As the head of marketing for a Fortune 1,000 company, I always wanted to look “put together”– that was my “brand”. But as I was heading into a career break I was entering a new, less structured chapter. In my mind, this would be characterized by lunch meetings, the occasional interview, working from coffee shops and on-the-go. I knew it was time to rethink my work bag — I was on the hunt for a bag that could reflect this new chapter. After some searching, I found the Cuyana to have the perfect bag.
First, A Review Of The Dagne Dover Signature Tote
For the past seven years, my work bag of choice was the Dagne Dover Signature Tote in the color “Bleeker Blush”. Honestly, it was perfect for me. It was a good healthy size, big enough to hold a laptop, some papers and even the occasional pair of shoes. It was professional, very sharp looking and could easily go from work to dinner and drinks. I would not, however, use it on the weekends. It was strictly a work bag.
One thing that is important to pay attention to is “handle drop”, which is essential to looking good and being comfortable to use. At 9”, this handle drop was just right to hold down at your side or over the shoulder, even with a winter coat. The other great feature of these handles is that they stand up when you put the bag down. I hate a floppy handle that you have to fish around for – this adds to the more structured look of the bag.
The material of the body of the bag is coated canvas so it has a nice texture, scuff resistant and wipes clean. The handles are made of vegan leather. Overall, it’s a very sharp bag that held up extremely well. Toward the end of its lifecycle, the trim on the handles started to pull apart, but the rest of the bag continued to look great.
If you’re looking for a great work bag, I highly recommend the Dagne Dover Signature Tote. And at the $255 price point, it’s a great value and will be an investment in looking professional and sharp. They also make a slightly larger version, called the “Legend”, which sells for $275.
On The Hunt For A More Flexible, Casual Bag
As I approached this career break and embraced my less structured, on-the-go persona,I knew it was time for a new bag. As much as I wanted to be less structured, I knew an bucket-type bag could be a “black hole”. I also wanted to be able to use this bag 7 days a week. So, it needed to look very professional for an interview and great for shopping or dinner out.
An Honest Review – Why Cuyana is the Perfect Bag
I had seen the Cuyana System Tote show up in my feed (was Instagram reading my mind…or my searches??). I really liked the stylish, minimalist look of it. You can add to the “system” with a snap-in laptop sleeve, zipper pouch, etc. They have both a 13-inch and a 16-inch version. The smaller one would be closer to the size of my Dagne Dover, but this new adventure I was about to embark on might require an oversized tote. I was torn.
As luck would have it, I had a trip planned to New York for some meetings. I planned to use the down time between meetings to run to the Cuyana store at 29 Prince Street. In order to determine if this would be the perfect size bag for this period in my life. I wanted to touch, feel it.
I walked into the gorgeous, calm showroom and was surrounded by beautiful leather goods and clothing. All of it felt like pure luxury – and at relatively accessible price points.
Once in the store I saw other bags that looked great – all with clean lines and a minimalist vibe. While I was momentarily drawn to a few others, I re-directed myself to the System Tote. I decided on the medium 13” System Tote in pebbled leather in the color Stone. It’s also available in a “Crock Embossed” leather which was beautiful and elegant, but not the look I was going for. This Cuyana tote truly is the perfect bag.
Color Advice For Bags and Shoes
While black is a logical choice, I have always found that a bone/beige/taupe color will look a little more stylish. Black is the safe color. Bone is still a neutral color and will telegraph that you’re comfortable taking calculated risks. You don’t go for the obvious, safe choice. Some would argue that bone is not a bold choice (it even sounds a little ridiculous as I write it). But, when we only have so much disposable income and investing in a piece that will be a staple in your wardrobe – I argue that not going with black can feel like a risk. Try it, wear it with confidence and I promise you will get compliments.
I can highly recommend both of these bags. They are a bit of an investment (you are worth it!) and they will serve you well for years to come – no matter what color you choose.
WETSU! WETSU!
XO JT
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