Serpui Marie Maria Candida Tote | Rustic Woven Leather and Straw Carryall Bag

Posted on: Apr 28

I'm rarely a girl who judges a bag by its name, but with a moniker like Maria Candida it's hard not to. After all, who wants to carry a tote that sounds like a girl with a yeast infection?

It's a shame really, because this tote offers both style and substance. There's a certain rustic charm about the finish which combines rich brown and coral leather with woven natural straw. I love the way the vertical leather strips are woven through the angled straw threads; it's such an interesting take on the woven bag craze. The trapezoidal shape is also stunning.

The design is functional too, with a generous interior and all the features we need to manage it. The base is flat, so you can sit it down for a time without it toppling over or losing its shape. The wide top makes it easy to get your goodies in and out, and the twill lining should go the distance. I'd have preferred more pockets, as a single zippered pocket and lone open pouch doesn't seem nearly enough for modern girls, but otherwise there's little to criticize.

Except that name, of course. It's frankly abhorrent, and I can't imagine what Serpui Marie was thinking. You probably won't regret making this tote your go-to day bag, but you might not want to reveal what it's called!