Ah, the elusive perfect plain leather tote. Long strap. Big but not TOO big. Natural honey-cognac-y color. Great for travel, work, and beach times. Only gets better with age.
After months and months of comparing, I think I’m ready to make a decision. The Clare Vivier La Tropezienne, absolutely. No, maybe the Baggu. Wait…this Coach one is perfect. 
1. Misoui // 2. Elizabeth & James (sold out, try this one or this one.) // 3. Rib & Hull // 4. Baggu // 5. Cuyana // 6. Clare Vivier La Tropezienne // 7. Clare Vivier Cartable (sold out, similar here.) // 8. Banana Republic (sold out, try this one or this one.) // 9. Mansur Gavriel
Which would you choose?
Oh the Rib & Hull is like it’s made for me!
Just to throw in another option my friend bought this one from Madewell and I was impressed with the leather
http://bit.ly/1h9Lp1x
I would pick the rib & hull tote, such a classic color and shape!
I’m going with #3. Looks cozy already.
Oh definitely number 3! It looks like it would age well.
#9 is gorgeous! And I love that it seems to have enough structure to stand up on it’s own. I’m sorry if it’s the most expensive (champagne taste beer budget over here)
Ooh, I vote #6 or #8, primarily for the straps that go the whole way around the bottom. Makes them sturdier, and less likely to yank the seams out where they’re attached.
This is a boatload of good choices!
I’ve had my eye on the Rib & Hull tote for ages but I also love your #9
Number 5 for me, defs. It’s so classic and simple.
I have the Rib&Hull, which I love, even if the finishing of the leather is very sensitive and it partially washed away the first time I found myself under a NY summer storm. So, careful with that
Ohhh, good to know!
Those Banana Republic ones are flimsy as heck. I’ve gone through a few and the straps always break, even though I never carry more than keys and a wallet in them. (Only paid full price for the first one…others I bought at the Gap Factory Store where a bunch of damaged ones were tossed into a big bin. That doesn’t speak well!)
Figures
I was looking at them in green at the one here, they had them on major sale. I definitely need thick straps.
Thank you so much for the shout out! Which one did you get?
I ended up getting the Mansur Gavriel – but from the responses / tweets from this post, you guys were the clear fave!
Second best choice 😉
they are really tempting
I want numbre 2 but i can’t find one like that can someboby help me !
Did you see that it’s back in stock? http://bit.ly/1mRDVmk
Def no 5 for me love the classic timeless look and think it would age beautifully.