No matter how many small and ladylike handbags you own, the tote bag always stands on its own and it’s probably the bag you use the most. It holds all your ‘stuff’, it usually has lots of compartments so you can easily find what you need and it’s perfect for everything from days out to travel.
The other great factor about a new tote is that you don’t have to worry too much about fashion fads where colours are concerned. Look in your cupboard – you probably already have black and quite possibly tan or beige, so go for navy, or taupe or a printed tote such as Lancaster’s Icon print tote which comes in lots of different colours (and is exceptionally well priced).
The most useful tote bags are those that don’t weigh too much, that fulfill your every need from work to play and that’ll hold everything from cosmetics to iPad. If your new tote doesn’t come with it’s own mini pouch I recommend using a small cosmetics pouch so transferring from one bag to another needs the minimum of moves.