Leatherology Mia Tote Review

Leatherology first came onto my radar while I was researching bags for my 16” laptop bag post. Since then, they’ve continued expanding their lineup with more styles and colors. In particular, the Mia collection caught my eye, with three size options ranging from a cute mini bucket bag to a larger horizontal work tote.

Alas, I have absolutely no need for more small bags… so I decided to try the Mia Large Shopper and the Horizontal Tote instead. I ended up keeping the Horizontal Tote, and after about a month of use, here are my thoughts so far!

Price

The Large Shopper retails for $245, while the Horizontal Tote comes in at $280. Both feel fairly attainable within the contemporary luxury space, especially for bags designed for everyday use.

Form & Design

I like that the Mia line keeps things visually simple while still feeling distinctive. The straps flow naturally into the body of the bag rather than looking separately attached, which gives the design a more seamless look.

Although I didn’t keep the Shopper Tote, I loved the vibrant Fairway Green colorway. Their larger Transit Tote Duffel would look stunning in that shade as well. If you’re considering one of the brighter colors, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

The Horizontal Tote I kept is in Moss Green, which feels a bit more muted but versatile even as the seasons change.

Functionality

This is definitely more of a “black hole” style tote. There are a few small interior pockets, but I still rely on pouches to keep things organized. The leather is unlined with an exposed suede interior. In terms of thickness, I’d call it medium-weight – thicker than Cuyana leather, but not quite as substantial as my Celine Sangle.

Interestingly, the Shopper Tote includes a much larger interior pouch that spans nearly the full width of the bag, which helps divide the space more effectively for taller items. I understand this isn’t practical for the Horizontal Tote, but wish the pouch were slightly larger at least.

For both styles, I appreciate how reinforced the base feels. It’s lightweight, but structured enough that the bag doesn’t sag under the weight of a laptop – not even with my nearly 5lb Macbook Pro! Also, I was initially worried that the slim straps wouldn’t hold up well with a heavy load, but so far they’ve been completely fine.

I also really appreciate the horizontal silhouette of the tote. At 5’4”, vertical totes can sometimes drag awkwardly when hand-carried. For example, I love my Polène Ilo Tote, but because of its proportions, it’s realistically a shoulder-only bag for me.

Capacity

Both bags have generous capacity without feeling overwhelmingly large.

In the Horizontal Tote, I can comfortably fit:

• my 16” work laptop
• a water bottle
• 2–3 small pouches for toiletries and cords
• snacks and daily essentials

It’s been more than sufficient for everyday work use. I’ve also used it as a diaper bag for my 1-year-old on shorter outings, and it easily fits the essentials plus snacks for a few hours out.

Verdict

Overall, I’ve been really impressed with the Mia Horizontal Tote. For under $300, the design feels thoughtful, the leather quality is solid, and the color selection is excellent.

Leatherology is definitely staying on my watch list!