H&M Dior Book Tote Dupe Review
H&M Jacquard-Weave Handbag
As a fast fashion company famous for its designer "inspired" products, I wasn't surprised to see the company release its Jacquard-weave Handbag tote as a dupe version of Dior's Book Tote. Dior undoubtedly was the company that put the tote bag front and center in the world and led us to fall in love with this simple bag form. Though I wouldn't say Dior was the first fashion brand to invent a tote bag, this simple bag form has existed for who knows how long. Dior uses this minimalist shape of a bag to showcase their technique and craftsmanship. In addition, the intricate embroidery fabric they use to make the bag makes the book tote look like a work of art, particularly the one with the Toile de Jouy motif. Thus, H&M is smart enough to know that is the one they were duping.
As a bag collector or hoarder, I can spend all day discussing if the Dior Book Tote is worth the price if you buy me a cup of coffee, but since it is challenging to find a great coffee shop in my area, I will go straight to review the H&M Jacquard-weave Handbag tote. We all know why a consumer would choose to buy an H&M dupe tote. The elephant in the room is that we don't want to pay $3500 for a canvas bag that could get damaged easily, and some may have quality issues. It may be a work of art, but most people just want to live life and have fun. You can't wipe off the scratches and condition the tote like a leather bag. Unless you want to baby an artwork daily like an obsessive maniac, or you are a billionaire earning thousands of dollars interest in every second, it simply isn't a practical bag for most. That I can afford a $3000 tote doesn't mean I want to see a bag looking like it was sitting at an estate sale after someone had lived a long life.
There are many Dior Book Tote dupes available. Even though I am a full-time shopping addict, I can't fully count how many are out there. So why H&M? I bought the bag myself because I have a beach vacation coming up. I don't want to bring my leather bags to the beach. The salt crystal in the water or the air could dry up the leather and cause cracking. I have heard the H&M dupe tote was always sold out, but when I checked, it was available, and I liked the one in black; it means I don't even have to spray it or worry about the bag getting damaged. A black color bag with a complex pattern is like the bag was born to be used and functional. For $34.99? I think I can finally pretend to shop like a billionaire.
Not the first time I have purchased a bag from a fast-fashion company. Previously I bought a bag from ZARA, and although it was cute, the quality made me tilt my head like my silly French Bulldog. I wasn't expecting much, and it was on sale for $29.75. The first thing I noticed when I pulled it out of the bag... yes, it didn't even come in a shipping box. The bag wasn't flimsy when I first held the tote in hand. It is a structured tote, and the pattern wasn't printed; it was machine-weaved. They likely sandwiched a thin piece of structured material between the outer layer and the lining. The bag stands on its own, the handles are comfortable to hold, and it even comes with an internal zip pocket for your wallet or cellphone! I am speechless! I thought the quality was going to be laughable at best. The edges are sewn and covered for extra protection, and you don't have to worry about melting glazing like your LV bags.
H&M Jacquard-Weave Handbag
Let's face it, a dupe bag will never replace the real deal. I admire the Dior Book Tote, but unless they want to send me one to review, I will spend my $3000 on vacation, taking my H&M tote to the beach and drinking all the silly mocktails I possibly could. I do not want to recommend a dupe bag for many reasons, but since you are not here for it, I would say buy it if you need the bag for work or vacation. It is better than buying a fake illegal replica that will cost you ten times more, and you can't take it on vacation overseas because using a replica bag can be the cause for arrest at the airport in many countries like France and Japan. I judge a bag by comparing the price and the value it provides. With this H&M Jacquard-weave Handbag, the value exceeds the price tag! I would pay double for this bag easily, just don't tell H&M that; we don't want H&M raising their price like some companies managed by senile old guys.
