There's a reason why you're seeing this £12 Lulu Guinness Waitrose tote bag everywhere
I've been using the bargain and stylish bag almost every day for two months.
For the second year running, handbag designer Lulu Guinness has created an exclusive limited edition tote bag. Stylish, sturdy and very practical, it's fast become a hit among shoppers and costs just £12. For context, Lulu Guinness bags retail for upwards of £90, with the most expensive costing an eye-watering £495.
The 2023 iteration proved so popular it sold out, and during its first week of launch, outsold eggs and milk, but luckily the 2024 version is still up for grabs. Featuring Lulu Guinness's iconic red lip print and a bold checkered pattern, you can get your hands on it exclusively at Waitrose and John Lewis, both in-store and online.
🛍️ Product reviewed: Lulu Guinness Checkered Tote Bag
⏰ Tested for: Two months
⭐ Rating: 5/5
💸 Reasons to buy: It's sturdy, versatile, has two sets of supportive straps and a fun design for a bargain price
✋ Reasons to avoid: It's limited to one bag per customer and often sells out, so can be tricky to get your hands on
This shopping tote is limited edition for 2024 and is already a big hit among customers.
I was very eager to snap one up, so hunted the last one available in my local Waitrose, and have been using it regularly over the past two months - here's why I think it's a must-have for supermarket shopping, running errands, long car rides and more.
💸 Reasons to buy
Firstly, I love the checkered design. Covered in black and white tiling, with red lip stamps and crown motifs, it's this design Lulu Guinness is best known for. Designed to be double-sided, so you can choose which bold print you want to show off, it makes for a fun, playful and statement tote bag that will stand out wherever you are.
It's surprisingly sturdy, too, with short and long straps for maximum comfort when carrying a full bag, and even a zipped compartment for your valuables — when I'm doing my food shop I like to put my house keys in there.
As for space, there's plenty of room to store various items. It's served me well over the past few weeks, as a beach bag with towels and suncream shoved in on holiday, as a large snack bag for a six-hour drive to the Lake District, and even as my work bag one day when I went into the office. It easily fits a laptop, books, and larger food items like a four pint bottle of milk and eight-pack of diet coke.
Shop now at John Lewis Shop now at Waitrose
When it first launched in June this year, I searched high and low online and in-store to find one, and eventually got my hands on the very last one in a store near my flat, but thankfully, it's now widely stocked at both John Lewis and Waitrose for the bargain price of just £12.
It gets extra points from me for having a sustainable design — it's made from 13 recycled bottles, and makes cutting down on plastic bags even easier.
The reviews from other customers also make a super convincing case. One said: "A designer tote bag made from recycled bottles and for only £12. Beautiful, sturdy and useful. What's not to like!", while another said, "The design on this stunning tote bag will not go unnoticed [and] personally I love it! I have other red accessories which it is a perfect match for. Delighted to have been able to get this in my local branch at first attempt. Very roomy too, so practical as well as gorgeous!"
✋ Reasons to avoid
In all honesty, there's nothing bad I can say about this, it's reasonably priced with a stylish design and better quality than most totes. The only reason I'd avoid it is if you already have a cupboard full of bags, but even then, what's one more?
Fully stocked and available to shop at John Lewis and Waitrose, it's currently a bestseller in bags, so I wouldn't wait long before making your move.
