There’s a new It bag in town, and unlike most status handbags it’s friendly to finances. These days leading style makers are embracing tote bags that are free, or close to it.
Sadie Stein, the deputy editor of The Paris Review, loves the simple tote issued by her own magazine, and the complimentary one commemorating the 100th anniversary of New York smoked fish mecca Barney Greengrass. Independent art curator Alison Gingeras adores the free totes she’s snagged at Hamster Wheel and Nate Lowman shows. Public relations entrepreneur Cary Leitzes, of Leitz & Company, is still besotted by the tote Alber Elbaz gave away at his Halloween party last year.
These totes boast about connections and culture, rather than bulging bank accounts. You’ll need to know the right people and be at the right place to score them, but when you do you’ll walk away with a handbag that’s unusually desirable and budget-friendly. It’s really the encapsulation of psychologist Daniel Gilbert’s theory that happiness comes from experiences rather than financial outlay.
It also might be the latest manifestation of our current fascination with all things 1970s. After all, that’s when the fabric Le Bag tote made it big, and the current crop are really just a modern take on this. They’re just as environmentally friendly as their predecessor, and they also rely on bold graphics rather than opulent elements to attract attention.
Don’t underestimate the appeal of the next tote bag you receive as a free gift. It might attract admiring glances before you can say Hermes Birkin!
