In Appreciation of Dagne Dover's Discontinued Bags

Tiny Tote in Blush Gold

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%.

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!