Meet The Affordable Bag That Could Pass For Designer – And Every Cool Girl Already Owns It

I'll admit it: I have a social media addiction, and I've got the screen time and ever-expanding closet to prove it. While that's not always great news for my bank account, it does mean that I can tap into trending items before they inevitably sell out. To wit, COS’ cotton trousers – a spring essential whose eventual popularity landed it on the Lyst Index as one of the hottest products of Q1. And right now, I feel another trend brewing: a high street tote that’s dominating influencer accounts and is destined to sell out at record speed. The Charles & Keith Calla tote bag, to be precise.

Now this isn’t the first time the Singaporean brand’s accessories have landed on our radar. It’s slouchy tote bag, with its sleek design and 'wear-anywhere' appeal was a common sight at Grazia HQ last winter. The Calla tote sticks to the versatile brief with its roomy construction and smooth leather, but with a more sculptural silhouette that adds a high fashion slant.

Shop: The Charles & Keith Calla Tote Bag

Much like the fashion editor-favourite Khaite Lotus bag, the Calla offers a structured silhouette that’s still soft enough to sculpt to your body for a comfortable fit. Knotted arm straps and a detachable pouch add the perfect elegant yet functional finishing touches. The large tote also doesn’t shy away from purpose. It’s big enough to comfortably store your laptop, lunch, make-up and all those miscellaneous trinkets you’re convinced you absolutely need through the day.

Of course, as a fashion writer, I’m always more invested in the aesthetics and the fact is that the Calla tote is the kind of accessory that effortlessly elevates any outfit you wear it with. No matter if you style it with your classic trousers and button-downs for the office or use it to lug around your straw hat, sunscreen and Stanley on holidays, the structured tote is simply chic.

Despite hitting all the right notes required for Instagram fame, the Calla tote possesses a minimalist yet statement-making design that is classic enough to achieve timeless popularity off-screen as well. No wonder then, that its black iteration is already sold out, but you can still shop the oat, toffee and dark moss colourways, each of which is a guaranteed compliment magnet at only £99.

Shop: Alternate Colours Of The Charles & Keith Calla Tote Bag

Main image credits: ©Instagram/@tenij_

Hitanshi Kamdar is a senior commerce writer for Grazia. Hitanshi is always on the hunt for the latest trends, emerging designers and the internet’s most bizarre style discourse. When not writing, she can be found IDing outfits during Netflix binges and shopping for the latest It-girl shoe trends.