One of the things I realized when I started my minimal-waste lifestyle makeover is that it entails carrying a lot of your reusable goods with you. I not only carry reusable shopping bags, but also my water bottle, bamboo utensils, small drawstring bags for bulk items or fruit, and sometimes reusable plastic containers for food. So that means I need to carry fairly large bags, and that's how I've come to carry around two totes with me everyday: one as my personal item and one for work. For work I just switched over to Everlane's Day Market tote (reviewed here as Part 2), but for my personal life I carry the Celine Cabas Phantom tote in small (similar ones here). If you've been following along with my on Instagram, you already know that I purchased this tote during my trip to Paris.
When I bought it, I have to admit that I was on a buying "high". I was shopping! In Paris! And the prices were several hundreds cheaper than what I would pay in the US! How could I not buy something? But then I purchased a Chanel crossbody in London (Heathrow) and I felt a tiny bit of buyer's remorse since I felt like I overdid it in the bag buying department (I also bought a leather purse in Amsterdam from an unknown company). But since I bought it, I thought I might as well get some good use out of it (and get that cost per wear down). So I've been using it everyday since I came back. And now I absolutely love love love it. Zero buyer's remorse now.
{Wearing: Jamie + the Jones Heavy Weight sweater (review coming soon), Elizabeth Suzann Clyde work pants in cotton canvas (reviewed here), Everlane modern loafer mules (reviewed here), and Celine small cabas phantom tote (similar here)
I've never liked floppy leather totes in the past because either the bottom would sag out or the tops would flop in, but I've had none of those issues with this bag. The leather on the bag is stiff enough that it can sit on its own. The grained calfskin leather on this is gorgeous, so soft and really durable. I toss this tote around a lot and there's been no scratches or marks.
I love that there are the the two leather strips that can cinch the bag if you need to. Of course, this tote isn't the most secure bag but at least when I have it cinched and under my arm, the chances of someone reaching in and grabbing something is super slim. (In some ways I feel like its even more secure than my Celine Sangle {reviewed here} because the stiff smooth leather of my Sangle tends to gape open more). When I cinch it up all the way (which I rarely do), it kind of reminds me of a large bucket bag but just one that goes over your shoulder.
There is also a really large zipper pocket that can hold several hand lotions and my keys, so I put the things I use the most in there. Of course, I still have the age old problem of things getting lost at the bottom of the bag and unfortunately my purse organizer from this review is a tad too long. Oh well, so far it hasn't been a major problem so I'll hold off on the purse organizer for now. Oh and this tote can definitely hold my 13" macbook in its bulky case (so probably even a 15" laptop would fit).
The only I don't like about this tote is the suede interior (such a fragile material for inside of a tote). But other than that I'm really in love (just see how many mirror selfies I've taken with this bag lol >_<) and I'm so glad I went for it in Paris. Since this is definitely on the pricey side I recommend finding a pre-loved one if you're interested. Right now Fashionphile (my favorite online consignment site) has these available.
Anyway I have a feeling you will be seeing a lot of this bag in the years to come!
P.S. If you’re looking for a much more affordable version of this tote I would probably recommend Cuyana’s Classic Structured Tote. I’ve tried their Classic tote before (reviewed here) but the leather on the old classic tote is a tad flimsier and thinner than either the Cuyana structured tote or Celine’s small cabas phantom (and I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re specifically looking for a floppy tote). At least both the Celine cabas and Cuyana’s structured tote can stand up on their own.
And you can find all my other Celine reviews here.
{April 2022 Update: I just wanted to update this post to let you guys know I ended up selling this bag last year. I hardly carried it around anymore because tbh a leather tote can get quite heavy in general. And I found myself favoring my nylon totes from Longchamp or Everlane whenever I needed a tote. So I sold this bag when I bought my Celine blade bag secondhand from Fashionphile.}