Telfar Shopping Bags – Everything you should know
“Telfar Bags imported, Birkins them sh** in storage” – Beyoncé, Summer Renaissance
The Telfar Shopping Bags have, quite literally, taken over the world in recent years. Everybody, from ordinary individuals to the Queen Bee herself, wants to get their hands on a Telfar Bag, but why? What is so great about the Telfar Shopping Bag, and why has it become a global success? Telfar, the brand founded by Telfar Clemens, is coming up to it’s 20th anniversary, and is now most recognised for the viral Shopping Tote. The Shopping Bag wasn’t launched until 2014, but it has been in more recent years when it has raised to stardom. The message behind Telfar, and the Shopping Bag, is “not for you, for everyone”; this message challenges high end, luxury brands such as Chanel & Hermes and creates a feeling of inclusivity, not exclusivity. Telfar wants everybody to be able to feel like they too, can carry a designer handbag, without the judgemental sales assistants, purchase histories & dents to bank accounts.
The Telfar Shopping Bag is available in 3 sizes: the Small, Medium & Large. The Small retails for $150, the Medium $202 and the Large $257. To most, the Shopping Tote is considered an ‘affordable’ handbag, especially when compared to the likes of a Chanel Classic Flap or Hermes Birkin. Not only does the brand carry a great message and affordability, but demand for the Shopping Bags rose even higher when spotted on the arm of Beyoncé herself. Telfar Shopping Bags have also seen to be carried by Megan Thee Stallion, Vanessa Hudgens & Lil Nas X. See every celebrity spotted with a Telfar bag here.
For ethical reas
ons, some people choose to shop at Telfar because their bags are made from ‘Vegan Leather’. Whilst this is a positive for animal welfare, it is sadly a glorified term for plastic which doesn’t portray the luxury image Telfar aims for. Another factor that puts Telfar’s luxury image at risk is the packaging. The majority of luxury handbags come with their own box & dust bag, whereas the Telfar Shopping Bag comes folded flat in only a dust bag & plastic zipped bag.
If you’re liking the sounds of the Telfar Shopping Bag so far, sadly it isn’t as easy as heading to the website, adding to cart and checking out. Telfar drop their bags weekly, and once dropped online the Shoppers sell out in minutes, if not seconds. It really is a game of quickest fingers first!
Now onto the features of the Telfar Shopping Bag. On the front, the bag has an embossed ‘TC’ Logo, which stands for Telfar Clemens, and this is the only visible branding. The Shopping Tote suits the current trend of minimal branding, instead of ‘in your face’ monogram branding from brands such as Fendi or Louis Vuitton. You can carry the bag either on your shoulder, across your body or with the top handles. All of the Telfar Shopping Bags have fixed long straps & fixed top handles, and it may be worth noting that if carrying the bag with the top handles, the long straps can sometimes get in the way and look a little untidy. Also be aware that the straps are not adjustable.
Inside the Medium & Large Telfar Shopping Bags there is an internal zip pocket, whereas the Small Shopper has no zip pocket or slip pocket. All the Telfar Shopping Bags have a secret pocket, disguised as the internal label, which could be used to hide various small items…
The Large Telfar Shopping Bag would make the perfect travel companion, and the Medium would be ideal for work or days out in the city. The Small Telfar Shopper is certainly more suited to those who do not carry much on a daily basis, or perhaps for an evening handbag.
For a full overview of the Medium Telfar Shopping Bag, watch our YouTube video here
