Brands can only dream to attain instant icon status with a new bag release, but that is precisely what happened when Maria Grazia Chiuri introduced the Dior Book Tote as part of the brand’s Spring/Summer 2018 collection. From the moment the Book Tote joined the bag world, it became a modern-day it-bag. The original size was the largest size and quickly took over as the go-to large carryall tote, from those who need to carry more every day to the quintessential travel companion.
The love for Dior’s Book Tote makes sense; our penchant for a carry-all bag that still embodies the casual elegance and designer appeal is all bundled into one with this bag. The savoir-faire and the various motifs and colors that are released each season continue to make this bag one of the most beloved bags to many.
You can also refer to our previous Dior Book Tote Guide for more information on available leathers and materials.
Which Size of Book Tote Is Right for You?
The success of the Book Tote allowed for an expansion of the line, and quickly after the immediate success of the original, new sizes followed. Most recently, Dior added the small size, which rounded out the line with four options: mini, small, medium, and large.
You may often wonder which Dior Book Tote is the right size for you (especially between the medium and the small), and we are here to help! Each size works for different lifestyles and needs, so we set each bag up to show you what ideally fits inside.
The Large Book Tote
This is the bag that started the craze and quickly became the haul-all bag for fashion-loving travelers around the globe. The large Dior Book Tote is meant to carry everything you need. You’ll find it atop carry-on bags and see it on vacations. Because this bag is so light, you can still add more items to carry without weighing yourself down. Add a pair of shoes, a book, your laptop, and a change of clothes, and you’ll still find ample room to tote what you need.
Dimensions of the large size are 42 x 35 x 18.5 cm or 16.5 x 14 x 7.5 inches.
The Medium Book Tote
Though this tote is meant to hold everything, plenty of people wanted a bag a bit less cumbersome that could still carry ample items. Enter the medium Dior Book Tote. This bag will still carry your 16″ laptop computer, but it’s more manageable in size. I call this bag the ideal mom bag. You still need your kids’ items and everyday essentials, but you don’t want the bag to weigh you down, and this is a great size for that.
Dimensions of the medium size are 36 x 27.5 x 16.5 cm, 14 x 11 x 5.5 inches.
The Small Book Tote
The most recent size addition is the small, which is what I like to call the perfect size. You can still fit plenty of items, including work or kids items, but it’s all more compact. This bag can join you for brunch and your day on the town. It’s light, spacious, but not oversized, and it was really the ideal addition to the Dior Book Tote family.
Dimensions of the small size are 26.5 x 21 x 14 cm, 10.5 x 8.5 x 5.5 inches.
The Mini Book Tote
From the large to the mini, you’ll find each possesses the highly coveted Dior aesthetic. The mini size of the Book Tote is for the person who doesn’t need to carry much, who is on top of style trends, and loves a small bag. Most importantly, it still fits your phone, which for me is a must in any bag.
Dimensions of the mini size are 22.5 x 15 x 6 cm, 9 x 6 x 2.5 inches.
Prices and Availability
Every season, Dior releases new versions of its now iconic Book Tote line. You can visit a Dior boutique or shop online for any of these bags. The Dior Oblique pattern is the most classic, especially in this blue embroidered colorway. As of July 2022, prices for this embroidered Dior Book tote are as follows:
Mini: $2,550 | Small: $3,250 | Medium: $3,350 | Large: $3,500
Prices vary slightly depending on the materials and finish of each Book Tote, explore more on Dior.com.
I will never understand the appeal of this bag. Why would anyone want to carry such in-your-face logo?
Me too! I so want to want it but the giant logo prevents me pulling the trigger on this purchase. Sad.
I’ve noticed that a lot of brands are coming out with their own renditions of the book tote, with less in your face branding. Here are two examples, one at a very reasonable price point:
https://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/furla-opportunity-jacquard-logo-tote-bag-prod245560052?childItemId=NMV57TN_
https://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/etro-globetrotter-paisley-embroidered-shopping-tote-bag-prod252400273
That Etro bag is beautiful and I like the addition of beadwork to the pattern. It’s quite pricey for an Etro bag but they have several other fabric shopping totes available for well under $1000, including a few on sale.
The Furla one is interesting too, esp as the “f” in the pattern also looks like classical arches, so the branding is not that obvious.
FWIW, now might be the time for American and Swiss shoppers to buy — both of those countries’ currencies are pretty strong at the moment so you might save buying in euros. For example, with the Etro bag, I would save hundreds I bought it in Europe. (If bought in US, price is $2290 plus tax if applicable; Euro price is 1590, which is roughly 1660 USD)
I love the boxy look, and some of the designs are cool too, but I can’t get over the giant logo. Same bag without the logo I’d buy without a second thought despite the price tag.
Same for me! If it didn’t have that obnoxious “Christian Dior” banner in the middle, I would love this bag.
I have a medium size tote – I bought an organizer, scotch guarded it, and adore it. Agree that it fits A LOT!
I have the same size – and did the same thing. It’s a GREAT bag!!
I still have no idea how people keep these bags clean. Miraculously, I have never seen one dirty or stained irl.
Aucha a large disparity in price between mini and small but only a hundred or so dollars difference between small-med-large. If i only have one option, i will pick the small size. If i need it for laptop, i will pick medium. Will never buy in large or mini as i dont think they will serve me any purpose on those sizes.
Same here i never buy the mini and large sizes too. I always like the in between size (example: 30/35 for the birkin and 28/32/35 for the kelly). The small and medium still has a big gap for me similar to the mini and medium size fendi peekaboo. Im always torn whether to go small or a little bigger for the medium size. I have a hard time deciding.
Last month, my husband saw me looking at the small version of this bag. He stopped and said I like that bag. Surprised me as he never says a thing about any bag I’m contemplating. I like it, too, but not enough to purchase.
I have looked and watched many reviews on this bag but it always looks so flimsy to me, no substance. I am fine with paying designer prices when I feel a bag is worth it, this just isn’t.