Dagne Dover Small Indi Overview

As part of the FW20 collection, Dagne Dover released two new Indi sizes—Small and Medium! I've filmed an in-depth look at the new Small size, and it includes a general overview, packing examples, side-by-side size comparisons, and fit tests for DD's smaller items. No modeling shots in this video—sorry! Motherhood has truly brought out my inner slob, and I didn't want to immortalize it. 😆

Dagne Dover Landon Comparison & Brief Review

Here's another long-overdue post—a comparison of all five Landon sizes (XS-XL)! I don't have packing photos for all five sizes currently, but I'll explain how I've used them in the past and share some side-by-side comparisons. Additional comparisons of the Landons alongside other Dagne Dover styles can be viewed here. (And if you're a new Dagne Dover customer, please consider clicking this link for 10% off your first purchase!)

Dagne Dover Mini Tote vs. Midi Tote

Onyx Stingray Leather Mini Tote, Prism Midi Tote (the true color is difficult to capture!)  

• Mini Tote: 13" L x 5" W x 10.5" H, 8" handle drop, 2.9 lb weight
• Midi Tote: 11.75" L x 5" W x 10.5" H, 8" handle drop, 2.4 lb weight

Although both of these styles have been discontinued by Dagne Dover, I wanted to show a quick comparison for anyone buying or selling one on the secondhand market. 

Two key characteristics of both versions are that the straps are held on with D-rings (as opposed to being stitched directly into the bag) and that they come with a crossbody strap. 

The Mini Tote was introduced in 2014 and discontinued on March 2nd, 2017. The front zip pocket was a defining characteristic of the Mini Totes. The bag can hold a large iPad in its tablet sleeve and a 13" laptop in the body of the bag. The straps of the Mini Totes from the original release have chains; later versions do not. The interior material primarily consists of coated canvas.

The Midi Tote was introduced on March 2nd, 2017 and was discontinued in 2019 following the release of the SS19 collection. The ends of the bag have less of a flared shape, and there is no longer an external zip pocket. The interior is a mix of coated canvas and polyester. A 12" MacBook fits in the body of the bag, but not in the tablet sleeve.

Both bags are 10.5" high according to past information from the DD website, but there's definitely a height difference between the two in person.

Mini Tote, Midi Tote, Small Allyn Tote, Small Wade

The Small Wade Diaper Tote is comparable in capacity and size to the Midi Tote. (Read more about the Wade here!)

Midi Tote in Prism

I've had my Onyx Stingray Leather Mini since 2016, and I wish I wouldn't have waited until 2020 to try a Midi. I feel like the Midi has held its shape better than the coated canvas Minis, and I love the silhouette and lighter weight. (And I would definitely recommend trying out a Stingray Leather Mini from SS16—they're gorgeous!)

If you'd like to see any additional comparisons, please let me know. (I also have a few more photos here.)

If you're looking to buy used Dagne Dover items, please consider using my Poshmark, Mercari, Tradesy, and/or thredUP referral codes to receive sign-up bonuses for yourself AND to support me and my shopping habit. It's greatly appreciated!

Poll: Bring Back Our Favorite Colors!

I've created a poll with just about all of Dagne Dover's past colors and patterns. Vote for up to five of the options you'd like to see return in the brand's latest styles. If enough of us vote, perhaps the Dagne team will take it under consideration—it's certainly worth a try!

Click here to vote (requires a Google account). Click here to view the current results. Please spread the word about this poll if you can!

(Personally, I would loooooove an Accordion Travel Wallet in Geo Mirage! XS Landons in Haze Camo, Quartz, and Prism would be a close second on my list.)

Dagne Dover Skye Essentials Pouch & Rae Roll-Top Dry Bag: First Impressions

Dagne Dover launched their Made For Summer collection on July 20th, 2020 and debuted four new styles: the Vida Tote (two sizes), the Skye Essentials Pouch, the Rae Roll-Top Bag, and the Tavi Cooler. (More info here!) Here are my initial thoughts on the two items I was most excited about from this collection—the Skye and the Rae.

The Rae

• 5.25” Diameter x 1” - 11”H
• Waterproof nylon material
• MSRP: $25.00

Evidenced by my first impressions post about the Axel Lunch Boxes, I don't always use bags for their intended purposes. The Rae is designed to be used as a dry bag, but I wanted to use it as a shoulder bag to take on walks; something fun that could protect my phone during a sudden downpour.

To give the bag some support, I left the circular foam packing insert in the bottom and added a neoprene water bottle holder from another Dagne Dover tote. Unless you add a taller item to the bag (like a Slim Wallet), the top will slouch over and protect the contents when the bag is set down.

You can use just about any strap with the Rae as long as you add two attachment points; zip ties, thick hair ties, tiny carabiner clips, or even Dagne Dover key clips will do the trick. The two clips I used are from the Neoprene Heather Skye pouch and a Quartz key leash.

Using the Rae for its intended purpose as a dry bag is simple—just pinch the top corners of the bag closed, roll down, and clip.

I knew from the first promotional image that I would like this bag, and I was right! I can't wait to use it.

Verdict: buy it! It's fun, versatile, and $25.

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The Skye

• 6” L x .5” W x 7.5” H
• MSRP: $35.00

The Skye bridges the functionality and style gap between the Scout Pouches and the (discontinued) Elle clutches, and the interior air mesh phone slip pocket is a welcome addition! It also has two card slots, a key clip, a lipgloss loop, and a velcro slip pocket.

Skye Essentials Pouch in Neoprene — Heather Gray

I'd say neoprene is the way to go! I had a chance to use the neoprene Skye when I left the house for a doctor's appointment. I packed my Accordion Travel Wallet, a small bottle of hand sanitizer, my phone, and a nitrile glove (and I could have fit another slim item or two if needed). I used the short strap from an Original Clutch Wallet to turn it into a wristlet, although the stretchy key leash from most of DD's neoprene bag styles would work just as well.


Skye Essentials Pouch in Natural — 100% Organic Cotton

I was excited about the introduction of the 100% organic cotton material to the Dagne Dover line-up, but now that I have my hands on it...the cotton isn't for me. The color is great and the pouch is well-made, but it's lumpy compared to its neoprene counterpart and it attracts pet hair like a magnet. Based on my own experience and after seeing other customer's photos of their Vida totes covered in lint and pet hair (even after being treated with scotch guard), I can't recommend this material unless you plan to use it in an animal-free environment.

• Vida Tote Thoughts: I hoped to purchase a Small Vida tote eventually, but for the reasons mentioned above, it isn't meant to be. (I also wish the bag had the brand's signature logo—the design feels incomplete without it!) I hope DD will release the Vida in neoprene and/or leather in the future. It's a great design full of features I know I'd love if it were made of just about any other material.

What I like about the Skye: It fits an Accordion Travel Wallet and has a variety of internal pockets/organizational features (including a cell phone slip pocket).

Things I don't like about the Skye:

• The interior card clip pockets are made of a thin/flimsy material, and I wish they were thicker! (This is something I don't like about the Mara Phone Sling as well.)
• The velcro interior pocket closure—personally, I'd really prefer a magnetic closure (like the closure on the Micah's back slip pocket, but smaller and weaker).

Verdict: it's practical! If you're buying the cotton version, though, proceed with caution.

Skye Size Reference Photos

Skye vs. Essentials Clutch Wallet 2.0

Skye vs. Small Elle Clutch (discontinued)

Accordion Travel Wallet in the Skye Essentials Pouch

Skye / Scout / Elle / Mara

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Did this post help you choose a Made for Summer item? Let me know what color you got! Leave me a comment here or on Instagram (@totesdagne).

Please let me know if you have any questions or requests for additional comparison photos—I'll do my best to help. If you decide to make a first-time purchase through Dagne Dover, please consider clicking this link for $20 off your first $100+ purchase! (If you make a qualifying purchase, Dagne Dover will gift me $20 in spending credit as part of their new Dagne Rewards program!) The link will take you to Dagne Dover's home page, where a unique $20 off code should pop up after a few seconds. 

If you're looking to buy used Dagne Dover items, please consider using my Poshmark, Mercari, Tradesy, and/or thredUP referral codes to receive sign-up bonuses for yourself AND to support me and my shopping habit. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Dagne Dover Essentials Clutch Wallet: 1.0 vs. 2.0

Have you ever wondered what the differences are between the old and new Dagne Dover Essentials Clutch Wallet designs? Read on!

• Dimensions: 9 ½ L” x 6 ¼ H”, 21 ½” - 23 ½” shoulder strap drop length
• ECW "2.0" MSRP: $135.00 ($175.00 for limited edition leather versions)

The original Essentials Clutch ("ECW 1.0") was released on March 2nd, 2017 as part of Dagne Dover's re-designed Signature Collection. The design was later modified and re-released as the Essentials Clutch 2.0 ("ECW 2.0") as part of the brand's FW19 collection, with new features including:

• Expanded zippered pocket compartments
• Addition of crossbody strap
• Additional side D-ring for crossbody wear
• Additional card slots (increased from four to eight)
• Interior body key clip moved to zip pocket interior

The overall width and length has not changed.

ECW 1.0

ECW 2.0

Key clip placement

ECW 1.0 in Nubian Rose, OCW in Linen, ECW 2.0 in Siren

The ECW 1.0 replaced the 2013 Original Clutch Wallet ("OCW") in 2017, and the 2.0 version re-introduces many of the features customers loved about the OCW design (more card slots, crossbody strap option, etc).

ECW 2.0 with alternate strap (Coach Dinky chain strap in Dark Gunmetal)

ECW 1.0 in Bleecker Blush with Coach Dinky 24 Chain Strap

ECW 1.0 with strap (Coach Dinky Strap in Gold)

The ECW 1.0 design has only one D-ring, but you can turn it into a crossbody bag by passing a strap through the black elastic lipgloss loop (as shown above).


I've also discovered a few 'hacks' to make the ECW 1.0 more practical. Behold!

Magnetic card holder from OCW

Accordion Travel Wallet in Bone — has magnetic closures

Access to back card slip pocket

Accordion Card Case in Lychee with Hearts — has magnetic closure

The Original Clutch Wallet still has my heart, but the ECW 2.0 definitely feels like a step in the right direction. I'd finally be sold on it if Dagne Dover re-introduced the magnetic card holder from the OG design—it was seriously a brilliant feature!

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Did this post help you choose your new Dagne Dover Essentials Clutch Wallet? Let me know what you got! Leave me a comment here or on Instagram (@totesdagne).

Please let me know if you have any questions or requests for additional comparison photos—I'll do my best to help. If you decide to make a first-time purchase through Dagne Dover, please consider clicking this link for $20 off your first $100+ purchase! (If you make a qualifying purchase, Dagne Dover will gift me $20 in spending credit as part of their new Dagne Rewards program!) The link will take you to Dagne Dover's home page, where a unique $20 off code should pop up after a few seconds. 

If you're looking to buy used Dagne Dover items, please consider using my Poshmark, Mercari, Tradesy, and/or thredUP referral codes to receive sign-up bonuses for yourself AND to support me and my shopping habit. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Dagne Dover Andra vs. Epic Crossbody: Comparison and Review

I reviewed the Small and Large Andras in depth on Totes Dagne in early 2019 (see it here!), but with the recent release of the Epic Crossbody style, I wanted to compare the three in depth. I've uploaded an overview on Youtube and will share additional details here. Many of my thoughts regarding the Andras are copied or paraphrased from my previous review.

The video has no narration and includes various size comparisons, packing examples, and a strap length adjustment demonstration. Please consider setting the video quality to 1080p for a better viewing experience.

• Small Andra Specs: L 8” x H 5.25” x W 2”, .8 lbs, 21" - 22.5" crossbody strap drop length
• Epic Crossbody Specs: L 7.75” x H 6” x W 2.75”, .9 lbs, 20" crossbody strap drop length, 4.5" handle
• Medium Andra Specs: L 9 ½” x H 6 ¾” x W 3 ½”, 1.4 lbs, 21" - 23" crossbody strap drop length

A few things to note:

• The leather on the Andras is quite stiff and rigid
• With the exception of certain limited edition styles (such as Holographic Leather and Block Party Print), the Epic Crossbody is made of coated canvas with leather trim and an interior mix of coated canvas and polyester. The lower back of the bag appears to be made of a smooth leather.
• The Small Andra and Epic Crossbody have a key clip instead of a key leash
• The Andras are meant to be worn crossbody, but because I don't care for the straps they come with, I substituted the original crossbody straps with the straps from my Coach Dinky 24 bags (as the thinner Coach straps can be brought/doubled through the side loops to create a much shorter strap length); the short strap from the Epic can also be used as an alternate option.
• My iPhone 7 fits in the back slip pocket of the Epic and both Andra sizes (provided the body of the bag isn't too overstuffed).

When I saw the Epic pop up during the FW19 release, I immediately wondered what it meant for the Andras. Can these two very similar styles co-exist within the Dagne Dover line-up, or is the Epic meant to become the Andra's replacement? The FW19 sale section is still chock-full of Small and Medium Andras, and they weren't released in this most recent season's colorways—a first for both sizes. On the other hand, the Epic Crossbody was released in three SS20 colorways; Pomelo, Lime (with an exclusive short resin chain strap), and Block Party Print in Leather. It will be interesting to see how this plays out over future releases.

I don't own a regular coated canvas Epic Crossbody, but I do own one of the limited edition leather versions in Block Party Print. The leather feels thinner/more flexible on the Epic than the Andras, which could be due in part to the polyester lining. (This also helps reduce the overall stiffness of the bag, which I appreciate.) The Epic comes with a short handheld strap as well as a non-adjustable crossbody strap. I love hand-carrying bags and never cared for the adjustable Andra crossbody straps, so both strap designs are winners to me!

The Andra and the Epic are great for quick errands and for going out to dinner. These bags definitely require an intentional packing strategy. Small, modular items are the key to unlocking the potential of the Small Andra and Epic Crossbody in particular. If you'd prefer to wear these at shoulder bag height, I would suggest investing in a Coach Dinky chain strap (or something similar) that can be doubled up through the D-ring to reduce the strap's length.

If you're no stranger to packing light, either one of these styles could be a good match for you. If you prefer to bring ALL the things, I suspect the size and rigidness of these styles might drive you nuts in no time. 😜  Keep an eye on the Sale section for discounted seasonal colors if you're looking to try one out at a lower price—as of the time of writing, there are Small Andras for $99 (normally $155), Medium Andras for $119 (normally $195), and Epics for $89 (normally $145).

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Did this post help you choose an Andra or Epic Crossbody? Let me know what color you got! Leave me a comment here or on Instagram (@totesdagne).

Please let me know if you have any questions or requests for additional comparison photos—I'll do my best to help. If you decide to make a first-time purchase through Dagne Dover, please consider clicking this link for $20 off your first $100+ purchase! (If you make a qualifying purchase, Dagne Dover will gift me $20 in spending credit as part of their new Dagne Rewards program!) The link will take you to Dagne Dover's home page, where a unique $20 off code should pop up after a few seconds. 

If you're looking to buy used Dagne Dover items, please consider using my Poshmark, Mercari, Tradesy, and/or thredUP referral codes to receive sign-up bonuses for yourself AND to support me and my shopping habit. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Dagne Dover Small / Large Lola: Comparison and Review

I'm long overdue for a Lola review! I decided to go the video route with this one, and I've included some additional information and thoughts in this post. The video has no narration and includes packing tests, size comparisons, and instructions for adding a strap to your Lola (to create a "Frankendagne"—more on that here if you're interested!) Consider setting the video quality to 1080p for a better viewing experience.

Small Lola

• 8”L x 5 ¼”H x 3 ¾”W
• MSRP: $75.00

Although I recently moved to a small Scout pouch for this purpose, I found the Small Lola to be an excellent holder for smaller items I want to easily switch between purses: hand sanitizer, pills, Kleenex, individual wet ones packs, lipglosses/chapsticks, pens, earbuds, purse hook, a regular-sized BAGGU bag, and other essential items. It also fits nicely in Dagne Dover's other leather bags (including the Ava and Small Allyn).

Large Lola

• 10” L x 6 ½”H x 4 ½”W
• MSRP: $105.00

I've seen the Lola advertised as a clutch sometimes over the years, but I didn't really 'get' the appeal until I tried it. I'm a musician and use an Onyx Charlie Tote as an instrument bag and a Large Lola to hold supplies on stage. My husband offered to take my instruments home after a recital so I could get lunch with my fellow musicians unencumbered, so I loaded my phone/iPad/wallet in the Large Lola. It was surprisingly nice to carry as a clutch and easy to keep on my lap during the meal.

I use my Large Lola in Haze Camo to store my reed-making supplies. It fits on top of my instrument case inside the Charlie Tote if I need to take my supplies with me.

The Large Lola in Onyx made its on-stage debut in April. I love that it matches my Charlie and looks less conspicuous on stage than the Graphite Lola I used previously.


Frankendagnes

Coach offers chain straps for $35 in Light Gold, Silver, Black Copper, and Dark Gunmetal. For more information about adding a strap to your Lolas (and other strapless DD bags), click here!



Additional Packing Test Shots

Small Lola in Small Landon

Small Lola in Ava Bucket Bag

Small Lola in Small Allyn

Small Lola in Small Dakota

Thoughts

While the Lola Pouches might not be an "essential" Dagne Dover piece to own (the neoprene Hunter pouches do have a similar silhouette at a lower price point, after all), they're versatile and elegant and I would absolutely recommend you try one out. Keep an eye on the Sale page for seasonal colors at a steep discount—when I wrote my original draft of this post several months ago, the costs for the remaining FW19 colors were $49 for the Small (normally $75) and $59 for the Large (normally $105).

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Did this post help you choose a Lola Pouch? Let me know what color you got! Leave me a comment here or on Instagram (@totesdagne).

Please let me know if you have any questions or requests for additional comparison photos—I'll do my best to help. If you decide to make a first-time purchase through Dagne Dover, please consider clicking this link for $20 off your first $100+ purchase! (If you make a qualifying purchase, Dagne Dover will gift me $20 in spending credit as part of their new Dagne Rewards program!) The link will take you to Dagne Dover's home page, where a unique $20 off code should pop up after a few seconds. 

If you're looking to buy used Dagne Dover items, please consider using my Poshmark, Mercari, Tradesy, and/or thredUP referral codes to receive sign-up bonuses for yourself AND to support me and my shopping habit. Your support is greatly appreciated!