We’ve been designing tote bags for a little while now, having kicked things off with our Bon Vivant Tote Bag a couple of years ago, and then launching our all-new Mini Bon Vivant Tote Bags (because all good things come in multiple sizes, right?) earlier this year.
It’s been a wild ride, and you guys have hit us with 458213 questions; one of the main ones being: But how do I know which size tote to buy?
And to that we say: Some people like mini totes, some people like large totes, and some people like ALL totes, so it really just depends on what you’re planning on using your chosen tote for.
If you’ve been umm’ing and ahh’ing about which size Bon Vivant Tote Bag to buy, we’ve gotchu covered. Here’s a deep-dive into each bag (and then you better tell us which one you opted for in the comments below).
Bon Vivant Tote Bag
This is the O.G. The first tote bag we released, and one of our favourite carry-alls Clare has ever designed.
This bag is designed for every occasion, and yes, it’ll carry the kitchen sink (plus more) while remaining comfy on the shoulder and ensuring your small things stay organised.
This tote is great for:
- Travelling – Heaps of room for the plane, carrying everything you’ve ever owned to the beach, and ideal for parents who need to lug books, toys and snacks everywhere they go.
- Work – Plenty of space for your large laptop, A3 items & drink bottle (thanks to the handy internal holder), and can likely hold your lunch, snacks and book, too. Heading to the gym after the office? Throw your clothes inside this one as well!
- Everyday’ing – If you’re the kinda person who loves to just chuck everything into one big bag before heading out, then this bag’s for you. It’s roomy, comfy on the shoulder (even if it’s packed to the brim), and can fit items for almost any activity inside it.
Features:
Because it’s full of ‘em.
- Made from heavy-gauge natural canvas
- Designed to fit up to 18-inch laptops
- Can comfortably hold up to A3 items
- Has a bottle holder, ideal for up to 1L Montii drink bottles or a wine bottle #picnicvibes
- A key clip to help you avoid car key misplacement
- Contains 6 large pockets, 1 of which is zipped (for small, important items like money, key cards or a tube of lip balm)
- It has a sturdy base to help it stand upright, avoiding droopage
- Features the comfiest straps ever with flat tops to help with weight distribution
Mini Bon Vivant Tote Bag
This is the latest addition to our Bon Vivant Tote Bag lineup. It’s for those who need a little less space (but still heaps of it), are keen on wearing a tote as a crossbody bag, and adore the look and feel of a tote… without requiring a large one for everyday use.
This tote is great for:
- Airplane Bag – Need something that’s big enough for all your plane essentials, but don’t feel the need for a larger tote? This one’s roomy enough for the travel essentials you’ll wanna keep on-hand at all times, and is super comfy to wear crossbody when floating around the airport.
- Everyday’ing – Who said handbags need to be stereotypical? The Mini Tote is a chic alternative to our leather crossbody bags, perfect for everyday use no matter the activity.
- Brunches, Cafe Visits & Errand-Running – Whether you’re working from a cafe, heading to the supermarket or catching up with friends, the Mini Tote is compact enough to have on-hand at all times without needing to leave the essentials behind.
Features:
Because it wouldn’t be a Bon Maxie tote without lots of ‘em.
- Made from the same heavy-gauge natural canvas as the large tote
- Designed to fit up to A4 items, including most 14-inch laptops (ideal for work-from-cafe life)
- Features a size-inclusive crossbody strap that extends up to 150cm
- And if a crossbody strap wasn’t enough, it also has super comfy handles designed with weight distribution in mind (like the large tote)
- Feet on the bottom means your Mini Tote will be slightly lifted off the ground
- Features a drink bottle holder that fits up to 1L Montii bottles (and it sits on the outside of the zipped section for easy access)
- Has 4 pockets, including 1 zipped pocket
- Plus, it features everyone’s favourite Bon Maxie key clip to ensure you’ll never lose your keys again (hopefully)
Caring for your Bon Vivant Tote Bag (big and small)
Luckily, both of our totes are made from the same natural canvas material, meaning that the care instructions for both are identical!
To take the best care of your tote, we recommend:
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Protecting your tote with the Collonil Waterproofer, available to shop on our website.
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Storing your tote out of direct sunlight to protect the canvas & colours.
- If required, gently spot clean your tote with a soft, damp cloth. We’d recommend avoiding harsh chemicals or detergents.
- Avoid rain exposure where possible, although a water-repellant treatment has been applied to our totes to help protect the fabric.
