I put this viral $44 Amazon tote to the test — it 'looks and feels like a designer bag' that's 10x the price
Shoppers say it "looks and feels like a designer bag."
The struggle to find the perfect everyday bag is real. Finding one that's stylish, sturdy and has enough space to hold all the essentials can feel daunting — however, this option from Amazon Canada appears to check all the boxes.
The HOXIS Vegan Leather Shoulder Handbag has racked up tons of five-star ratings for its quality and functionality. It has been praised for providing the look and feel of a designer bag at a fraction of the cost.
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HOXIS Vegan Leather Shoulder Handbag
But just how does it hold up to daily wear? I put the tote bag to the test, wearing it in various situations to see if it lives up to the hype. Keep reading to see my full review, what other shoppers are saying about the bag and whether or not it's worth adding to your cart.
The versatile bag also comes in an array of colours.
- Looks and feels more expensive than it is
- Can be worn with a variety of looks
- Spacious
- Handy key ring makes finding keys easy
- Can fit a laptop
- Sturdy strap for carrying heavier items
- Doesn't fully close
- Lack of structure can make it hard to sift through
- Not much interior organization
The details
The bag is made from soft vegan leather and features a slouchy, hobo-style, measuring 18 inches by 15.7 inches by 4.7 inches.
The bag is large and sturdy enough to hold a laptop and is spacious enough to hold all other daily essentials like your wallet, phone and more.
The single strap is long enough that you can carry it as a shoulder bag or handheld tote, and wide enough that it doesn't dig into your shoulder.
Inside, you'll find a faux-suede lining and an interior pocket for keeping small items handy, as well as a keychain clasp for keeping keys easily accessible. The bag also features a simple magnetic button closure at the top.
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The review
I'm someone who normally carries a smaller leather shoulder bag and the occasional canvas tote bag — carrying the HOXIS Vegan Leather Shoulder Handbag was like combining the two.
I found the bag quite useful for a range of situations — it easily held all my daily essentials including my wallet, phone, keys and small makeup items, with more than enough space to also accommodate a water bottle and makeup bag.
Twice a week I go to a ballet class, and for the purposes of this review, I decided to try using the HOXIS bag rather than my usual duffel. Surprisingly, it easily fit everything I needed for class, including my ballet slippers, pointe shoes, leg warmers and water bottle.
I also found it useful when shopping at my local drugstore.
While I normally need to bring a reusable bag (or purchase one from the store), the HOXIS leather tote was sturdy and spacious enough to hold the items I picked up, including micellar water, shampoo and mouthwash.
I also love the handy keychain clasp for storing keys — as someone who usually has to dig around for them and easily misplaces them, this is an essential component all bags should have.
The interior pocket was useful for keeping small items like my AirPods and lipstick handy and is even big enough for holding my iPhone 14 Max (meaning I don't have to search around in the bag for it).
I think the price is quite reasonable for the quality of the bag. It's not real leather, but it has a nice look and soft feel that makes it seem more expensive than it is.
I can see it being a versatile piece that would be great for work or just everyday outings, and that you can also easily dress up.
HOXIS Vegan Leather Shoulder Handbag
What others are saying
The HOXIS Vegan Leather Shoulder Handbag has many great reviews on Amazon Canada. It boasts a 4.4-star rating and many shoppers praise the quality, style and spaciousness of the tote.
"This purse is amazing," wrote one shopper, praising the colour, texture and size. Another said they were "pleasantly surprised" by the softness of the leather and the sturdiness of the bag's handles. They claimed it's "totally worth the money."
Other shoppers noted that the tote "looks and feels like a designer bag" and agreed it's comparable to higher-end versions (like the Coach Brooklyn bag).
While most shoppers were happy with the tote, some did have issues with the slouchy style. One person wrote that the design made it "hard to find stuff" in the bag, and another commented that they could "never find anything in it."
The verdict
If you're looking for a do-it-all tote that you can wear to work, on casual outings and everywhere in between, the HOXIS Vegan Leather Shoulder Handbag definitely fits the bill.
The soft leather and chic design make the bag look much more expensive than it is, and its affordable price makes it a great alternative to similar designer styles.
The bag is as functional as it is stylish, with the capacity to carry a laptop or tablet. Plus, it even works as a shopping tote for groceries or toiletries.
The slouchy shape is part of the bag's charm — however, for those who find it too shapeless, a purse organizer could be a great way to personalize the bag to your liking!
Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
