeons & Dragons campaigns as well as to pack my Kindle or a paperback when I have an appointment that requires a lot of waiting.
On the other hand, I don’t get a lot of use out of my Small tote. While the vibrant blue color is adorable, the bag is slightly too small for my needs. It doesn’t quite fit everything I like to pack when flying. I can awkwardly shove my iPad into it, but it doesn’t fit comfortably. I can see why the Small would be a great choice for other people, but it isn’t the best choice for me.
One of the top reasons I love my Marc Jacobs Tote Bags are their amazing quality. No matter what type of tote bag you purchase, know that it’s a sturdy, durable bag that will last you for years. I’ve put my bags through the ringer over the past several years since buying them. All have come on several flights with me, in addition to errands, date nights, and more! My three leather bags look brand new. My mesh bag does show some signs of wear, but since mesh is not as durable of a material as leather, that isn’t unexpected.
While the canvas totes are popular and accessible, they’re not my personal cup of tea. The leather styles can be dressed up or down, making them more versatile. While the canvas totes are adorable and just as high quality as the leather ones, they have a more casual look. Also, I own several canvas totes that cost $20 or less. It’s hard for me to pay designer prices for a bag when there are so many more affordable, similar options.
If you’re looking to save money when purchasing a Marc Jacobs Tote Bag, look for the bag during seasonal sales at big department stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, and Neiman Marcus. Be careful when purchasing from resellers on apps like Poshmark and Mercari! There are a LOT of fakes on resale platforms. Since the bags are priced lower than the platforms’ authentication limits, a lot of resellers take advantage and sell replicas.
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