This Week I Love …

… shoulder-strap totes.

Sounds like an oxymoron, right. Allow me to explain: With winter comes poofy coats. Poofy coats make shoulder bags a tricky proposition, since the straps tend to slide against the slick nylon. So I’ve come to love totes for winter use. BUT. They must have shoulder straps, too. Because I use all of my bags year-round, and need the shoulder option for non-winter. And also occasionally need both hands in winter and risk shoulder-slippage.

Here are a few totes with removable shoulder straps that I’m ogling right now:

Leather Satchel – $145, The Leather Store

I’m pretty sure this bag has been in my Etsy faves for multiple years running, now. Love the shape of those handles, the external pockets, and that nice, wide shoulder strap. I’ve owned bags from The Leather Store and they’re absolutely top-notch hand-made bags.

Frye Melissa Hobo – $387.95

Technically a hobo, but functionally a tote since that short strap is likely a tight fit on many shoulders. This is a narrow bag, but large at 13″ x 13″ and also comes in three gorgeous weathered browns.

Steve Madden Blucyy – $59.97

A marvelously oversized tote at 12.5″ x 20″ x 5″, on-trend with fringe accents, and vegan-friendly to boot! This might actually be able to double as a super stylish overnight bag. Also love this slightly smaller tassel-adorned brick red tote from Steve Madden.

Elliott Lucca Iara Midi Tote – $167.95 – $177.95

Far smaller at 10″ x 4″ x 9.5″, this compact tote still has plenty of room for your everyday essentials. Elliott Lucca is a highly underrated bag designer, in my opinion, and you can get this style in cognac as shown here, as well as black, burgundy, slate felt, blush, or blush felt.

Street Level Python Print Tote – $28.98

If leopard feels too loud but you love the look of animal prints, give snake print a try. This medium-sized vegan-friendly option will look chic with everything from neutrals to bold brights.

Novica Upcycled Cotton Shoulder Bag with Recycled Tire Accents – $62.99

This bag is such a find: Great price, handmade, and crafted from recycled materials. Nice and big at 14.5″ x 19.75″ x 5.5″, and includes a large exterior pocket.

48 North Canvas Tote with Shoulder Strap – $130

Gotta give a shout-out to Minneapolis-based 48 North, whose waxed canvas totes have also lurked on my Etsy favorites for ages. If you’re not a fan of this olive drab, have this bag made custom in black, sage, gray, or another versatile neutral.

Harveys Seatbelt Bag Medium Streamline Tote – $128

Reader Pat reminded me that Harveys bags are made in the U.S. from durable, vegan-friendly seatbelt material. I’m not a huge fan of the traditional woven Harveys bags, but this striped one is adorable.

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details. Sustainable options are either used, handmade, made in the U.S., artisan made in non-sweatshop conditions, or made using sustainable/fair trade practices.