An In Depth Look at Bleu de Chauffe’s Meline Tote Bag

The Bleu de Chauffe Meline is an end-level Tote Bag for folks serious about this style of luggage, and one that deserves a closer look.

James Smith

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If there is one bag that carries the modern wardrobe, it’s the tote. It’s a versatile and adaptable beast that can be effortlessly clutched or slung over the shoulders of beach-goers, city slickers, workwear heads, fashionistas, and everyone in between — all while offering equable functionality.

It’s not hard to find a tote bag, but it is hard to find a tote bag made to the same specs as Bleu de Chauffe‘s Meline. Fresh for 2025 and available in a swathe of colorways, the Meline is handcrafted in the South of France by one of the best bagmakers in existence. This is an end-level tote bag for folks who are serious about this style of luggage, and one that deserves a closer look.

A Brief History of the Tote Bag

Due to the fundamental design of the tote bag, its earliest origins are unknown. Ancient civilizations crafted bags from woven plant fibers or animal hide to transport goods and possessions, including dual-strapped bags akin to the modern tote bag. The Industrial Revolution of the 19th century saw totes begin to take a more rugged form, crafted from heavier cotton and/or leather for the transportation of hand tools and materials. Despite this, use of the term ‘tote bag’ wouldn’t actually be recorded until around 1900.

L.L. Bean is credited with popularizing the tote bag in 1944 by conceiving its Ice Carrier, a thick canvas tote bag designed for transporting ice “from car to ice chest”. Despite the popularity of the Ice Carrier, the rise of synthetic materials such as plastic and nylon in the 50s and 60s provoked a decline in demand for sturdy cotton totes. Mass-produced synthetic carrier bags became widely available in a consumerist culture that would continue to lean further into convenience and disposability. Artisanal tote bags from skilled, domestic makers became harder and harder to come by as the years went by.

Fast forward to the early 2010s and the cotton tote is back with a bang, particularly as an environmentally conscious alternative to single-use plastic bags. Despite typically being emblazoned with brand logos or marketing slogans, tote bags became a real fashion statement with folks from all walks of life toting their daily essentials around in natural cotton totes. But not everyone wanted to use a thin, branded cotton cloth tote bag. As with any fashion product, there is a niche of consumers who want to buy less and buy better, leading a small population of quality makers to produce heritage-centric tote bags from materials like heavy cotton twill, canvas, and/or leather.

Bleu de Chaufe is carrying the torch for quality tote bags, leading from the front with its Musette Meline.

The Bleu de Chauffe Meline

The Bleu de Chauffe Meline blends the ruggedness of antique tool bags with modern design and practical sensibilities. Coming in 4 colorways including a beautiful tartan, each is built with heavyweight waxed canvas from the legendary British Millerain and heavy-duty vegetable-tanned leather.

You can comfortably haul the Meline in 2 ways – by the leather handles or the robust cotton shoulder straps. In terms of storage, this tote-to-end-all-totes has a spacious main section that includes a detachable slim compartment for your valuables, and two handy outer compartments for quick access to your favorite novel, chocolate bar, or water bottle. The main section includes a press stud closure to keep things neat if you have light cargo, and the outer compartments are finished with leather welts to prevent fraying.

By the Numbers:

Shell Material: British Millerain 18 oz. Lick Wax Canvas

Strap & Materials: Heavyweight cotton webbing & vegetable-tanned leather

Trims & Accents: Vegetable-tanned leather

Details:

• Made by one maker from start to finish

• Internal zip compartment for valuables

• Press stud closure

• Dual exterior pockets

• Available in Khaki, Camel, Navy, & Tartan

Available at Bleu de Chauffe for $225

Materials

British Millerain 18 oz. Lick Wax Canvas

We harp on about waxed canvas at Heddels and for good reason. It’s a functional yet beautiful fabric that provides water resistance, rugged charm, and the potential for patina all in one hardwearing package. British Millerain is one of the OGs and most revered suppliers of such a fabric, meaning this 18 oz. Lick Wax Canvas is absolutely going to be with you for the long haul.

Vegetable-Tanned Leather & Heavyweight Cotton Webbing

Another esteemed fabric in our niche, vegetable-tanned leather is known for aging beautifully, as well as being the product of a more environmentally-friendly tanning process (when compared to chrome tanning). In the case of the Meline, veg0tan leather can be seen on trims and hand-carry handles.

Leather is great but not as comfortable for your shoulders. Bleu de Chauffe fitted the Meline with a heavy-duty cotton webbing shoulder strap that’s comfortable and won’t chew your jacket up. These straps are molded at the centers for comfortable carrying and come in a contrasting color across each variant.

How its Made

Like this? Read these:

The History of Waxed Cotton – Mariners, Steve McQueen, and Farmers

Dehen 1920’s Flight Vest Takes Off in 10 Oz. Halley Stevensons Waxed Cotton