I love Phillip Lim for his minimal, timeless designs. They always appeal to me as classic and wearable for almost anyone. And, while I don’t think this bag is an exception, I do have a few reservations about it.
I’m not trying to tap in to the global broken record of recession complaints, but seriously, I am trying to spend less money these days, and I think most other people are too. Which is why I have some reservations about this bag.
Because aesthetically, I can find no fault with it. It is a cheerful color that would pop against almost any other color, it is well designed, and the craftsmanship is amazing. You would be hard pressed to find a more perfect tote bag for the beach.
The leather is sturdy and treated to look like canvas. It is roomy and has fabulous thick leather handles that will hold up to years of use and won’t dig into your shoulders when it’s weighed down.
But the thing I ask myself looking at it is: Why do I need a leather bag that looks like canvas for $525? It seems like if “canvas tote” is the look I’m going for, then it could be had at a much lower price point. Of course, it wouldn’t secretly be leather like this one, and it wouldn’t have the caché of a designer bag, but then again, how much caché do I need to carry my paperback novels to and from the pool? And secondarily, is a tote bag really where I go to up my style factor? Isn’t that what clutches are for?
This is a gorgeous take everywhere summertime tote, and if you have the cash for trompe l’oeil canvas, go right ahead, but I’m sticking with the real canvas tote I picked up at my local market for under $10.
More Features Of The Phillip Lim Kanvas Leather Tote
- Open top with magnetic closure
- Soft canvas lining
- Separate change pouch included
