As a city girl with a lot of stuff, I’ve gone through my fair share of work totes—leather totes, slouchy totes, totes big enough to fit a giant planner, a packed lunch, and a return package I need to ship off—all in an effort to find the perfect daily bag. I’ve found some really functional ones over the years, but hadn’t found a really stylish option that didn’t cost an arm and a leg until I came across this suede bag while writing our Quince review.
Let’s be honest: What caught my eye is that it’s verrryyyy similar to The Row’s Suede Bindle bag. But! It’s not the exact same silhouette (aka a knock-off) so wear it with pride! You’re not like other girls! (Jk, I am exactly like other girls and I love it.) I also had questions: Would the $130 bag look cheaper in real life? Was it practical enough, with space for all of my junk? Would its perfect slouchiness equal a lack of the structure I needed for laptop-supporting purposes? Time to find out!
Is it real suede? How's the quality?
Yes! The bag is made of 100% Italian calf suede made in a Leather Working Group certified tannery, which means that they're working on reducing energy and water waste. It may be a tote bag but it feels a million times more luxurious than my usual canvas totes, and the structured bottom has held up nicely even when I load up the bag with a gigantic water bottle, seven lipsticks, a paperback book, and a MacBook.
As for colors, it's available in the shade Chocolate (a slightly darker brown than my bag, which is in the currently out-of-stock shade Whiskey) and Sand, a lighter beige suede colorway that I have my eye on.
this bag is available in two gorgeous shades
Quince Italian Suede Slouchy Shoulder Bag in Sand
Quince Italian Suede Slouchy Shoulder Bag in Chocolate Brown
And yes, it's a vibe twin (aka not exactly the same, but similar in ~essence~) to Dakota Johnson's favorite Bindle Bag that she's been spotted with over and over. If I can't have Dakota's gorgeous green kitchen, I'll settle for this purse! I even found Quince's verison to be better for me since it's more shallow, which I actually appreciate since it means less time digging for my keys while still holding everything I need.
What about the dimensions & size?
The bag measures 11" (height) x 17.5" (width) x 4.75" (depth), with a 11" shoulder strap drop that I LOVE. Nothing worse than trying to fit a too-short strap over a jacket sleeve or puffy coat. There's also an internal zip pocket as well as a bigger slip pocket that's perfect for holding my little card case (it always manages to get lost at the bottom of my purse).
What about the leather version?
I also got my hands on Quince's leather slouchy bag in the shade Mink, hoping that it would be similar to the iconic Coach Brooklyn bag that Bella Hadid is constantly photographed carrying around. And honestly, I didn’t feel the same love I had for its suede sister.
Even though both are the exact same pattern and structure, the leather felt stiff rather than supple, and lay awkwardly on my shoulder. Something about the fabric just didn’t sit right, making it look cheaper. It isn't available on the site anymore, but it's worth noting that seeing the two fabrications side by side just made me appreciate the suede version even more.
Is it worth the cost?
YES. It takes a lot to impress me but I'm honestly considering buying a second one in a different color to swap out with various outfits. The bag is beautiful, sturdier than I expected, and just big enough. Buy one for your mom, your grandma, your really cool coworker—maybe Dakota Johnson would be interested in one of these Quince bags, too?!
Hannah is the Shopping Editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things from chic home decor to trendy fashion finds, TikTok products that are actually worth your $$$, and the perfect gift to buy for your boyfriend's mom. She previously wrote for Seventeen and CR Fashion Book. Follow her on Instagram for hot takes on red carpet fashion and pictures of her office outfits that nobody asked for.
