Most tote bags are an afterthought. Embroidered ones are not. There is something about a bag with actual craft in it that changes the whole character of an outfit, even a simple one. A white tee and jeans reads completely differently when the bag on your shoulder has colour and texture and someone’s evident care stitched into it. That’s what we kept noticing when we put this collection together.

We were specifically looking for embroidered totes that hold up to daily use rather than ones you feel too precious to actually carry. Good structure. Proper straps that don’t cut in. Enough room for the things you genuinely need to carry around. The embroidery should be the point, not a minor detail on an otherwise forgettable bag.

What we found ranges from florals done in rich saturated thread to more graphic folk inspired designs that feel genuinely distinctive rather than mass produced. Some are understated. Some are bold enough to anchor the whole look around them.

The right tote does real work and still looks considered. These ones manage both without compromising either.