Black Leather Classic Tote Bag
Original price was: $ 205.$ 179Current price is: $ 179.
Free worldwide shipping · duties paid · 30-day returns
- Free worldwide shippingDuties paid · 4–9 working days
- Free sizing adviceTell us what you need to carry
- 30-day returnsUnused, tags attached
- Full-grain leatherNever bonded or “genuine”
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Black body, contrast brown handles, brass rivets holding the two together.
- Full-grain leather throughout — the top grade, not bonded or corrected-grain.
- Tapered body, wider at the mouth, so you can see the bottom without tipping it.
- Shoulder-length handles in a brown that takes patina visibly.
- Free shipping worldwide — duties settled before dispatch where the carrier supports it.
- 30-day returns on unused items.
- Description
- Reviews (5)
Description
Black body, brown handles
Two hides, cut from different tannages, on the same bag. The body is black and the handles are a mid brown, joined with brass rivets that pick up the warmer colour rather than disappearing into the black.
A two tone leather tote bag is a harder thing to make than a single-colour one, because the two leathers have to age at a similar rate. Mismatch them and after two years you have a faded bag with new-looking straps, or the reverse.
What you are looking at
| Body | Full-grain, black |
|---|---|
| Handles | Full-grain, brown, shoulder length |
| Hardware | Brass rivets |
| Top | Open |
| Front | Patch pocket |
| Shape | Tapered, wider at the mouth than the base |
The taper is what makes it easy to use
The sides flare outward toward the top, so the mouth is wider than the base. That is the difference between reaching into a bag and digging in one. On an open top leather tote women carry to work, a wide mouth means you can see the bottom without tipping it over, and a narrower base means it does not knock against your leg as you walk.
Open, with everything that implies
There is no zip. That makes it fast — nothing to catch, nothing to jam, and you can drop something in one-handed. It also means the contents are visible from above. For a desk-to-desk bag that is a fair trade; for a commute standing on a crowded train it is not, and our zip-top tote is the better answer there.
Why the handles are brown and not black
Handles take more handling than any other part of a bag, and they darken fastest. On a black tote with contrast handles that darkening reads as patina on the brown, where on black it would just look worn. It is a practical choice dressed as a style one.
Looking after it
Condition both leathers, not just the body — the handles are the part under strain and the part that dries out first. Keep it off wet floors. An open tote collects more than a closed one, so empty it occasionally rather than letting things settle at the bottom.
Questions
Will the brown handles fade differently from the black body?
They will change more visibly, because brown shows patina where black does not. Both are full-grain and both darken with use. Condition the handles at the same time as the body and they will stay in step.
Does it close?
No, the top is open. If you want a tote that closes, our zip-top black tote is built for that and this one is not.
How is this different from your other black tote?
Three ways. This one has contrast brown handles, an open top and a tapered body. The other is black throughout, has a zip closure and straight sides. Choose this for ease of access, that one for security.
Does it hold a laptop?
It takes one, but there is no padded section. Use a sleeve inside it if you carry a machine daily.
Can I return it?
Yes, within 30 days, unused and in original condition.
How long does delivery take and are duties included?
Shipping is free worldwide with no minimum order. Import duties are settled before dispatch wherever the carrier supports Delivered Duty Paid to your country, so the checkout total is the amount you pay. Where a carrier does not support it to your destination, any duty is charged locally — email info@cordwainleather.com and we will confirm which applies to you.
See the rest of our women’s leather bags, or a leather wallet to go in it.
Amelia Foster –
I like how the tote silhouette works with the rest of this tote. The proportions in the design are appealing. The listing explains the style clearly.
Noah Phillips –
What I like most about the design is the tote silhouette. It suits the style of this tote really well. The product title and details made the design easy to understand.
Jack Morrison –
There is a nice balance to the styling of this tote. The tote silhouette is a good finishing detail. It has a more understated appearance than some similar designs.
Hannah Morgan –
I was looking at the design details, and the tote silhouette caught my eye. It works well on this tote. The overall look is easy to picture with everyday outfits.
Nathan Brooks –
For me, the strongest part of this tote design is the tote silhouette. It is simple but distinctive.