Polene Le Cabas Tote Review

Happy Monday! I thought I would kick off the week with a highly requested review of the Polene Le Cabas Tote. I’ve had this bag for a few months now, and having had the chance to put it through its paces, I figured now would be a good time to finally download on all my thoughts.

Wearing Mott & Bow tee (under a…); & Other Stories knit sweater; Witchery jeans (also love these); Everlane pointed toe flats; Polene Le Cabas Tote Bag; Missoma earrings; Mejuri necklace; Rosefield watch

I’ve talked a bit about how a monument shift in lifestyle over the past year has really driven not just what I wear, but the bags that I use. And the main thing I’ve noticed? That I’m reaching for two types of bags; a small-medium crossbody bag, and a large oversized tote. Which is where the Le Cabas comes in…

QUICK FACTS

Price: $490 USD or $750 AUD
Available in 6 colours: black, cognac, camel, bordeaux, chalk, and taupe (pictured above/below)
Made in: Spain
Fabric: Full-grain textured calf leather with suede-effect interior
Care: Avoid contact with water. Apply a clear, nourishing milk or cream three times per year, and
When not worn, keep away from light and moisture in order to ensure proper care. It can be padded using silk paper or newspaper.

POLENE LE CABAS REVIEW

SIZE | First up let’s talk size. You can probably see from the photos that this is quite a generous tote. I’m 172cm tall, and I sometimes find it looks a little large against my frame, so often prefer to wear the sides tucked in (more on this soon). This does mean that you can fit a lot inside though, but I do find that despite the angled sides, it can end up looking a little lumpy depending on how you pack it. The straps are a nice length. I like that they comfortably fit on my shoulders, even when wearing a bulky sweater or coat. And bonus points – the straps stay put too.

QUALITY | How many times do you need me to tell you how superb the quality of Polene bags is? It’s a bit of a given at this point, and this holds up when compared with all my other bags from the brand. Instead of being structured, the Polene Le Cabas is made from a soft calf leather with a grain to it. This is great because it’ll conceal any minor scuffs (none on mine yet!), and the soft nature of the leather moulds around the items you’ve packed inside. Stitches are straight and even, logo is straight, details symmetrical. Can’t fault the quality at all.

DESIGN | As far as tote bags go, the Polene Le Cabas is unique in shape. Narrower at the base, with angled sides which open in width as you get nearer to the top. Safe to say, it makes for interesting packing. Practically, I think the larger opening and smaller base could result in a top-heavy approach to stacking the bag (though it is perfect for stashing lightweight knits and the like). Aesthetically, I love the way it looks, and that it can be worn a trio of ways. Either fully open, with the sides snapped shut, or with the sides tucked in to create a “hobo” style shape. The third being my preference, as I like how it looks relative to the size of my frame. And it’s more practical to pack.

Inside the bag, there isn’t a single pocket. Or even a pouch for essentials. This is the major downfall of the bag, for me at least. The shape also means it’s an awkward design to put an organiser in (though you could totally go for it if you wished!). With the leather being so soft, you’ll also note that objects will “distort” the smooth appearance of the leather when worn; and you can see an example of the “lumps” in the images above. Finally, there is a single snap closure at the centre (meaning the sides are open), and feet at the base to protect the leather.

WHAT FITS INSIDE?

I haven’t taken any photos, but I thought I’d share what I’m able to fit inside the Le Cabas. With room to spare! I’ve mostly used the Le Cabas on days where I want to take one bag with me, or as a nappy bag tucked under the pram. I’ll pop in a…. change mat, zipped pouch with 4 nappies and wet wipes, baby sunscreen, a water bottle, notebook, sunglasses, wallet, keys, lip products, hat (for me and bubs), and a light knit. And like I said, the bag is not even full.

If you weren’t using it as a baby bag, you could also fit in a decent sized laptop (13 inch), a book, and a small lunchbox. And during the colder months, a beanie, gloves and scarf. You can also easily get a DSLR camera in here too.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Some of my most reached for bags come from Polene. I think what draws me to the brand is that there’s generally a good balance between interesting design and practicality. Oh, and the quality is always there. The Polene Le Cabas doesn’t disappoint either. The design is unique for a start. And while I would say that it’s not as “practical” as a rectangular tote to pack, that hasn’t been a deterrent for use. I adore the taupe colour I picked out, which is a nice cool-toned neutral.

You’ll probably know by now that I don’t really baby my bags. Despite regular use, mine has yet to mark up (ie. no dirt marks) and there isn’t a single scratch. The leather is soft but still has structure. Completely empty, it stands up on its own (and when filled, too). I don’t mind the single snap closure at the centre, and actually find that this is ample security when the sides are tucked in.

My biggest complaint is around the lack of structure on the interior of the bag. A small detachable pouch would have been a welcome addition, and could have easily been fastened to the base so as to not alter the actual shape in any way. Plus, that sort of add-on is a nice touch. Mostly I try to get around this my carefully organising the bag, but when you’re in a rush, throwing it all in can sometimes make it feel like you’re retrieving belongings from a bottomless pit (not dissimilar from other totes)!

The fact that the straps don’t slip off my shoulder is also really handy. If I’ve got a baby on one arm, not having to worry about whether my bag is going to slip down my other arm is a welcome reprieve.

As a larger tote bag, the Le Cabas is a beautiful option. Much more unique than your typical tote, and the versatility it offers makes it feel a little like you’re getting “two bags in one”. Plus, it’s the kind of style that you could take from work to weekend.

I hope that you found this Polene Le Cabas review helpful. If you have any other questions about the bag not answered above, let me know in the comments.