As much as the daily tote gets a bad rap, out of sheer necessity, the tote will forever be a cornerstone in our handbag collections. I have been actively working on switching my bags out often, as having bags and not using them makes no sense, but the one bag in my collection that has received the most use over the past months is my Fauré Le Page Daily Battle Tote.
Though not as well-known by name as Goyard and Louis Vuitton, this French brand was established in Paris in 1717 (long before Goyard – 1792 – and Louis Vuitton – 1854). Originally, the brand was a gunsmith and supplier to kings and princes. The rich history has been reinvigorated as a French family purchased the brand in 2009 and has been working on assembling the archives of the brand. The main symbols of power and seduction are part of the brand’s heritage, and the armour (feathers), part of the original design. The history of hunting leather craftsmen can be seen in the present day to pay homage to the roots.
Here’s a look at the tote that has been on my arms most lately!
Aesthetics
As far as a tote shape goes, this bag is fairly straightforward. It has double leather straps that fit over the shoulder, along with leather corners. The Scale pattern, which evokes dragons and mermaids, is the most known for the brand, and while the brand name can be seen on the pattern, it is far more subdued than other logo totes.
Additional design aesthetics allow you to make this bag more of your own, including different sizes and colors, adding a yellow border to the leather, changing the leather ribbon color, and adding initial or “seduction” medals. I added the PB medals to my version, which of course, stands for PurseBlog, but a few people have asked if I love peanut butter (I do).
A simple tote, in theory, the additional personalization, and the fact that this brand isn’t flooding the bag market make it score higher for me in the aesthetic category.
Usability + Functionality
The bag does exactly what it is intended to do: carry things. While I love the fact that it is an open-top, that sometimes means when I am stuffing the bag, I find items about to fall out when I place it down quickly. Side note, there is a zipped top version if you prefer!
What I like about this bag is that the interior offers a slim pocket that I use quite a bit. Otherwise, the interior isn’t separated, so you can be thoughtful about what you want to carry and if you want to use pouches for ease of use.
I forever share my love for an optional shoulder strap. It’s one of those odd little handbag hills I fight on, but the truth is, when a bag is heavier, it’s not really the most comfortable to have as an option because it really pulls on you. Fauré Le Page Daily Battle Tote does not come with a crossbody strap, but the two top handles are sturdy and long enough to easily slide over your shoulder. This is a big plus for me! Dimensions are 13.4″ W x 11.8″ H x 5.9″ D with a strap length of 9.4″.
Quality + Construction
This bag soars here! When I tell you I have been using this bag, I mean using it for anything and everything when it comes to outings that I need to carry more items. This bag has traveled with me, sat on countless baseball bleachers and benches, and still looks new. It’s come into contact with unfortunate spills and kids tugging at it to find their items, but it still looks new.
I love how the bag has kept its shape but loosened up a bit. It offers this slightly worn-in look while remaining fresh as well. The interior is also in very good condition, and overall, the bag shows very little wear, though it is one of the least coddled bags in my collection.
Price + Value
As bag prices rise across the board, finding a standout design that intrigues you and doesn’t break the bank is a rarity, but this bag does just that. The price of this bag is $1,490, which as you know, is a steal. While it is not full leather, there are leather accents and brand history. I actually really love that this bag feels familiar but entirely different, and it’s really nice the brand history is there as well.
Staying Power
While Fauré Le Page may not be the most known brand in the handbag world, it doesn’t take away from the fact that this brand came before other major Maisons we all know. Though many of us choose bags based on the brand and brand recognizability is important, I argue that having something that is less known is better. Since I have carried this bag, I’ve had many friends and people I’ve met ask about it, which says that many of us are looking for something different and unexpected.
Overall Rating
If you are in the market for an everyday tote, I’d tell you to look at this bag. The brand offers far more bags, but this is the bag that first drew me in and made me a fan, and it’s also a bag that will get a ton of use in your wardrobe if you carry ludicrously capacious bags like I do.