Do you have that one bag or pair of shoes that you just can’t live without? I do. Mine is the Cuyana tote (my color is currently on a waitlist) that I’ve been carrying pretty much every day for the last year and a half. I feel very strongly about this bag so here I am dedicating an entire (non-sponsored) blog post to her. We’ve been literally attached at the hip for a while now so it’s about time!
Cuyana as a whole is one of my favorite brands for leather goods for many reasons, but mostly for the message they’re spreading with their tagline: fewer, better things. They embody this tagline with everything they do, including a partnership with thredUp to expand their “Lean Closet” program. The program encourages consumers to pare down their closet to fewer, better pieces that will last for years.
If you watch the video on their website, you can see one of the founders talk about how trends come and go quickly and we often buy things because it’s a good deal which ends up with people accumulating a bunch of things they don’t really want. Cuyana is dedicated to creating high-quality non-trendy pieces that will last a lifetime. I can personally attest to the quality. I have the tote from this post, a larger tote that I used for years before I switched to this one (I like the crossbody feature which was my main reason for the switch), a wallet, and this silk tee. It all has all stood up to time.
The leather is in great shape, the handles haven’t started to fall apart, and the structure still holds. The only issue I’ve had with it was when I first bought it one of the clasps on the strap was broken but I emailed customer service and they replaced it for free.
I have other totes and try to use them but always come back to this one because it is perfect. It’s a perfect size, it has the perfect side-pocket, and it has a cross-body strap which is key for ease when I’m with Amalia. The only downside to it is that it can’t fit my laptop so if I’m working out of the house, I have to bring that in a separate bag. That said, their Medium Carryall Tote (fully in-stock) fits it perfectly so I’m going to ask for that as a Christmas gift this year.
I wear this bag to grocery shop, run errands, go out with friends, and everything in between. There is something so classic and easy about it that I can pair it with pretty much anything in my closet. It’s only available in black right now, but you can put your email on the waitlist for my color, or the larger size is stocked in all colors.
After scrolling through the Cuyana site for this post, I realized that they have tote organization inserts and this size fits the medium tote… That officially sold me on it. There are pockets for everything including your water bottle and laptop. Oh man I might not be able to wait until Christmas!
Cuyana Cross-Body Tote / J.Crew Slip Skirt (Check out more ways to style it here) / Similar Sweater / J.McLaughlin Shoes (gifted) / The Daily Edited Phone Case
Cuyana Cross-Body Tote / J.Crew Slip Skirt (Check out more ways to style it here) / Similar Sweater / J.McLaughlin Shoes (gifted) / The Daily Edited Phone Case
Photos by Julia Dags.
This post comes at the perfect time, as I’m considering a Cuyana bag as my work/commuting tote. My one question is: do the straps stay on your shoulders?? I bought an MZ Wallace tote last year and I had to stop using it because the nylon straps constantly slid down, especially when I wore my puffer coat. I love the Cuyana bag, but I’m so worried about spending the money and having the same thing happen!
They do! I also have the MZ Wallace tote and stopped using it for that reason. These straps stay on but with the small size, I usually use it cross-body and not with the smaller straps.
In the meantime until Christmas, here is an Amazon tote organizer I LOVE: https://www.amazon.com/Purse-Organzier-Organizer-Zipper-Medium/dp/B07DKD7MB2/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1Y12RIA1P5H0N&keywords=tote+organizer+insert&qid=1566394543&s=gateway&sprefix=tote+or%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-3
Um ok WHAT? This is amazing. I’m buying it now. Thank you!
Glad to hear you like the brand! I have been lusting after the classic leather zipper tote for a long time. I’m now pregnant and I’m thinking about buying it and using the totesavvy diaper insert to make it my diaper bag. I want something classic/timeless and chic rather than a “mom bag” but I know I need to be practical too. Would love your thoughts as a mom and Cuyana fan!
I did that with the non-zippered tote for a while! I used the tote savvy inside it and it worked perfectly. Just make sure it fits in the zippered one but I think it should.
Do you think the color stone works well throughout the winter? Not too light?
Personally, I do but if you aren’t into that, go for the camel color which 100% works year-round
This bag is exactly what I’ve been looking for…any idea when it will be available?
Not sure but I’ll reach out to the brand and try to find out!
Hi everyone. I just love the cuyana tote but the insert/organiser is made of a crazy heavy material and doubles the weight of the bag!!!!!! I only used it ONCE. What a waste of money, and it’s really very expensive for some
Thing that’s not even a natural fibre. Frankly it’s a ripoff and useless, both. Just get an organiser from some other brand and go for the cuyana bags. their leather stitching and hardware are all superb for the reasonable price. The leather is beautifully cured and has no yucky stink. Just the usual lovely smell of leather. An extra pocket on the outside of the bag would be wonderful for quick access of mobile and keys. Hope they add that soon. And I don’t get why bag makers can’t put a dam magnetic button and a zipper on the bag!!!! So one can use either depending on which one we need at a certain time. How difficult is that. Seriously.
Good to know, thank you Nyla! Another reader recommended this one from Amazon. I’ll buy it and test it out too: https://amzn.to/31XBrbu
I am curious how this insert works for you. I ordered one similar from Amazon for my Neverful and it is not good at all. The overall structure is good but the velcro insert has never kept in place. It is as if it is not wide enough. Once I stick the velcro on one side if I try the other side it pulls off. And if I take anything in or out of the insert the velcro insert just comes off the velcro. I have tried everything and even thought about stitching it on. I just ordered one from a better company not on Amazon to compare. I like the idea of it but ugh this one is so annoying. I just hope the one I ordered is not too heavy…. we will see…
Glad to see the photos and scale of the bag because I’ve been considering one myself! My only hesitation is the bag that this would be replacing has a zippered pocked on the outside and it’s so convenient that I’d hate to lose that feature. My bag also has more pockets on the inside and the thought of having to buy an organizer for a bag is frustrating. I really with Cuyana would re-design this bags to give them a big more functionality!