The Dior Book Tote: First-Time Purchase

The History of the Dior Book Tote

Maria Grazia Chiuri joined Dior in 2016 as the first female creative director in the brand’s 75-year history. Since then, she’s brought a radical, feminist edge to the house, from t-shirts emblazoned with quotes from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Linda Nochlin to collaborations with pioneering artists such as Judy Chicago. 

Chiuri’s Book Tote, launched in 2018, was the result of a deep dive into the Dior archives, where she found inspiration in a drawing by Marc Bohan from 1967. The perfect shape for carrying a novel (or three), it’s a typically intellectual design from the creative director, whose office at Dior is reportedly lined with books on philosophy, literature and art. A recent YouTube campaign for the bag even saw the creation of a ‘Dior Book Tote Club’, with luminaries including Rosamund Pike, Beatrice Borromeo and Nine d’Urso sharing the literary treasures destined for their Book Totes.

The Details

Although its name suggests otherwise, the Book Tote is more of a shopper bag, with a wide, completely open top. It has two curved top handles, which are best held in the crook of your arm, or by hand. Its square, boxy structure is one of the simplest designs out there — it has no internal or external pockets, nor is it lined. 

While some collectors are put off by its pared-back construction, there’s a purity to the Book Tote which focuses your attention on its standout quality — its exquisite and innovative 3D embroidery. Unique to Dior, the bag is actually crafted entirely from embroidery, with each design stitched via a computer programme and then assembled and hand-finished by one of the house’s artisans. The original Book Totes in Oblique canvas take 37 hours of work and over 1,500,000 stitches to complete. 

On the front of a Book Tote, you’ll find ‘Christian Dior’ emblazoned on a central panel. On the back, the panel is either blank, or can be personalised with your own name when purchasing from a Dior boutique. 

Sizes

Perhaps one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your Book Tote story is size. The bag comes in four different sizes (as well as a mini phone bag). 

The capaciousness of the original Large Book Tote should not be underestimated — it really can fit everything! Measuring 41.5cm at the base, it’s a great bag for travelling with, perching perfectly on top of a wheelie suitcase and fitting a laptop, change of clothes and shoes, as well as all of your usual handbag essentials. If you want to make a statement, this is the tote for you.

The Medium Book Tote is perhaps more practical for everyday use. It’s still able to fit a laptop, but at a more modest width of 36.5cm at the base, many female collectors find the proportions suit their frame more.

One step down is the Small Book Tote, which can carry your phone, wallet, makeup, keys — and of course, any current reading material. 

Finally, there’s the Mini Book Tote, which Dior offers in two different designs. The first, measuring 22.5cm, can only be held by hand, with flat cutout handles which extend seamlessly from the body of the bag. New for Dior’s Cruise 2024 collection, the alternative Mini comes with a shoulder strap, and has a design more closely related to its larger siblings (although with a more rectangular body, measuring 21.5cm across). Both styles comfortably fit your phone, wallet, lipstick and keys.

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Special Editions

Unlike other designer handbags, which often have an established set of classic styles and only a few limited editions, the beauty of the Dior Book Tote is the sheer variety of work-of-art designs that have been released since its inception. A blank canvas for creativity and craftsmanship, the Book Tote back catalogue is a delight to peruse.

If you love the classic Dior look, you can’t go wrong with a Book Tote in Oblique or Toile de Jouy canvas. The unmistakable Oblique logotype dates back to the ‘60s — another Marc Bohan creation — while the ornamental Toile de Jouy pattern was a signature of Christian Dior, reinvented for modern times by Chiuri. 

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Comparison of the (1) Oblique pattern and the (2) Toile de Jouy pattern, sold on saclab.com

Other popular varieties include camouflage Book Totes, which are beautifully hand-fringed for a textural touch — we love this khaki version. For something more feminine, opt for floral or butterfly-bedecked embroideries. Leopard-print and houndstooth Book Totes are ideal for a dash of glamour. Rarer styles include Book Totes crafted in crocheted raffia, sculpted leather and lace.

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Comparison of some of the best Book Tote prints: (1) Camouflage print on a Large Book Tote, (2) a Feminine Floral print on a Small Book Tote, (3) a Butterfly printed Large Book Tote, and 3) a Leopard print on a Large Book Tote, sold on saclab.com

As well as embroidered versions, you’ll also find Dior Book Totes rendered in smooth leather rather than canvas — taking the bag in a chic, minimalist direction.

Good to Know

To break up the rather cavernous interior of the tote, some collectors find a bag organiser insert helps to keep their possessions within easy reach. To protect the delicate embroidery, it can also be useful to wrap a couple of twillies around the top handles for an extra flourish.

Prices

Bought new from Dior, a large Book Tote will currently set you back €2,800–3,000. In comparison, the secondary market offers some great savings, with large Book Totes in good condition retailing for around €2,200–2,500. We predict great things for this artisanal accessory, so now’s the time to invest while prices are still (comparably) low.

Ready to find your Dior Book Tote? Let us know if a particular embroidery design or leather colour has caught your eye, and we’ll take care of it.

Header Image: Hypebae