Loved by both mother and daughter. We take a closer look at the appeal of the TRICOTE special-order STONE pattern tote bag and maternity record case.

This is our "Staff Favorites Review," where the staff members who check and know ZUTTO products better than anyone share their own purchases with passion.

This time, we're featuring items that Staff H and her mother both use and love: the TRICOTE special-order knit tote bag and the maternity record case (multi pouch) . We'll introduce the appeal and usability of each.

＜Contents＞

・Knit Tote Bag Special-Order STONE

・Maternity Record Case (Multi Pouch) Special-Order STONE

■Knit Tote Bag Special-Order STONE

First up is Staff H's own favorite: the Knit Tote Bag Special-Order STONE.

■What Made Me Buy It

■How I Use It

Here's how I use it: I carry it as my everyday commuting bag.

The first favorite point I want to share is the large inner pocket. I keep frequently used items like earphones, a handkerchief, and lip balm in it.

It's a functional design with pocket parts attached so that items don't fall out. For someone like me who tends to lose track of things inside a bag, this feature was a very welcome one.

Another thing I've come to appreciate through use is the strength of the fabric. It's surprising that a knit fabric like this doesn't stretch out easily. By knitting vivid polyester thread together with a clear special thread at the same time, the fabric gains strength, firmness, and shine—resulting in a knit fabric that's light yet sturdy.

▽Here's a comparison between a brand-new one and one that's been used.

Top: used for 3 months, bottom: brand new—but there was no change in the length of the handles.

The same goes for the body of the bag. Even when carrying relatively heavy items like a laptop, the knit fabric showed no signs of stretching.

It's also soft and flexible, so it fits naturally against the body and is easy to carry. When worn over the shoulder, it naturally molds to your body, so it doesn't tire you out even when carried for long periods.

The length of the handles is also worth noting. They're just the right length, making it easy to sling over the shoulder even over outerwear. I often carry it over the shoulder, and thanks to the wide handles, the burden on my shoulder is reduced even when the load is heavy, so I can carry it comfortably.

■A Concern Before Purchase, Resolved

Since it's a patterned bag, I worried a bit that it might limit my outfit choices—but once I started using it, I realized just how versatile it really is.

Top / Skirt / Shoes

This is from a slightly dressed-up day. It also pairs well with a patterned skirt.

Dress / Pants / Shoes

This is my everyday commuting style. It became a nice accent point for an otherwise calm outfit.

■I'm Also Enjoying Pairing It with Brooches

After using it for a while, I started wanting to try some styling arrangements.

I tried attaching a pear-shaped brooch I'd bought recently. I couldn't help but pat myself on the back, thinking, "That really goes well with the pattern."

Canvas fabric tends to be thick, making it hard to pin through, and it often leaves marks—but with this fabric, there was no mark left even after removing the pin!

This shows it paired with a brooch that's set to go on sale soon. It matches nicely with the pattern of the textile, and even looks a bit like a cheetah's coat—which I find quite charming.

■Maternity Record Case (Multi Pouch) Special-Order STONE

Next up is a favorite of Staff H's mother: the Maternity Record Case (Multi Pouch) Special-Order STONE.

■What Made Me Buy It

■Why Staff H Recommended It

The size is A6. It fits easily even into a smaller tote bag.

■How she uses it

She keeps her regular medications and eye drops in the clear pocket on the left. On the right side, she keeps her clinic card, a mask, and her medication notebook.

When I asked my mother what her favorite feature was, the first thing she mentioned was this semi-transparent pocket that lets you see what's inside.

She told me she loves being able to quickly pull out medicine whenever her feet start to hurt from walking, or when her eyes get tired from reading.

My mother also mentioned that she appreciates how versatile it is. Since traveling is one of her hobbies, she also uses it as a passport case and a cosmetics pouch.

■A concern from the start, now resolved

When she touched it, the texture felt unique, and she wondered whether the pull tab wasn't made of paper after all, which made her a bit worried about its durability.

After looking into it, she found out that this pull tab is made of recycled leather. Learning it was a leather material put her mind at ease. Just like the knit material, its durability is excellent.

What is recycled leather?

It's an eco-friendly material made by crushing and reprocessing leather that would otherwise go to waste. It retains the original texture and moisture-absorbing qualities of leather, and though the change is gradual, you can enjoy how it develops over time.

After three months of actual use, there has indeed been a subtle change in both color and texture.

■Easy to care for

Since this is something you carry with you every day, how to care for it is naturally a point of interest.

Thanks to its water-repellent finish, it doesn't stain easily, but if you're ever concerned about dirt, please care for it as follows.

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Do not wash or dry clean; if it becomes dirty, wipe it with a damp towel or similar cloth.

※Please avoid bleaching with chlorine-based bleach.

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After three months of use by both my mother and myself, what stood out most was just how practical and durable it is.

The knit fabric, which I fell in love with at first sight for its cute appearance, doesn't lose its shape even when holding heavier items like a laptop, and it fits naturally and comfortably against the body, making it a daily companion. Thanks to the semi-transparent pocket and thoughtful storage design, my mother is happy that she can carry her important cards for hospital visits in a smart, organized way.

With its lovely patterns that brighten your mood, and its light yet durable feel with an elegant sheen, this is the STONE series, a special order from TRICOTE. This is an item that both my mother and I love, and we'd be delighted if you tried it out for yourself.

▽For those who want to learn more about the special order pattern "STONE," please see here

This special pattern was born from combining the concepts of TRICOTE, which often draws inspiration from nature, and ZUTTO, which introduces items that grow more appealing the longer you use them. In this article, we'll share the thoughts and feelings behind the design, and the process of how it came to take shape.