Toteme, The Row, Saint Laurent, Coach and MEJIA. Five one-handle bags, from the maker's perspective.

Every year around this time, I find myself deliberating over which bag to choose.

I love leather. But carrying leather in summer makes my arms sweaty. On the other hand, nylon and canvas are too casual. I'm torn between the desire to carry a high-quality bag even in summer and the problem of what material to choose.

This summer, I took another look at one-handle bags. Starting with their shape, I've organized the characteristics of five bags.

This is my personal feeling, but I believe one-handle bags have a certain "space" due to less contact with the body. Whether you carry it on your shoulder or in your hand, it's not firmly fixed, which gives it a slightly relaxed, effortless feel. This gesture suits light summer clothing.

01　Toteme　Woven Leather Belted Tote

Woven leather, for summer.

 Among the five bags introduced here, this is the only one "made for summer." It features a woven structure of braided sheepskin, allowing air to pass through the gaps. It maintains the luxurious feel of leather while ensuring breathability at the material level.

The belt nicely cinches the bag's silhouette, a signature Toteme touch. The brand excels at designs where embellishment also serves a structural purpose. Made in Italy.

 

02　The Row　N/S Park Tote Large

The persuasive power of saying nothing.

Every time I see a The Row bag, I wonder, "What is the limit of subtraction?" How can something so devoid of additions look so complete?

The N/S Park Tote has a vertical bucket silhouette. The natural texture of the grained calf leather catches the light, creating a surprisingly rich expression. The simple act of tying the opening with a leather ribbon brings a pleasant feeling every time you carry it.

Since it's not specifically for summer, the calf leather can be a bit stuffy. Still, there's something about it that makes me want to carry it. It's the bag I reach for when I want to add a touch of sophistication to my summer outfit.

 

03　Saint Laurent　LE 5 À 7 Soft Large

A bag for 5 to 7 in the evening.

"Le 5 à 7" refers to the romantic and free social hours in Paris between 5 and 7 PM, when women leave work and head out for their evening plans. It's a slightly special time after work, before meeting someone. The idea of a bag for this specific time is quite chic, I think. This bag embodies that period, symbolizing the refined elegance of Parisian women.

Calfskin, suede lining, two main compartments. The YSL tab closure is effective, creating moments where your fingertips touch the bag each time you open and close it. When it comes to detailed design, this brand doesn't cut corners.

This is a bag I'd rather carry from evening into night, when the temperature has dropped, than during the heat of a summer day.

 

04　Coach　Bleecker Bucket Bag

The value of everyday use.

 

Coach's leatherwork has a slightly different "everyday feel" compared to other brands. It's not too refined, yet not sloppy. The semi-vegetable tanned natural grain leather is a material that becomes more supple with use, offering the pleasure of "breaking in" a bag rather than having it be perfect from the start.

Inside, there's a snap pocket and a detachable zip pouch. It fits a 13-inch laptop. The dog-leash clip closure is also a typical Coach detail, reminding you of its history every time you use it.

For those who want a bag they can carry every day, from summer weekends to their commute, I recommend trying this one first.

 

05　otnek&ebanat　MEJIA

Smooth, washable, and elegant.

 

When I carry the MEJIA in summer, I notice something. The feeling against my arm is different from other bags.

Ultrasuede® is resistant to stuffiness upon contact. Due to its material structure, it doesn't easily retain sweat or moisture on its surface. The problem of leather getting sticky in summer simply doesn't occur. This is why there's less stress in continuously carrying it, even on hot days. It has a high-quality texture similar to suede, but its touch is smooth. I believe it's a material ideal for summer.

 

And it's washable.

 

Bags tend to get dirty easily in summer. Sweat or sunscreen can get on them. Leather bags are vulnerable to water, so you can only wipe them, but the MEJIA can be put in a washing machine. If it gets dirty, wash it. It's that simple, but this sense of security for a summer bag is quite significant.

The plump, padded structure of the one-handle design was conceived to reduce digging into the arm when carried. The weight is distributed, making it less tiring to carry for long periods. I believe a bag that doesn't drain your energy during summer outings is also a key criterion.

 

Styling Tips

It naturally complements both summer dresses and linen sets.

 

SPEC SUMMARY

*If the table is cut off on your smartphone, you can view the entire table by rotating your screen horizontally.

*Information other than MEJIA is taken from official brand websites, etc. It may contain incorrect information.

 

 

Conclusion

After lining up the five bags, I realized that each one has a convincing argument for the summer season. Toteme offers breathability with its woven material. The Row has a presence that makes you want to carry it even if it's not specifically for summer. Saint Laurent has a timeline for the evening. Coach offers durability for everyday use.

At otnek&ebanat, we believe that MEJIA, with its smooth Ultrasuede® material and washability, should be used regularly without fuss.

 

Click here for the MEJIA collection.

Click here for the washable series collection.