In the last year, few trends have been as covetable or as widespread as the quiet luxury trend. By now, it needs no introduction, and even with the tidal waves moving towards more maximalist trends like the mob wife aesthetic and the many bows of balletcore, fashion’s collective obsession with quiet luxury shows no signs of slowing down.
For the minimalists among us, there’s no time like the present to add the clean lines and old-money feel of understated pieces into rotation. True minimalism is achieved when a bag is so incognito that it remains under the radar to most. While The Row’s Margaux Bag is currently having a major moment, the brand is one of the best examples of quiet luxury as a whole.
This minimalist movement has also spotlighted brands that were once more under the radar, like Stocklholm-based Totême, a favorite of Katie Holmes, Jennifer Lawrence, and more. Both brands boast an enviable line-up of bags and have become a favorite of the street-style set.
It just so happens that they also both offer a version of the popular, body-hugging Banana bag, and we’re here to unpack them both in a fresh bag battle.
Let’s get to it!
The Row Banana
A favorite of stars like Kendall Jenner, Jennifer Lawrence, and Zoey Kravitz, The Row’s Banana bag was launched in 2019, and at first, it was a bit of a sleeper style. The slouchy shape with its clean, curved lines was a bit ahead of its time, but like the brand as a whole, it’s currently having a moment of its own.
The Row Banana Bag is crafted from smooth calfskin leather, meant to age perfectly with wear; it’s finished with an adjustable strap and top-zipped closure. Lined in suede, the overall dimensions of the small version are 4.7″ L x 13.75″ W x 7″ D. While the classic black leather version shown below is the most popular (it’s currently sold out at most retailers or only available to pre-order), there are other color and fabrications offered as well, like nylon and suede.
Totême Scoop Bag
New this season from Totême is the Scoop bag, which offers the same slouchy, body-hugging design as The Row’s Banana bag but at a much more accessible price point (it’s under $1,000!).
Totême’s brand DNA also offers a quiet appeal similar to The Row, and this bag features the same clean aesthetic as its other bags, this time with soft curved lines.
This new bag features strong craftsmanship and is set to be a new signature for Totême. Made from full-grain Palmellata leather, its slim silhouette and adjustable strap allow for shoulder or crossbody wear.
The interior is small but features two card slots, so you can skip the card case, though the overall dimensions of 7.5 L” x 13.8″ W x 7″ D are very similar to The Row’s offering.
This is a battle of two (banana) bags…which one wins?
I like Totême’s shape but the leather is stiffer so I don’t think it can fit as much as The Row.
In the battle of Banana bags, the winner is Chemena Kamali’s Chloé for being the real Banana bag (and Uniqlo!).
The Toteme Scoop Leather Shoulder Bag is very nice, but extremely thin. What does it hold?
The Uniqlo bag for even less.
The Toteme bag doesn’t look as slouchy or squishy as the Row’s offering, and for me, the appeal is really in the slouch – I wouldn’t want this bag to actually hold its banana shape against my body, that would look quite stiff and clumsy. Not sure if anyone has the Toteme and can comment.
I really really want to love these. But they look like one of those mommy baby slings
Especially The Row’s Banana. I just can’t get past that.
They do seem super practical.
Polene Numero Dix is better than both of these and costs under $500 …
Where do you find it for under $500? I just went to their website and depending on the leather it is $580 (pebbled) and $650 (smooth) & shipping is $20, but no tax is collected. Nonetheless, Polene has incredible bags at amazing prices. (Unfortunately, while they were still under the radar they cost $400. However, I can’t complain because based on other designers their prices are still very affordable).
Apologies, it defaulted to a European site and gave the price in euros (470 euros, as I recall).
2022 pricing had it under $500 but with their popularity they had to increase their prices. It really is an amazing bag.
I really love both brands for clothing, Toteme’s clothing is truly well made beautiful pieces. I do not own a Toteme bag but if their bags are as nice as the clothing you may want to consider it.
I got a bunch of their bags and the general quality is good. There are small details that aren’t perfect though. I’m a very attention to detail person so likely most people wouldn’t even notice. Overall they’re decent bags, they are very functional.
Those are nice but in case anyone is interested, a much cheaper alternative is one of these Men’s cross body vegan bags from Zara:
https://www.zara.com/us/en/man-bags-crossbody-l573.html
“COS” makes a bag just like the large “The Row” banana bag. It’s genuine leather. “Arket”also makes a nice sling bag in genuine leather or suede. Honestly this isn’t a style I’d use long term so for myself not worth the money.