Meryl Carryall Tote: What to Know Before You Buy
By Shop Premium Leather Handbags & Wallets | Hammitt ... | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Buying Guides
A practical buying guide to the Meryl Carryall tote: what its adjustable leather ties and wrapped base mean for daily carry, and who should choose it.
Quick answer
The Meryl Carryall is a strong choice if you want one relaxed leather tote that moves from workdays to weekends without looking stiff. Its soft pleats, adjustable leather ties, and wrapped base give it a dressier feel than a basic open tote, but the relaxed shape means it is not the most structured option. Buy it if you value versatility and texture; skip it if you need a rigid, laptop-first work bag.
What the Meryl Carryall actually is
The Meryl Carryall sits in the tote category, but it is not a boxy commuter bag. The catalog describes it as effortless and versatile, with a relaxed silhouette, soft pleats, sculptural lines, and signature mini rivets. Those details matter because they change how the bag reads in person: pleats add movement, while the leather-capped seams and wrapped base give it a finished, dimensional look rather than a flat panel.
Adjustable leather ties are the feature that separates it from most totes. They let you change the shape and how it hangs, so you can tighten it for a smaller profile or leave it open for a slouchier carry. If you have ever owned a tote that only looked good one way, this is the opposite experience.
Size and fit: what to check before you commit
The catalog does not list exact dimensions, so treat this as a fit decision you make with your own daily load. A carryall like the Meryl is designed to hold daily essentials and more, which usually means a wallet, phone, keys, sunglasses, a small pouch, and a water bottle fit comfortably. Whether a laptop fits depends on your device size and how the relaxed shape sits when loaded, so measure your laptop and compare it against the bag's opening before ordering if that is a dealbreaker.
The more useful fit question is how you carry it. The adjustable leather ties let you shorten the drop for a hand or forearm carry, or loosen it for a shoulder carry. If you plan to wear it over a heavy coat, you will want the looser setting. If you mostly carry it by hand, a tighter tie keeps the silhouette cleaner. Because the bag is unstructured by design, it will follow your body more than a rigid tote, which some people love and others find fussy.
How the Meryl compares to a crossbody-first routine
If your day involves a lot of walking, transit, or hands-free errands, a tote is not always the right primary bag. The Meryl works best when you have a home base, a desk, a car, or a stroller, and you want one bag that holds more than a crossbody. For days when you need both, the practical move is to carry the Meryl as your main bag and keep a small crossbody for essentials, or to add a strap to a compatible style.
Hammitt's strap category exists for exactly this kind of customization. The Slider Strap 1 Inch in Black/Brushed Gold is described as a classic leather strap that clips onto a variety of styles, including the VIP, and it is a way to change the look of a bag you already own without buying a new one. If you are choosing between a tote and a crossbody, the honest tradeoff is capacity versus freedom: the Meryl wins on capacity, a crossbody wins on hands-free convenience.
Decision rules for buying the Meryl Carryall
- Choose the Meryl if your load changes daily: The relaxed silhouette and adjustable leather ties let it shift from a fuller workday carry to a lighter weekend bag without looking like a different bag. Best for people who want one tote that does not feel rigid.
- Choose a crossbody instead if you are rarely at a desk: A tote asks you to set it down or carry it in hand. If your day is mostly walking, transit, or chasing kids, a crossbody keeps your hands free and your essentials secure. Consider the Charles Crossbody or VIP if hands-free matters more than capacity.
- Check your laptop before you buy: The catalog does not list dimensions, and a relaxed tote can shift when loaded. Measure your device and compare it to the bag's opening if laptop carry is non-negotiable. If a structured laptop section is a must, this is not the right tote.
- Budget for a strap only if you will actually use it: The Slider Strap 1 Inch clips onto a variety of styles and is a smart add-on if you want a different look or a replacement. It is not necessary if you already like the Meryl's leather ties. Buy the strap when it solves a real problem, not as an impulse add-on.
Product facts that affect your decision
- Meryl Carryall | Cinnamon Suede/Antique Gold: Effortless and versatile, the Meryl Carryall combines a relaxed silhouette with soft pleats, sculptural lines, and signature mini rivets; adjustable leather ties allow for multiple styling options, and it is finished with leather-capped seams and a wrapped base. The adjustable ties are the reason this tote adapts to different carries and outfits, while the wrapped base and capped seams mean it looks more polished than a plain unstructured tote.
- VIP | Black/Gunmetal | Med: The VIP in buttery black leather is an all-time best-seller with an optional strap, gunmetal rivets, and a red embossed twill detail along the back seam; it converts from clutch to crossbody to shoulder bag. If you want one bag that covers evenings and errands rather than a large tote, the VIP's three-way carry and optional strap make it a more flexible primary bag for lighter loads.
- Slider Strap 1 Inch | Black/Brushed Gold: The Slider Strap 1 Inch in Black/Brushed Gold is a classic leather strap that clips onto a variety of styles, including the VIP, and is sold a-la-carte for customizing or replacing a strap. A separate strap lets you change the carry style or refresh a bag you already own, which is often cheaper than buying a second bag for a different look.
Who the Meryl Carryall is for
Best for
- People who want a relaxed leather tote for workdays, weekends, and travel days
- Shoppers who like adjustable ties and a softer, less structured shape
- Anyone who wants one bag that looks polished without feeling formal
Not for
- Commuters who need a rigid, laptop-first work tote with a defined compartment
- Shoppers who prefer a hands-free crossbody as their only bag
- Anyone who wants exact published dimensions before ordering
