The Marc Jacobs Tote Bag is a cult favourite amongst stylish fashionistas in all fashion corners of the earth. This It bag made a name for itself following its debut in 2019. In the first year of its release as many as 100,000 Tote Bags sold, but it has since dominated social media platforms for years – a force to be reckoned with.
Why is the tote bag so popular?
From the cool-girl book bag vibe to the practicality of the one compartment, top handle and crossbody strap – this one has it all. For your day-to-day bag, the office, travel or even for new mothers out there, the Tote Bag by Marc Jacobs can do no wrong.
Is Marc Jacobs cool?
Yes.
Was I immune to the obsessive cult following of this glorious bag?
No.
And here’s why. I am a self-confessed lover of designer bags. From the craftsmanship, the aesthetic, to the story of the brands themselves. I am obsessed.
Does my bank account enjoy my love for said bags?
Also no.
But here’s the thing. Investing in bags that are worth more save me a load of cash. Don’t believe me? There is a method to my madness, which I’m about to share. Let’s rewind a few years (or ten) back to see how my strategy formed.
My Fast Fashion Fad and Epiphany
Once upon a time I worked for a fast fashion brand that shall not be named (It starts with a Z and ends with an A. Four letters. You do the math). After only a few months of working there, I had easily accumulated a year’s worth of clothing.
As the months went on, my collection of clothing, shoes, bags and accessories grew. My wardrobe capacity, however, did not.
I had everything. I had all the things. All the dresses. All the shoes. All the bags. All the coats. So many coats. Nobody needs that many coats. No one.
I had everything, but my pay check (though to no ones fault but my own), and my sanity.
Why?
There were articles of clothing, left, right and centre.
I had but a humble wardrobe and chest of drawers to keep my treasures in, but this space was very quickly deemed inadequate. Granted, there were items that I wore religiously, but there were many that I threw on once, and that’s it.
The worst part? A good third of my collection still had tags, left in the back of my wardrobe, never to see the light of day again.
I couldn’t find anything and my clothes were constantly trying to escape the clutches of my wardrobe – and my anxiety levels were at an all time high.
I wasn’t helping myself, my mental health, my bank balance or the world around me. I read that a rubbish truck full of clothing finds its way to landfill every second.
And I was contributing to that.
I had to do something.
A quick Google search led me to the brilliance of capsule wardrobes. Minimalist ideals and theories shed by Marie Kondo. So, I channeled my inner Captain Planet and handed things down to friends and family, as well as to charity.
Now, for the sake of transparency, I am going to tell you that no, I unfortunately don’t have a 20-piece capsule wardrobe, however, my collection is now comprised of far fewer items that I wear on a long-term basis.
Those 55 bags are no more. I mean I had three oversized bags disguised as gym bags. Three. And I don’t even go to the gym.
Now, I’ve got a handful of bags that I love with my whole heart, and I’ve been using them for ages. I invest more money into those bags, wear them with complete joy, and know they have a great re-sale value should I have a change of heart.
It’s a win-win.
The Marc Jacobs Tote Bag: Trend or Cult Classic?
Back to the topic at hand. Is the Marc Jacobs Tote Bag a trend item? Well, if you define trend by totally taking the market by storm and being viral on social media platforms everywhere, then yes, it is a trend.
But this trend has been around since 2019, so for four years now, we’ve gotten on the bandwagon, taken a ride around the block, but we haven’t gotten off.
And it’s showing no signs of stopping.
It’s popularity can probably attest to the boom of interest that the Christian Dior Book Tote received when it was introduced in 2018. The world went completely mad for it (myself included). But only the fashion elite (myself not included) could afford it.
The Marc Jacobs Tote Bag is a brilliant designer alternative at a fraction of the cost. It comes in four sizes and a number of materials including canvas, felt, faux shearling, leather and towelling.
They say size doesn’t matter, but Marc Jacobs made sure all our needs are met. The Marc Jacobs Tote Bag size comparison goes something like this…
The Marc Jacobs Tote Bag Micro:
Height: 15cm
Width: 18cm
Depth: 10cm
The Marc Jacobs Tote Bag Mini:
Height: 21cm
Width: 26cm
Depth: 13cm
The Marc Jacobs Tote Bag Medium:
Height: 27cm
Width: 34cm
Depth:13cm
The Marc Jacobs Tote Bag Large:
Height: 34cm
Width: 42cm
Depth: 13cm
My ideal size, and the one I went for in both canvas and leather was the mini. As a business owner and mother, I cannot afford the luxury of lugging around my laptop all day long when I’m not in the office, which is often – thanks to said children.
That laptop is also not child friendly. Their penchant for having sticky fingers and throwing things doesn’t bode well for my professional treasure box and money maker.
Alternatively my iPad and its detachable keyboard comfortably fit inside the Mini Tote Bag, along with wet wipes, nappies (or diapers for you US folk), wallet, phone and other few essentials I might need to survive the day.
Now to the review.
The Canvas Marc Jacobs Tote Bag Mini Review
As soon as I laid my eyes on that blue canvas tote, I was head over heels – and I don’t even wear heels. It spoke to me over the monitor and sent me into a trance before you could say “maybe take a second to think about it, Marija?”
No, it had to be mine.
Purchased in September of 2021 (on sale – hurrah), I was breathlessly waiting for the delivery of the bag of my dreams. You might be wondering, where can I buy a Marc Jacobs Tote Bag? I found my canvas mini on Farfetch. Delivered straight to my door. No worries, no hassles - golden.
Keeping my bags preserved was key so I was asking myself does the Marc Jacobs Tote Bag come with a dust bag? It sure does. Phew.
The colour, while not exactly what you’d call a neutral would mesh well with my newly reformed wardrobe.
Perfect.
When it did arrive, it was just as great as I’d imagined. Not too big and not too small, one compartment to fit it all.
The canvas, made of 100% cotton was sturdy, yet light and airy compared to other bags of the same size that felt like they were dragging me to Dante’s inferno.
It was pretty. It was practical. It was love.
Seriously, if you have to run out of the car in the middle of traffic to check out a perfect window display? Grab it by the top handles. Juggling two children while racing against the clock for a doctors appointment? Throw it on crossbody.
There was nothing this Marc Jacobs Mini Tote Bag could not do.
It was everything I thought it would be – until it wasn’t. While I will admit that I wore it pretty much daily for a whole year, that’s exactly how long it lasted.
Just one year on, I noticed how the material of the canvas had faded, particularly on the top handles. They were now a slightly gross blueish-yellow hue. Absolutely not cute at all.
I ignored it for a while until I just couldn’t bear the shame of it any longer.
It had to go.
The Leather Marc Jacobs Tote Bag Mini Review
In all my doom and gloom I was adamant to find a good replacement. I searched online for months, while begrudgingly replacing it temporarily with one of my old, albeit smaller bags.
It felt claustrophobic and I couldn’t fit everything inside. I needed to get out of that situation – fast.
There were a few noble contenders that I seriously considered and then, one day, while browsing through Vestiaire Collective, my favourite one-stop sustainable online shop, I came across the Marc Jacobs leather Tote Bag Mini in black.
With my faith in the handbag gods reaffirmed, I once again waited for the delivery man in earnest.
While slightly heavier than the canvas Tote Bag, it is in fact more durable. Although only having it in my possession for a few months, I can tell we’re going to enjoy a long relationship.
Fit for the office, it can take my iPad, notebook, wallet, small makeup bag, phone, keys and other small items.
On the weekends it accompanies me to the park with the little kiddos, and will carry toys, water bottles, nappies, and wet wipes.
Travelling is made simple with one compartment to rule them all, and a secure zip along the top that so many tote bags forget to include. Bliss.
Marc Jacobs Tote Bag Leather Slays All Day Long
Look, I know it’s not a style suited to everyone, but the Tote Bag is a versatile choice at its core, and I believe this is one of the big reasons for its popularity.
While I would recommend that everyone who likes this style to purchase it, I would also warn you to think twice about the Marc Jacobs Tote Bag in canvas.
The darker the colour, the faster the fading will inevitably occur. The bits of fleece that come onto to the fabric are also more noticeable in those hues. If you’re about to hit add to cart on a neutral tone, I’d say to watch out for dirt and grime on the bottom and the back of the bag, and the top handles too.
The leather version for me is the clear winner here, granted, of course, that you take care of it.
But seriously, buy it.
It will almost be the only bag you’ll need in life.
Almost.
Love you,
M.
xx