Tiny handbags, be damned – this season is all about bold totes that are big enough to carry your entire life in. And as someone whose closet is chock-full of clutches, crossbody bags, and a number of other compact purse styles, I have very mixed feelings about the trend. But if there was ever a handbag that might sway my loyalties, I knew it would be the Cuyana Easy Tote ($268) – a standout piece from the luxury, ethical brand behind some of today’s most polished fashion essentials.
In all honesty, I’ve had my eye on Cuyana’s chic tote offerings for a while now (thank Meghan Markle for that!). So naturally, when I heard that Cuyana was planning to do a major makeover on its handbag and tote stock, my interest was immediately piqued. After all, this was the same brand beloved and religiously worn by celebrities like Jessica Alba and Angelina Jolie. Any collection revamp would have to rival some of the designer’s cult-favorite styles like the (now defunct) Classic Structured Leather Tote, all while still staying true to Cuyana’s reputation for timeless elegance.
Fortunately, I was lucky enough to take Cuyana’s popular bag style, the Easy Tote, for a test-drive before the product’s debut. I’ll admit: even as a fan of the brand, I was wary about whether the style could live up to the hype of the luxe designer’s other, more staple bags. But so far, Cuyana’s new Easy Tote has managed to do the impossible – make a tote believer out of even the most adamant mini-bag loyalist: me. The bag has been my greatest accessory companion over the past few weeks – and I have an inkling it will continue to be my go-to long after, too. Read on for my honest review of Cuyana’s Easy Tote style.
About the Cuyana Easy Tote
The Cuyana Easy Tote is available to shop in two styles: a classic, horizontal Easy Tote and a Cuyana Tall Easy Tote ($268).
The Easy Tote comes in eight different colors, including cappuccino (my bag of choice), caramel, black, and stone. The style is also available in a handful of fresh, seasonal colorways that include daffodil yellow, indigo, and ecru.
This particular style is Leather Working Group (LWG)-certified, which affirms that the bag’s leather is tanned in an environmentally responsible way.
What I Like About the Cuyana Easy Tote
Even upon first wear, you can tell the tote is built to last – a theme that’s consistent with most all of Cuyana’s product inventory. The bag is crafted from a lightweight, pebbled Italian leather that’s designed to soften with each wear – making it a chic and comfortable style that’s perfect for the long haul.
The tote is also astonishingly lightweight – so much so that Cuyana has even marketed it as being the brand’s “lightest bag ever.” As someone who has had some time to take the product for a spin, I can confirm: it really does live up to the airy hype. I’m notorious for carrying a lot of stuff with me wherever I go – whether it’s to the gym, airport, office, and beyond, I always have plenty of my own daily essentials in tow. As a result, I’ve historically had to rely on bulky, heavy, and downright inconvenient totes to keep all of my handbag must-haves organized. But thanks to Cuyana’s Easy Tote, I get the space of a deep and chunky tote, all without any of the hassle or added weight. I suspect this is in part due to the tote’s minimal design, which avoids cliché bag buffers like synthetic lining or bulky hardware.
More than anything, I just love the timeless elegance of Cuyana’s Easy Tote. The relaxed style boasts more of a squishy, breathable feel that’s simple, stylish, and, best of all, subtle. Statement handbags and purses might be popular nowadays, but like most trends, it’s difficult to predict whether they’ll remain relevant in the next season. With the muted design of the Cuyana Easy Tote, I have no doubt that the bag will
