How Did The Classic Tote Become The Most Viral Bag Of The Season?

This bag is the ultimate nonchalant statement piece you didn’t know you needed – and now you can’t live without.

Lou Doillon embodies quintessential nonchalant chic with her classic Massimo Dutti tote. Credit: Massimo Dutti

By Imran Jalal, 25 Mar 2025

After seasons of being boxed into "anti-fashion" and "quiet luxury," with The Row’s Margaux and corporate-core bags dominating, fashion has finally found the bag. And spoiler alert: it’s not rocket science. Enter the classic maxi tote.

Top of our wishlist: Massimo Dutti’s Nappa leather maxi tote — timeless, roomy, and genuinely practical. This beauty doesn’t just carry your essentials; it turns heads. With a sleek buckle closure, a main compartment spacious enough for life’s daily chaos, and two extra pockets for important receipts (or that forgotten granola bar), it’s as functional as it is chic. Plus, two handles and a shoulder strap — because choices matter.

Another strong contender for this season's It bag is Loro Piana’s debut Ghiera Shopper, featuring hand-finished blanket stitching and a soft, rounded structure that captures the brand’s signature sensorial touch.
Loro Piana

Crafted from supple bovine leather with a smooth Nappa finish, this bag is built for workdays and weekends alike. And let’s not forget the Rooted Heritage campaign featuring Lou Doillon, the ultimate poster child for effortless French chic. This bag is the fashion equivalent of throwing on a white tee and looking like you woke up stylish.

Scroll on for other totes that nail the look.