An honest review of everything i've ever bought from Toteme

Quality, sizing and where they can improve as a brand

When I look through my wardrobe (and my Indyx app) there is one brand I have invested in more than any other, that brand is Toteme. As someone who has spent A LOT of money on items from this brand, including clothing and accessories I wanted to share my thoughts on the brand, and offer an in depth review of each piece, as I know this would have been helpful when I first discovered the brand. There is also a video exclusive for paid subscribers where you can see me wear the pieces and how they fit/move in a video format too.

*(Just a note this is a long one so you may need to open it in your browser/or the Substack app)

Why Toteme?

As a brand I think Toteme offers a really interesting approach to everyday pieces, that manage to feel modern, yet timeless. While there’s no denying that most of the pieces offer a minimalistic approach, I appreciate the consistency. Timeless with little twists, that’s how I sum it up. When I reflect on what motivated me to keep buying from this brand over others, it’s the simple fact I wear the clothes. I wear them to death, for every occasion and all year round. The pieces I have bought work seamlessly with everything else in my wardrobe and they are incredibly easy to style. I don’t have to overthink anything. Is it pricey? Yes. But when I compare it to other brands (I think the Row is the most common comparison) the price point is considerably lower for a very similar quality, especially when it comes to their leather goods.

My top tips for buying Toteme at the best price?

While i’m a firm believer in not buying something on sale unless you would be willing to pay full price, I have found the best place to check first for Toteme pieces brand new is SSENSE. I’ve managed to find several pieces that were on my wishlist for many years on sale there for half price of less. I remember when Toteme were still relatively unknown when I first moved to the US, I picked up some pieces on the pre loved market for less than $40! Those days are long gone sadly, however I have also had luck on The Real Real with a few purchases that were on my wishlist that I was able to get at great price.

Where is there room for improvement?

This one’s easy. The sizing! I’ve come to accept that being mid/plus size means there are instantly certain items I’m excluded from even if I can afford them. I’m speaking especially to the fitted pieces, and the trousers. This has been my experience pretty much across the board when it comes to luxury clothing brands, and it’s something I would love to see change. Please, please let it change!

The T Lock Bag

I bought the T lock bag in black primarily because I loved the fact it doubles up as a clutch and a crossbody bag if I add the strap. I bought this when Matches (RIP) had a twenty percent off weekend offer or something like that. This was the second T Lock bag I had purchased and I did so because of how impressed I was with my first one (the larger one with the top handle). The price point of Toteme accessories, in particular their leather goods, continues to impress me given that most other luxury brands are increasingly getting closer to the $3K-$5K and above mark (insert sad face emoji). The leather is beautiful. I’m a huge fan of their grained leather because it’s worn so well. Both my bags look like new even with heavy use. I’ve owned both for over two years. I also really appreciate it has feet on the bottom, as that truly makes a difference I believe when it comes to longevity.

Denim Press Stud Jacket

This denim jacket was probably the piece I lusted after for the longest. Living in LA means I don’t get to wear proper coats, but jackets….that’s my love language! The sculptural shape of this is what drew me in. As a self confessed blazer girl, I liked that this offered something a little different for me, but still in my comfort zone of oversized and interesting proportions. This comes up VERY oversized so I actually purchased an XXS in this. It is so light weight which makes it such an incredible layering piece, especially living somewhere warm. Here’s the thing, often we lust for something, only to feel underwhelmed upon getting said thing, but so far, that hasn’t been my experience with Toteme. This jacket looked even better on than it did on the hanger, and as a midsize body trying on a luxury brand, I can tell you that experience is rare. I paid full price for this from the Toteme store in New York, and would do so again in a heartbeat!

The Flip Flop Heel in Black

The flip flop heel I bought pre loved in brand new condition from The Real Real. Now my biggest complaint with these is how much breaking in they took. I think this is due to the design of where the leather thong part meets, and I definitely think they could have made this section rounder to sit more comfortably in between the toe. However, once broken in, they have become probably one of my most worn summer shoes. The heel height is perfection and I know you’re going to hear me say this a lot but they go with everything! They’re so unassuming and that strangely is what makes them such a great ‘I don’t know what shoe to wear’ shoe.

Monogram Silk Set

I went back and forth on this set for a while, mainly for the reason that I knew it was ‘trending’ so I gave myself some much needed time and space to consider why I wanted it. I’m talking maybe three to four years of sitting with it, only to notice my interest in it didn’t disappear when it was no longer ‘trending’. I wear a lot of two pieces, mostly in the linen category but I liked the idea of a dressier silk set that could also be worn in lots of ways. I started with the shirt and the shorts, and later added the trousers. The silk is stunning, and I love the way the shirt drapes the body. The shirt is meant to be slightly oversized (I bought it in a size 38) but both the shorts and trousers I purchased a size 42 (the largest size they stock). It is a stunning set, however, in an ideal world I would have been able to buy one size bigger for the shorts and trousers to be a little more roomy, as it is a little tight around the tops of my legs. However because of the stretch waistband I could make it work. I never wear this tucked in, I really enjoy the slouchy look of these, and I can’t deny when I do wear this set, I feel amazing in it.

Silk Scarf

Toteme makes so many beautiful silk scarves, and I don’t think I could have predicted just how invaluable this accessory would become, especially given my 365 no buy challenge. Growing up my mum always wore silk scarves. She wore them around her neck, in her hair and around her bags. I do the same, but what i’ve come to discover is how versatile it is as an actual item of clothing, especially when the temperatures are soaring. I wear this as a top and a bikini, and because it’s insanely easy to pack, I nearly always make sure I pack it with me when i’m traveling. I paid full price for this from the New York store.

The T Strap Sandals

I have the T strap sandals in the black and the tan. There was a 90’s shoe that Prada made that was very similar and it’s never left my memory. What I love most about these are the softness of the leather and the detail of the contrasting stitch. Of all my Toteme sandals these are without a doubt the most comfortable, think 10,000 steps walking around Manhattan comfortable. I wear them with everything and they still look incredible. I managed to get the black ones on sale from the NY store, and the tan ones I got on sale from Farfetch. I wear a size 40.

Double Clasp Leather Belt

This belt was another purchase I bought full price from the Toteme store. When something can be worn multiple ways that usually seals the deal when it comes to something on my wishlist. This belt can be worn with the links at the front or you can move it so the buckle is at the front, so it acts like two belts in one. What impressed me so much with this piece is the leather quality, as it’s very similar to my Hermes’s Kelly Box leather.

Trench Coat

As someone who spent her twenties living in Camden wearing trench coats, I couldn’t ever see me moving away from my beloved Vintage Burberry trench coats, however… I prefer this one. The Toteme trench is a little more relaxed and what I like most about it as that it doesn’t have a belt. My burberry belt would often end up falling out the belt loops, and there were many occasions where I nearly lost said belt. The Toteme one oozes sophistication. I got this in a size 42 (from the Toteme store) as I knew I wanted it to keep the relaxed, slightly oversized feel to it. I love the long length, which acts as somewhat of a windbreaker when the wind picks up. It’s just a beautifully designed piece that again, makes me feel a million dollars when I wear it.

The Mid Heel Leather Boot in Black

I was very lucky to get these boots from SSENSE before the price increase. I believe they now retail for around $800 but I managed to get them for $600. I waited a long time for these, they were probably my most pinned item on Pinterest, and I had them on my wishlist for over 3 years. I had a pair of boots that were very similar from Mango that I wore to death (literally) and I always knew these were the ones I really wanted, so I saved up and waited until I could afford them, and i’m happy to report they did not disappoint. My hope is these will last me a lifetime if I take good care of them. Luckily I did go and try these on while they were on my wishlist before buying so I could see how they felt with socks on, and they were snug in my usual size. So when I ordered them from SSENSE I did size up and bought a 41 (my usual size is a 40). These boots are incredibly comfortable and the toe is boot perfection if you ask me! It’s the little details that make the difference, and I think that’s what Toteme does so well. For instance the fact the boot is an ankle boot, but it goes high up enough that it doesn’t do that awkward thing where the edge of the boot catches on the hem of your jeans, instead it tucks neatly inside the jeans. And the toe is the perfect harmony of not too pointy, slightly square but not too square.

T Lock Top Handle Bag Tan

I bought the T lock top handle Bag in tan because I loved the shape and the color. If I remember correctly this was very hard to get hold of and in the end I think I got this from Mytheresa so I was also able to use a first time 10% off voucher or something similar for joining their mailing list. This was my first bag from the brand and it really was love at first sight. Again the sculptural shape of the bag really spoke to me, and I loved that the specific color of tan was completely different to anything else I had. I wondered if the T lock closure would annoy me, but I have to say I actually leave my bag undone most of the time. I love how it looks undone, but I get that if you live in a city where you fear pickpocketing you would probably want to keep it done up and that can get a little annoying, the opening and closing. This isn’t a bag you would want to wear cross body and i’m glad they didn’t try to make it that, instead the strap fits nicely on the shoulder and hangs at the perfect position to get into the bag quickly, although I would say I tend to carry it mostly top handle. Not going to lie, I love this so much that when I saw they came out with the moc croc brown version this season, my heart did skip a beat (*adds to wishlist).

Black Press Stud Jacket

The black press stud jacket is the exact same shape as my denim jacket above. What can I say? I’m a creature of habit. When I see something I love and I end up wearing it a ton it’s not uncommon for me to get the same piece in a different color, and that’s exactly what happened here. The color of this reads as a slightly softer charcoal grey vs a true black, but it is just such an incredibly chic piece in my forever wardrobe. The simplicity of this jacket is what makes it so special, it reminds me of a posh rain mac! It makes any trouser t-shirt combo look instantly more polished. I also bought this in an XS (I believe they were out of stock of the XXS) but I got this in the SSENSE sale for less than half price. I’ve worn it tons and still love it as much as the day I first got it. People often ask me if this is waterproof? I don’t believe it is officially waterproof, however I find in light rain I stay dry.

The Chunky Sandal

The chunky sandal in leather became such a hero shoe in my wardrobe, that I actually decided to sell my Chanel Dad Sandals, because I preferred the Toteme ones. I wear them the most with slouchy trousers but they are another piece that I genuinely thought would be a bitch to break in, however I’m pleased to report they broke in quickly with only one blister from the first wear. Since then, it’s been smooth sailing. While I don’t really consider myself a birkenstock girl (no shade), I do love these. Before buying these I really wanted a larger, more casual gladiator style sandal, but I still wanted something that felt slightly elevated, and these fit the bill perfectly. This piece was also on my wishlist for a good two years before I pulled the trigger, and they did not disappoint.

The Strappy Heeled Sandals

The strappy sandals in black were my very first Toteme purchase, bought pre loved (at a great price) from The Real Real. This was the shoe that started what I guess some might consider my Toteme collection. I’m sure by this point we can all agree the use of words like minimal, 90’s and elevated basics all but feel like the basis of a drinking game. But dare I say it, they are what they are. A beautiful shoe that honestly, if I had to get rid of every other more formal sandal in my wardrobe bar one, this would be the exception. I have worn these so much it’s ridiculous, and I haven’t even had to re-heel them yet. One of the last things I bought before I started my 365 no buy challenge (because of how much I wear my black ones) is the off white version which I got on sale from Saks for close to 70% off! I loved these so much, I sold my Dear frances Chase Mules in cream. They are absurdly easy to style and strangely the off white version do feel slightly softer/more comfortable than the black version so not sure if they changed the leather or if they added more padding with the later versions.

Grey Monogram Scarf

This scarf is the softest mix of merino wool and cashmere. I’ve only seen it since in brown, but this was a christmas present from Dave 5 years ago. It’s HUGE! I had been looking for a large scarf that I could drape over my shoulders and pin with a broach. I love that it feels like two scarves in one, as one side is a darker charcoal grey and the other side is a lighter grey with the darker monogram. This is a carry on essential when I fly because it doubles up as a full size blanket, it’s super cozy, but it also makes a wonderful oversized scarf that keeps me warm even in the coldest of weather (Notably UK winters).

In the video below I share mod shots of each item and how I typically style them.