Roomy and lush, each tote measures 58 cm by 38 cm and comes with a small zip pouch on the inside, which if you realise seems to be the de-rigueur standard issue SLG with most designer totes in the market lately.

Slated to be released later this month, you can choose one of two colour combinations available, but it’s a no-brainer which one I personally prefer more. The one in black/washed canvas will be easier to maintain (shown above), and should retail for less than GBP1650, which is the retail price for the one in full leather that’s currently available at Net-A-Porter. I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that On Pedder will bring it in as well for me to have a close-up look.

Oh, I wouldn’t mind checking these lush zip pouches/clutches out either, the one in turquoise being especially stunning, don’t you think?

Images: Victoria Beckham

Having a lineage as old and as revered as Goyard does means they have an ample historical archive, and if you choose to look past offerings like the Saint Louis and the Boeing, the Ambassade and the Croisière, chances are you’ll find something you’ve never ever seen before, and the experience of it for someone like me is akin to unearthing hidden treasures.

Which was the case the last time I was in Paris, when I ventured in looking for a shoulder strap and a wallet for my partner. With those tasks accomplished, my eyes started to wander around the store and landed on the Goyard Sainte Lucie which was sitting in the display cabinet.

What looked like a folded briefcase quickly turned into something else. Undo the buttons on the top flap and it unfurls into a tall vertical tote that measures 34 cm by 33 cm by 16 cm. Lightweight (it literally weighs next to nothing) and roomy (when unfurled), it was just the type (and shape) of tote I still don’t have in my own collection, and right there and then I almost committed.

Available in a limited number of colours and priced at EUR1350 each, I’m definitely picking one up if I ever find my way back to Paris, or have one customised to my personal specifications, which is also possible at Goyard. I just need to decide. Soon.

Image: Goyard

Priced at GBP174 via Farfetch, it’s another one of those things I find appealing, yet unfathomable, all at once. Oh, and it comes in bottle green as well, which is a tad better if privacy is an issue for you, though I doubt it will help much.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, when it came out the first time it was all shocking and refreshing which made it very novel, but now, it just doesn’t have the same effect anymore.

Well, what do you think? Discuss.

Images: Farfetch

YOU SHOULD SEE: Jil Sander Acetate Market Bag

Available in 4 different sizes of Le Pliage bags (from the smallest handbag to the largest travel tote) along with a pouch, they won’t be available in Singapore till mid-March 2012, but for those who must get them now, you’ll find them online at Colette going for between EUR55 and EUR160, depending on the size.

Besides the Le Pliage pieces, you’ll also find two totes, the larger Aquarium and the smaller Lantern, both of which feature different prints by Ms Katrantzou that retail for EUR320 and EUR350 respectively.

Image: Longchamp

Thankfully, it is not the case as far as the Coach + Hugo Guinness collection is concerned, a celebration of the whimsy as seen through his eyes as he draws inspiration from the city that Coach calls home, New York City. Featuring hand carved linoleum prints that are then imprinted into all manner of totes and SLGs, the imagery is uniquely NYC, from coffee cups to sunglasses and boxing gloves to handcuffs.

The reversible totes are casual and fun, featuring a coffee cup on one and a boxer on another, fabric on the printed side, leather on the other. Retailing for SGD875 a pop, they won’t break your bank either, just the perfect bag for lugging around the laptop and all those work files. Or gym gear, it’s your choice really.

Other pieces in the limited edition collection that is now available for sale at Coach Paragon in Singapore include zip wallets in two sizes (SGD315 and SGD525 each), a sunglasses case (SGD315) as well as a key fob that’s priced at SGD145.

And as far as I’m concerned, I’m really keen on this tech case, which features a trio of zip compartments and the linoleum print of handcuffs at the side. Priced at SGD360, it is the perfect amalgamation of function and whimsy.

Images: Coach

Based in New England where their workshops are located, they use only vegetable tanned leathers that are made into totes, briefcases and SLGs. And the tote taking center stage in today’s post is the Lotuff & Clegg Leather Working Tote, a beautifully simple bag that’s characterised by its long shoulder straps that are wrapped around the bottom (thus ensuring strength and durability) with nary a piece of hardware anyway so as not to mar its clean exterior.

Retailing for USD750 each (around SGD970 after conversion), which really isn’t that expensive. Add that to the fact that it measures a good 43 cm by 33 cm means you’re also getting a tote that’s substantial and roomy, and one that can be carried over the shoulder as well. The one in Chestnut (shown above) is as classic as it gets, though it also comes in 6 other colours like Green, Navy and Red.

But the single best thing about the brand has got to be its lifetime guarantee, which covers material and workmanship defects for the life of the bag. And even if it gets ruined by no one’s fault other than your own, Lotuff & Clegg will repair it, for a small fee of course.

Now that’s dedication.

Image: Lotuff & Clegg

Take for example the Gucci Zoo Tote, which is from the children’s collection of bags and luggage. Measuring 29 cm by 20 cm, on a little girl it would be the equivalent of a Neverfull GM, but on you it would be the perfect little lunch bag, or something you can use on weekends while out shopping (or having tea) with the girls.

What’s more, each GG fabric tote comes embroidered with its own little parrot (or is that a parakeet), which just makes it that much more adorable. Priced at SGD730 a pop, it comes in a total of 4 different colour combinations.

Image: Gucci

And that brings us to the F/W12 Burberry Prorsum Elephant Print Leather Holdall, which just made its Milan debut. Measuring 43 cm across by 45 cm high, this massive tote/duffle hybrid is also the most functional of the lot.

You can use it as a gym bag, or as a piece of carry on luggage when travelling. The only thing I’ll worry about is the weight of it all when it is filled out, since something like that (even when empty) will still weigh quite a bit.

Still, there’s no denying how handsome it is, and bags that look solid and structured are naturally heavy anyway, so there’s no escaping it. Unless of course you’re strictly in the market for something that’s made up of nylon or canvas, which is this baby is not. It’s also very timeless, which means you can use it year after year and not worry about it going out of style.

Retailing for SGD3795 and available in 3 different colours (Mustard, Deep Red and Tan), you’ll have till 22 January 2012 to decide if you want to get it within 8 weeks.

Images: Burberry

And no, there wasn’t a typo as far the the price is concerned. It really is SGD1810 a pop.

Besides the update on the bracelets, here’s another for those who are waiting to find out the price of the woven jacquard cabas totes from S/S12 Chanel. A total of 4 different sizes are available; they include the smallest (27 cm by 26 cm) at SGD2110, and SGD2530 for the one that measures 34 cm by 30 cm. The one that measures 39 cm by 30 cm will retail for SGD3170, while the largest one (which measures 52 cm by 38.5 cm) will retail for SGD3600.

Images: Chanel

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YOU SHOULD SEE: Chanel S/S12 Cabas Tote

Androgynous in its make (and detailed with the most minimalist of hardware), the collection should also appeal to the guys as well, especially the weekender which will also do nicely as a work/gym bag.

Watch the video and have a look at all the different pieces in action, especially the portfolio which now ranks high on my own personal wish list. No word yet on when the collection will be formally launched in Singapore (or their respective retail prices), so do stay tuned for more updates.

UPDATE: The prices in SGD are in! For the 31 Hour Tote, they range from SGD1060 for the one in denim to SGD1360 for the polished leather versions in dual colours. The portfolio will retail for SGD760 (available in Navy or White), while the cosmetic zip clutch will sell for between SGD460 and SGD560.

Image & Video: 3.1 Phillip Lim