If you've been following the Discontinued Styles page here on Totes Dagne, you
may have noticed quite a few items crept their way onto the list. Many
of them happen to be my all-time favorite styles! Instead of writing a detailed
review for each style (if I haven't already), I'd like to share a few photos and thoughts about all of them in one post. This post has been well over two years in the making, by the
way 🌚
As much as I love Dagne's leather bags, I understand the shift to neoprene. I
know I couldn't have built the collection I have without buying their leather
bag styles second-hand. Zero of my Charlies (or Simones!) were purchased through
Dagne Dover directly, and the two Avas I did purchase through the website were
heavily discounted during a sample sale. Although the leather bags will always be my favorite, I only found myself purchasing
consistently from the brand itself after the focus shifted to small leather
goods and neoprene styles. (The referral/rewards programs have been vital for me in that
regard as well.)
Jan 2019: To give you some perspective on what a bad customer I was
while these bags were still available: after adding up all of the
discontinued styles I own, I discovered I only purchased 21% of those styles
from Dagne Dover directly. If you remove the Elle Clutches from the
equation, it drags that percentage down to a measly 9%.
Here's a basic comparison between the Popflex Belladonna Duffle
and the Dagne Dover Landon!
A heads up: I'm only comparing the appearance/features of the two bags,
so there aren't any packing examples.
Long time no see! It seems I've only posted twice on the Totes Dagne website
this year. 😱 I tend to be more active on Instagram Stories (@totesdagne) and in
Dagne Dover-related facebook groups, and I recently created a new facebook group
for those of us who feel our collections are out of control—Decluttering Schemes for Dagne-Hoarding Fiends.
Here are my thoughts on some of the new designs DD released this year!
The new Dagne Dover Nova Sling Bag and Dagne Dover Mila Toiletry Organizers sold out
during VIP early access. Go, Dagne! I recently received my purchases (sans anything in Rosewood because I hesitated and it sold out), so I thought I'd share a
few thoughts on both styles ahead of the restock.
The Mila toiletry organizers are well-padded and have a clever, customizable interior design. They work splendidly for me! I found that my makeup essentials are easier to see in the Small
Mila, whereas the Large Mila is a better fit for baby-related items. The interior
mesh is removable, so I'd like to possibly swap the Moonbeam mesh/dividers
into the Rosewood Mila (and vice versa) if I can get a Rosewood Mila during
the restock. The only change I'd like to see would be adding two D-ring attachment points
for a shoulder strap on the sides of the Larges.
I've seen mixed reactions to this bag so far. The Nova has received a fair amount of criticism regarding its maximum 34.5" strap
length—individuals with fuller chests are having trouble wearing this bag
across the body. Although I don't have this problem, I was already planning to wear it over one shoulder or in the crook of my arm. I've used the Nova a couple of times already, and the strap is comfortable just over the shoulder; I practically forget I'm wearing the bag because it stays out of the way!
I recently discovered Cuyana's Tote Inserts and wanted to share some suggestions for using them with Dagne Dover bags!
Dagne Dover bags have no shortage of pockets and organizational features, so
I'm finding the Cuyana inserts helpful from more of a structuralstandpoint.
Slouch-prone bags like the Large Allyn stand straighter, floppy bags like the
larger Landons are given shape, and tablet-sleeve bags like the Midi Tote
finally have a designated laptop slot. The price is steep, but may be worth it
if you have multiple bags that could benefit from a little more
organization and support.
Small Tote Insert:7.25" x 15" x 5.25", 13" laptop pocket, .8 lbs, two
colors—$85.00
I would suggest it for: Charlie Tote (particularly for the post-2017 version), Midi Tote (if you plan to carry a laptop often), Medium Allyn
Large Tote Insert: 10" x 16.5" (approx) x 5.5", 15" laptop pocket, 1.3 lbs, four colors—$95.00
I would suggest it for: Medium Landon (unsnapped), Large Landon, Large
Allyn
A closer look at the polyurethane microsuede material
Large Allyn
The Large Tote Insert helps solve the problem I've had with Large
Allyns for years—they slouch and buckle to the point of falling over! The insert does make the bag heavier, but the tradeoff is worth it to me personally. I'll let the before and after pictures speak for themselves:
Back in 2018, I posted an "old" and "new" Dagne Dover Charlie Tote comparison and
discovered the existence of a third version—the post-March 2017 Charlie. Now that I have my hands on one, I'd like to share additional comparison photos to help demonstrate what to look for when evaluating secondhand Charlies.
(Alas, the Charlie Tote style was discontinued by Dagne Dover in 2019.)
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. 😆
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!)
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!
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 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.
. . . . . . .
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
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!
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!
. . . . . . .
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!
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 bringALL 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).
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!
