Phone totes of all shapes and sizes have been trending (especially in New York City) as of late. In fact, they’re pretty much the Brooklyn mom drop-off uniform—something that feels incredibly freeing as a contrast to the back-breaking bags we tend to tote to the office, the playground and more. Yes, our kids’ backpacks may be stuffed to the gills, but our phone tote (minimalist fashion at its best!) is light as a feather, filled with the essentials…only. What a gift.
Still, the Easy Phone Tote from Cuyana is a stand-out and one that, after testing, I’ve been carrying far and wide.
This particular purse offers more than just minimalism, it provides life organization—yet another up-shot of paring down. Yes, I carry mine to drop-off, but it also feels intentional and luxurious when I carry it to the office (tucked inside my oversize tote, ready to be whisked to a lunch meeting or afternoon coffee break) or on a night out with friends.
Here’s why: Inside, you can actually fit a fair amount, while still sticking to the items you truly need. For example, just this week, I carried mine to a Broadway show and here’s what I brought with me: my phone (it is a phone tote after all), but also an Aloha bar, a lipstick, my keys, my cardholder-sized wallet, a pair of sunglasses and a pack of Life Savers. Not bad. Everything was easily accessible (cue that organizational benefit I mentioned above), but kept my load impressively light.
But this isn’t just about practicality. This purse—a miniature version of Cuyana’s larger-sized tote—is chic. It’s available year-round, but the color palette changes. In my case, I own one in red, which alas is now sold out, but the Cappucino (pictured here) is perfect for fall as are the Deep Ocean and Cherry and Stone hues. I love the adjustable strap, which allows me to wear it as a crossbody bag, but also the fact that it’s removable, too. (Carrying this tiny tote by the handles is also quite streamlined and cute.)
Finally—and this is a biggie—I’ve been carrying this purse to all sorts of places for close to six months and the soft leather, with its pebbled texture, feels appropriately worn while still looking new. (It’s worth noting that Cuyana works with the Leather Working Group to ensure that their leather is tanned in an environmentally responsible way.)
