Some bags quickly rise to iconic cult status, and that’s exactly what happened when Maria Grazia Chiuri introduced the Dior Book Tote as part of the brand’s Spring/Summer 2018 collection. The Book Tote was inspired by a drawing produced by Marc Bohan in 1967, which was located in the House’s archives. The bag is simple enough in aesthetics and silhouette, but the original embroidered version requires more than thirty-seven hours of work and 1,500,000 stitches to be completed. The shape may be simplistic, but the overall design and impeccable craftsmanship encompass everything that Dior’s brand DNA stands for.
Immediately after this bag was introduced, it became a favorite amongst fashion-forward jet-setters, influencers, celebs, and handbag lovers alike. The bag is as functional as it is iconic, and it essentially works as a carryall for travel or daily use. Since its original release, the brand has added two smaller sizes and countless fabrications and colors, including multiple limited edition versions. Dior continues to keep things fresh by releasing numerous new designs, and we’ve compiled a guide to the brand’s current offerings, though the resale market is also chock full of previous iterations.
If you liked this guide be sure to check out some of our other guides like our Ultimate Bag Guide to the Dior Saddle Bag, the Ultimate Bag Guide to Bottega Veneta’s The Pouch or the Ultimate International Price Guide to the Chanel Classic Flap Bag.
Dior Book Tote
Introduced: Spring 2018
Sizes Currently Available: Mini Dior Book Tote, Small Dior Book Tote, Dior Book Tote
Most Recent Price Increase: January 2020
Retailers: Dior Boutiques, Dior.com and store-in-store locations only. Pre-loved: Fashionphile, Vestiaire Collective, Rebag
Sizes
Mini Dior Book Tote
Dimensions: 8.9″L x 9.5″W x 3.5″D
Pricing: $2,200 in Oblique Embroidery
Small Dior Book Tote
Dimensions: 11″L x 14.4″W x 6.9″D
Pricing: $2,650 in Oblique Embroidery, $2,750 in Black and White Houndstooth Embroidery, $2,800 in Calfskin and Black and Beige Bayadère Embroidery, $3,250 in White Camouflage Embroidery with Multicolor Flowers
Dior Book Tote
Dimensions: 13.8″L x 16.4″W x 7.1″D
Pricing: $2,750 in Dior Oblique Embroidery, $3,000 in Dior Oblique Embroidered Denim, $3,000 in White Toile de Jouy Embroidery, $3,150 in Camouflage Embroidery, $3,700 in Dior Oblique Embossed Calfskin
Leathers and Materials
Common and Seasonal Colors
Alternate Views
I feel like the important question is if it rose to popularity because of all the influencers and celebrities who were gifted this bag then bombarded social media with it, making it look like an ultra popular bag, then Dior limited the production of it to then try to hype up demand even more…
Was it ever sold out? I always found it available (from Dior, not 2nd hand), except for specific colors sometimes but that’s any bag, really.
That said, yes they made a huuuge influencer/celeb push. Can’t argue with results I guess, lol, it worked for them!
I still think it was positioned well as a “I’m showing off but NOT carrying Louie or Goyard” for the travel tote world. There’s a bunch of other totes of course, but high-end-wise, it was a good play/timing I think. Lord knows people enjoy “travel fashion”, on instagram and off.
It was very limited at the beginning of the launch, at least for the monogram. I understand that there were waitlists for it and people had to wait months to get it.
I know, right? And we, the one who are actually the real customers are looking like a fool carrying this bag. LOL!
?I’m 1 of the happy idiot who just bought the small book Tote Toile de Jouy? & no regrets at all!
Can you get your name on it somehow like I see celebs and influencers have?!
Yes you can. If they have a show, you can get it done in-house for a 3-day to a week. Otherwise, it will have to be sent to France which can take up to a few weeks. It does come with a cost and a lot of limitation, e.g. the mini will allow only 3 letters, etc.
I know it’s offered, but not sure when/where. Let me check for you!
I heard that it cost an additional $250.
This probably sounds ridiculous, but imo this bag is much nicer in person than photographs led me to believe. I caved and bought the Lunar New Year limited edition print, and the embroidery work is gorgeous in person, in a way that is difficult to capture.
I got my Dior Tote in February from my upcoming trips…now it sits staring at me asking what did do wrong to never leave the house or country. I love my bag.
Me too! One day everyone will be able to travel, again. However, prior to the lockdown I took mine out and it wears well. I don’t understand the comments re: that it’s a “flex bag” or that “the material frays”? It’s not heavy to carry, even full, and it doesn’t fray. Perhaps that’s the opinion of someone who doesn’t have one and simply assumes that to be the case.
It doesn’t have a closing, but I like that since I’m able to easily pull out things I need. (I keep my wallet at the bottom and put stuff on top to prevent theft, but good luck trying to reach in without my noticing anything or breaking someone’s arm trying). Ha! Also, the large tote fits my 5’10” tall, thin frame so it doesn’t look “huge” when I carry it. Perhaps it would with a petite in stature woman, but idk.
I have the purse organizer in mine. I am 6’0″ so I agree maybe on our taller frames it looks “normal”. But either way I love it. Any bag over $2000 is going to be a “flex” bag…this whole site has flex bags. My material has yet to fray. I scotch guarded my bag too. Glad we can agree 🙂
I have the purse organizer in mine. I am 6’0″ so I agree maybe on our taller frames it looks “normal”. But either way I love it. Any bag over $2000 is going to be a “flex” bag…this whole site has flex bags. My material has yet to fray. I scotch guarded my bag too. Glad we can agree 🙂
Hi! What do u mean u scotch guarded ur bag? To weather protect it?
Hi! Scotch Guard build a clear protective layer on fabric. It won’t absorb water, no one can spill wine on it. It repels all dirt and liquid.
Did that too before with my Anya H bag and it still looked new when i handed it to my sister. Was thinking of doing it again when i get to purchase my small book tote.
The embroidery work is truly beautiful on these bags, and in person it makes them stand out so much! It’s what continues to sell me on the design
I have tried this bag in person and didn’t find it functional in any size. It’s a gorgeous bag, but it’s too stiff and the handles are too short. If I didn’t mind the fact that it wasn’t functional, I would get a mini in the traditional blue Dior print.
This bag was made solely for flexing because I really don’t see it as a functional bag unless you use it for groceries shopping. The logo is not appropriate to use for work, the material frays, and there are no pockets, not closure system.
lol absolutely. I saw one in the elevator at the Wynn and it was huge, you couldn’t look at anything but it. Looked like the daily bags the aunties carry in the islands. I don’t mind that at all but the girl carrying it seemed burdened by its size and the handles look impractical. Flex away!
Agreed! It looks like an oversized reusable shopping bag for a higher financial lane. I wouldn’t bring a designer bag to the beach but if money ain’t a thang then maybe my answer would differ.
The price is ridiculous for what it is.
The houndstooth is nice, but the logo is hidious.
Not going to wear well either.
Does it come with shoulder straps? Because otherwise I cannot understand what’s exactly functional about it. You just carry around a large and heavy grocery bag