Ready To Get On The Bookish Tote Bag Trend?

Literature lovers wear their passion on their shoulders with bookish tote bags, turning fashion into a language that connects them to one another.

Fashion weaves its way into every corner of our lives — from economics and politics to art and literature. But when it comes to literature, the relationship is so intimate that it’s hard to tell who’s inspiring whom. Does fashion shape literature, or does literature shape fashion?

One of the oldest – yet still beloved – intersections of these worlds is the humble canvas tote bag, emblazoned with the logos and names of favourite bookshops. It’s a brilliant marketing move: a stylish, practical way for readers to carry their latest literary treasures while proudly repping their favourite bookstore.

On the bustling streets of Dublin, where students and office workers rush past with heavy loads of books and notebooks, the totes from Books Upstairs, Shakespeare & Co., and Hodges Figgis are instantly recognisable — almost like secret handshakes for book lovers.

@rosy25670 I think I might have a problem 😅 #booktok #book #books #bookworm #bookshop #bookshoptotebag #dublin #dublinbookshop #tote #totebags ♬ I’m Obsessed – Song Candy

But this trend doesn’t stop at bookshops. Writers themselves have embraced it, offering tote bags adorned with book covers, character illustrations, and memorable quotes. Think of Irish writer Sally Rooney or British novelist Coco Mellors — authors whose characters resonate so deeply with readers that carrying a tote becomes a tactile way to hold onto that emotional connection.

After finishing a novel, buying its matching tote bag feels like extending the story into everyday life, turning private affection into a public statement.

This year, the bookish tote bags made a dramatic leap — from local bookshops to the stage of high fashion. Enter Jonathan Anderson, the new creative director at Dior, whose spring/summer 2026 menswear collection featured two statement-making book totes.

One celebrates Les Liaisons Dangereuses, displaying aristocratic elegance which echoes with Dior’s classic heritage. The other nods to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, a gothic tale exploring Victorian anxieties around the unknown and immigration — themes that feel strikingly relevant today.

 

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This isn’t fashion’s first literary love affair. Kim Jones at Fendi drew on Virginia Woolf’s Orlando for his spring/summer 2021 collection. Loewe has referenced the gothic worlds of Emily Brontë and Oscar Wilde in autumn/winter 2018 collection.

Meanwhile, fashion houses like Yves Saint Laurent and Miu Miu have opened bookstores and sponsored literary salons, celebrating both contemporary thought and timeless classics.

While couture-level literary bags remain out of reach for a broader demographic (especially in these uncertain economic times), there are plenty of more accessible options.

Take Library Science, founded by model Kia Garber and writer Alyssa Reeder. Their minimalist mini bag, stamped with the phrase “back to literature.” on a simple beige background, promises to hold only the essentials: “your book, your phone, a highlighter, and nothing else.”

The Yale Review offers a charming cotton canvas tote saying “little magazine” in neon pink. Pacific Books collaborated with French label Soeur on a delicate cream tote embroidered simply with “Books,” projecting effortless chic.

 

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If minimalism isn’t your vibe, brands like Well Read turn classic novels into wearable art. Their green leather crossbody purse modelled on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, decorated with golden peacock feathers, has become a viral favourite among Gen Z on TikTok. In videos, young readers share the joy of receiving compliments on both their literary taste and their impeccable style.

@wellreadco Replying to @samanthaeddy94 Christmas gift inspo🎄❤️ #thelittleprince #lepetitprince #lepetitprincesaintéxupery #bookishgifts #bookishgift ♬ push pop – tae

A scroll through these #BookToks makes one thing clear: the bookish tote bag isn’t just about stylish trend. It’s also a wearable expression of one’s self, beliefs, values, passions, and even a powerful social bridge, helping readers find and connect to like-minded souls, whether they’re fans of gothic horror novels or romantic classics.

Because carrying a tote bag featuring a favourite book, character, or quote is an easy conversation starter – a silent promise that you already share a world of similar ideas and interests like a love for literary stories that, through influence and interconnectedness of fashion, are no longer confined to the page but can be proudly carried on your shoulder.

Words by Dana Shmyha