While most totes are bottomless abysses, Smythson’s Panama has a sense of organization. It has a detachable pouch (stamped with the letters “HAPPINESS IS SHOPPING”) that can moonlight as a clutch. There’s no closure, though, so some risk is involved. I would just use it to transfer my essentials from bag to bag. What’s more important is the exterior pocket (it’s big enough for the iPad mini!). Using this will stretch out the soft leather over time, but it’s practical and the differing leather adds nice texture and contrast to the bag.
The Saffiano leather body, a favorite of Prada’s, is relatively indestructible. I have many bags made from the deeply textured leather, and none of them have lost their beauty or luster. So the only question is, which color will you get? I love the ease of finding your things in a shallower east-west tote, though the hues of these north-south bags just might change my tune! Pre-order in fuchsia, red, emerald, and midnight blue exclusively at Barneys New York for $995 each.
