THE CULT OF THE CURVES TOTE
Congratulations. You've secured the most-coveted bag of the season. Now, let's style it.
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If 2026 is the year of the horse, then February is the month of the Sean Brown Curves bag.
If you don’t know Sean Brown from his totes, you may have seen his viral CD rugs circulating across social media.
The Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist and creative director of Curves, an expansive homeware and clothing brand, marries minimalist design with Black culture. The result? Distinguishable pieces and unmatched home staples.
On February 9, Brown restocked his knit tote bags. It sold out within minutes.
Curves bags have been popular among digital spaces for a while, but the notoriety it built this month feels like a precursor to the global popularity that awaits.
I’m also seeing similarities between the Curves tote and the Telfar shopping bag. The virality, the frequent out-of-stock cycles and the think pieces about why these totes are or aren’t the next best thing in shopping.
Owning one may be the next symbol of cultural cachet for younger consumers—much like the Telfars were and still are.
The Curves tote bag craze isn’t a cult (though the headline does sound nice phonetically) but there is something to be said about the cult of shopping. It’s a system that influences what we buy and how we engage with culture through our spending habits.
Myself included.
In the age of fast-fashion and even faster waste buildup, buying items is as important as wearing them consistently. We’re building lifelong wardrobes not cycling through fads, after all.
Of course, you can seamlessly tack the Curves bag to a go-see look, but springtime warrants eccentric styles, vibrant colors and cozy textures. So if you’ve fiended off thousands of hopeful Curves owners, congratulations. Now let’s see how to wear it for more than one occasion.
The beauty in the Curves tote bag lies within its versatility. You can make this bag the nucleus of your outfit or a supporting staple. For a beach day, choose the latter. B Fyne’s swimsuits are like art for the body. Complement it with complementary colors.
What to Wear to the Beach:
Bikini: Caya One Piece, $210 $189
Jeans: Curves Knit Tote Bag (Sapphire), $60
Bag: Cotton On 91 Wide Jeans, $80 $40
Sandals: Tory Burch Kira Sport Sandals, $298 $149
Picnic days are approaching. That means warmer weather and an extra hour of sunset. Spring babies are in full bloom.
When the equinox approaches, I become a sucker for corsets, color and all things big, including baggy shorts and chunky wedges. Go big or go home.
What to Wear to a Picnic:
Corset: Dealmore Corset, $41 $28
Shorts: Kut From the Kloth Mandy Bermuda Shorts, $119 $89
Wedges: Melissa Free Platform Thongs, $99
Bag: Curves Knit Tote Bag (Raspberry), $60
Since traveling through a government shutdown, I’ve prioritized what I can control: style, punctuality and comfort. And there’s nothing more satisfying than having your bags checked and a light carry-on.
Packing cubes, comfortable slippers and a lightweight tote bag is the name of the game now.
What to Wear to the Airport:
Top: Uniqlo Oversized Sweatshirt, $50
Bottoms: Uniqlo Straight Sweatpants, $50
Bag: Curves Knit Tote Bag (Chocolate), $60
Hat: Favorite Daughter Baseball Cap, $47
Shoes: Crocs Classic Cozzzy Slippers, $50
For historically Black colleges and universities, style is a vehicle for personal expression and students are tastemakers for what’s cool. Still, don’t let “fashion show” allegations deter you from the truth: on any given day, expect to see the casual sweats and tote bag combo.
This is the revamped version.
What to Wear to Campus:
Sweater: John & Jenn by Line Maddy Pullover, $135 $37
Jeans: True Religion Bailey Mid Rise Barrel Jeans, $164 $115
Bag: Curves Knit Tote Bag (Lemongrass), $60
Sneakers: Nike Low Retro Dunks, $115 $58
Water Bottle: Thyme & Table 26 oz Water Bottle, $13
The first month of TTS has been quiet yet fulfilling. I’ve been slowly building this platform and it’s one of the things that makes me feel at home with myself. As we enter our second month, I’d love to know what’s on your top shelf—the thing that is an instant and consistent buy for you.
For me, it’s the Curves tote bag. I’m patiently waiting for a restock. If you are too, you can subscribe to Sean Brown to get updates.
