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 you Meghan Markle for that!). So naturally, when I heard that Cuyana was planning to revamp its handbag and tote collection, 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 discontinued) Classic Structured Leather Tote, 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 its official debut. I’ll admit, even as a fan of the brand, I was skeptical about whether the style could live up to the hype of Cuyana’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: myself. This bag has been my constant companion over the past few weeks, and I have a feeling it will continue to be my go-to for years to come. Read on for my honest review of the Cuyana Easy Tote style.
About the Cuyana Easy Tote
The Cuyana Easy Tote is available 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 personal favorite), caramel, black, and stone. The style is also available in a handful of fresh, seasonal colorways, such as daffodil yellow, indigo, and ecru.
This particular style is Leather Working Group (LWG)-certified, meaning 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 that this tote is built to last – a consistent theme with most of Cuyana’s products. The bag is crafted from a lightweight, pebbled Italian leather that is designed to soften with each use, making it a comfortable and stylish choice for the long haul.
The tote is also surprisingly lightweight – so much so that Cuyana has marketed it as their “lightest bag ever.” As someone who tends to carry a lot of stuff with me wherever I go – to the gym, airport, office, and beyond – I always need a bag that can hold all of my daily essentials. In the past, this has meant relying on bulky, heavy, and inconvenient totes. But with Cuyana’s Easy Tote, I get the space of a deep and chunky tote without any of the hassle or added weight. I believe this is partly due to the tote’s minimal design, which avoids cliché bag buffers like synthetic lining or bulky hardware.
More than anything, I love the timeless elegance of the Cuyana Easy Tote. The relaxed style has a squishy, breathable feel that is simple, stylish, and, best of all, subtle. While statement handbags and purses may be popular right now, like most trends, it’s hard to say whether they will remain relevant in the next season. With the muted design of the Cuyana Easy Tote, I have no doubt that this bag will be a sophisticated and polished staple in my closet for years to come.
What’s Worth Noting
The tote features a double-handbag design, which aims to create a more streamlined look and allows users to easily switch between carrying the bag by hand or on the shoulder. Initially, I was concerned that the shorter straps might look cluttered or even feel suff
