When Marc Jacobs named his tote " The Tote Bag," it wasn't just a stroke of brand genius, it was a prophecy. Since its launch in 2019, this square accessory has quickly become a classic handbag and has gained a legion of loyal fans.
Other traditional bags have decades-old seams. Handbags, by comparison, are actually in their infancy. However, it has amassed an impressive roster of endorsers—everyone in Hollywood, fashion, music, and reality TV has given its stamp of approval to the bag (Kendall Jenner, SZA, Kim Kardashian, Emily Ratajkowski, and more).
Marissa Galante Frank, fashion director of beauty and accessories at Bloomingdale's, said the bag's appeal lies in its simple practicality. "The bag appeals to a wide range of customers, from students using it as a laptop to moms using it as a baby carrier," she tells Bustle. "This tote is so versatile. I see people wearing this everywhere; from the office to the plane to the beach."
Just five years after its launch, The Tote has become one of the most famous handbags.
The luxury history of handbags
Jacobs launched his line in 1984, but it wasn't until 2001 that he added bags to the mix. Like his contemporaries, his handbag iterations include soft leather options, sequined embroidery and military-inspired details.
By the 2010s, the brand began experimenting with a variety of handbag styles: the trapezoid Editor Tote, the Little Big Shot Tote and the square Grind Tote. However, a major simplification of the tote bag occurred in 2019, with the release of The Tote.
While the name is intentionally generic, the new bag gains a more distinct identity. It's boxy and well-constructed, but also roomy - perfect for accommodating a variety of daily essentials. Its straightforward "THE TOTE BAG" label would become the brand's signature, eventually extending to the brand's other products such as The Bucket, The Duffel and The Sack.
Frank calls the bag "the perfect blend of style and function" that embodies the brand's sensibility. “The thick top zipper gives the bag a bit of an edge, which is very much in line with Marc Jacobs’ DNA.”
Naturally, celebrities love handbags
Since its inception, the bag has become a go-to choice for street style stars and celebrities, and has a host of A-list endorsers. Marc Jacobs has even managed to bag two members of the Kardashian/Jenner family: Kendall Jenner and Kim Kardashian, a feat that few fashion brands have been able to accomplish.
Kardashian has starred in two separate advertising campaigns for Marc Jacobs, both using iterations of The Tote bag. In one piece, she went for a crystal-encrusted style, completely in keeping with the SKIMS mogul's brand.
At another event, she held up a gray leather handbag.
Another supermodel became the face of bags at one point: Emily Ratajkowski. She debuts two monogrammed versions in her Spring/Summer 2023 campaign.
As Jacobs is wont to do, the designer expanded his reach beyond fashionable teenage girls. SZA represented the music industry in a bright orange-red leather tote that matched her monogram T-shirt.
His influence even extends to the Bravoverse, with former "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Lisa Rinna and daughter Amelia Gray carrying bags. Frank calls the Tote "an it bag that spans generations," and this mother-daughter campaign is simple proof of that.
Wait, how much does this tote cost? !
The bag comes in four sizes, depending on your carrying needs: crossbody, small, medium and large. It is also divided into five main categories: canvas, leather, jacquard, denim and seasonal fabrics (mesh, teddy, glossy leather and rattan).
"Marc Jacobs does a great job updating and improving its handbags every season," Frank said, making it a favorite among Bloomingdale's shoppers. "Our customers have been loving this bag with its fresh prints and craftsmanship. Denim and camo have been top styles."
The bag is so popular with shoppers that Bloomingdales made the mesh style the star item on its camp-themed summer carousel. "Mesh is a major trend in accessories," says Frank. “It is transparent, water-friendly and fully packable,” adding to its practicality.
As the brand continues to introduce new styles, customers keep coming back. However, the price point is also undeniably attractive. Unlike other designer bags that sell for thousands of dollars, shoppers can purchase totes for as low as $175 (small canvas style) and $595 (large leather style).
Marc Jacobs Mesh Medium Tote Bloomingdale's
