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In the Bag: What fits inside my Loren tote

Many moons ago when I was an advertising executive in London, my biggest wardrobe struggle was to find a stylish handbag that could fit everything I needed from 8am to 8pm, and didn’t weigh a ton.

Sometimes one bag wasn’t enough and I’d have to resort to carrying multiple bags on my daily commute, especially if I was planning a trip to the gym during my lunch break, or going out for drinks after work. Many of the bags I had in my wardrobe were made with beautiful leather but had heavy hardware and uncomfortable shoulder straps that really cut into my shoulder. By the end of the day I was frustrated and in pain.

So, when I designed the Loren Tote, my goal was to create the ideal work tote. I wanted it to be sleek and stylish but also structured and functional. A work bag should have a cross-body strap option, as well as top handles. When you're juggling multiple items, you can simply put the bag across your body and carry your takeaway cup and phone, while handles are ideal for grabbing your bag quickly, that’s why I opted for both. Organisation was an important feature, but weight was even more important to me, so I traded interior pockets for a bonded suede lining for an ultra lightweight experience and designed a matching zip leather pouch to store my smaller bits and pieces.

I wanted the bag to have a top zipper. Besides the security issue, a zipper really is the best way to guarantee your belongings won't spill out all over the train carriage or get trapped between your car seat during your commute. That’s happened to me numerous times! The other key criteria was size. I wanted a bag that could store my daily must-haves, but that wasn't so big that it looked like a carry-on.

So, without further ado, I’d like to introduce you to Loren, my ideal work tote, and show you what fits inside, comfortably and realistically.

The Loren is my go-to work bag. I love the smooth leather because it’s so modern looking and practical. It's also ultra lightweight so you won't feel like you're carrying an 8 pound baby even before you've put anything in it. It doesn't scratch or stain easily and it has a beautiful bonded suede lining which gives it a pop of colour. Like all my bags it’s meticulously handcrafted in Rome by a team of skilled artisans who have been working with leather since 1959. The whole process is 100% Made in Italy, from the initial prototype, to the materials used, to the end production.

WHAT FITS IN MY LOREN TOTE

  • A copy of Porter, one of my favourite magazines - I love the mix of fashion, intelligent editorial and beautiful photography.
  • An SCU Notebook - This past summer I took my daughter to California to visit Santa Clara University, my alma mater. I used to buy a different coloured notebook for each subject at university and as I’m still an avid note taker, I couldn’t pass the chance to get one of these Santa Clara notebooks while we were there.
  • My Sky Blue Cosmetics Case - to store my pens, make-up and other daily essentials I don't want scattered at the bottom of my bag.
  • My Bailey Nelson sunglasses. I bought this style in 3 different coloured frames because I think they suit the shape of my face and are super lightweight which means I don’t get a headache while wearing them and their polarised lenses are amazing.
  • iPhone - My loyal personal assistant!
  • A copy of Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeannette Winterson - I’ve just started reading this book my brother gave me for Christmas last year and it’s already a page turner.
  • My light pink 330cl S'well metal water bottle - my family and I are trying to cut down on plastic waste at our house, and the first thing we gave up were plastic bottles. I love the colour of this bottle and that it doesn't have that weird metallic smell that some water bottles have. 
  • My 13-inch trusty Macbook. I’m an Apple girl all the way and this is my favourite can’t-live-without gadget, after my phone of course.  
 
 
 
 

If you’re not sure whether a Regular Loren or a Midi Loren is the right bag for you, then read my other blog post: What Fits in My Midi Loren Tote. And if you still have questions, feel free to reach out either through Live Chat, (at the bottom right of this page), via the contact form here, or by email at info(@)alexandradecurtis.com.

Ciao for now,

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