The Banana Republic Ashbury tote vs. The Loeffler Randall Shopper


Good afternoon, friends. It's cold outside and I think all of us are going into weather shock. Seems like we all need bigger closets to accommodate an ever changing wardrobe...cray.

But since it technically is Spring, you know want some new stuff. About a month or two ago, a friend of mine asked about the perfect black tote, and though I am late in answering her pocketbook prayers, I think I've found just the thing.

I admittedly get lucky at Banana Republic for totes sometimes- they're always well priced and super stylish and simple. (I'm pretty excited about the new CD starting there by the way...her J. Crew pedigree should serve her well, and not a moment too soon...) I spotted this Ashbury perforated tote and fell in love with it, and it comes in white (very very chic) and of course, the all purpose black. At $140, it's a great price and is a nice, unstructured carryall for basics- though not great for anything much heavier than a Macbook Air- this tote is strictly for tooling around town and less "all business".  The whole perforated trend  is very much a "thing" (has been for a few seasons now) as evidenced by all the holey sweaters and sandals we've seen of late.

 And to affirm that the BR bag is way on point, cool chick brand Loeffler Randall's Shopper version is also awesome (it's the one with the pouch shown outside of the bag) and perhaps better suited to heavier cargo, but at $395, it's almost three times the price. Choose your poison ladies. But if I were you, I'd head to Banana and have some money left over for a cool pair of shoes. Banana for the (well priced) crown. And the BR version also has a pouch, so good for your lipstick, phone, etc. And for that, I'm poking holes in the theory you have to spend more money to look fabulous. Pun very much intended.

Cause that's what's up this comparison shopper of a Wednesday in the wacky weathered 212. Yours, in perfect perforations. XO