MZ Wallace Tote: The Bag People Never Stop Asking About
A harried mother stopped chasing her toddler in the freezer section last week to ask me an important question:
“Sorry, where did you get that bag?”
It’s a refrain I hear daily for as long as I’ve been wearing MZ Wallace’s perfectly quilted bags. I don’t remember how I first stumbled on the brand, but over the years I’ve acquired several of their bestselling nylon bags: a walnut Medium Metro Deluxe Tote, a gunmetal gray Large Metro Deluxe Tote, a black Crosby Tote, and a navy dawn Crosby Anna Tote. (Those last two aren’t even in production anymore, suckers.)
By far, though, my favorite is the fashionable, functional, fabulous Small Metro Deluxe Tote. Technically it’s the small version of the brand’s most popular tote, but “small” is relative. In this case, it’s like a regular scoop of ice cream instead of a double or triple scoop. Check out the inside:
I can easily fit everything I need in here for a day with my two kids: phone, keys (conveniently clipped to the side), wallet, snacks, extra toddler undies (don’t ask), hand sanitizer, wet wipes, and even a water bottle.
There’s a front pocket right above the logo, which I use for lipstick because I can never seem to find those those damn tubes. There are also six interior pockets and a detachable pouch in matching fabric. The tote fully zips closed, which is hugely handy when you’re in a crowded space or if you’re just clumsy (also me).
Pockets are all fine and dandy, but what about when your kid’s apple sauce sloshes out of its not-fully-shut pouch? Excellent question! These bags are fully washable. For real — toss it in the washer with those undies. Or maybe the next load.
(Side note: Of course two women founded MZ Wallace. Our people are so smart.)
My only issue with the bag is that the colors rotate in and out pretty quickly. The core collection (black, gray, etc.) run $255 while the seasonal patterns are come at a small premium, around $265 to $275. It’s exactly the right price for a workhorse bag that will still turn heads — especially ones in the freezer aisle.
