I’ve been looking for an affordable basic non-cotton tote that I can carry around and last week, I came across a black one at Artbox in AMK Hub. I was in a hurry and so I didn’t get it. I also didn’t notice the brand, except that I thought it looked like the Rootote that Tine has.
ROO Pocket adapted from the pouch of a kangaroo
Today, I was at the shop again and confirmed that they’re indeed Rootote, which is a line of canvas totes from Japan (made in China though) with interesting prints and designs. The unique selling point of these totes is their signature “ROO Pocket”, a cleverly concealed zippered side pocket adapted from the pouch of a kangaroo. If you’re a tote lover, I’m quite certain you’ll go ga-ga over the collection. They have 10 types of Rootote in Japan with even special designer versions commissioned from well-known artists, authors and illustrators such as Andy Warhol, Ed Emberley and Fumitake Uchida.
Rootote Medium more roomy & spacious
I had in mind the Rootote Medium Dot, which is in black. However, my husband didn’t like it and suggested two others. Eventually, I picked the Rootote Medium Corner and I realized that it’s the same one that Paris Beaverbanks had picked too, only after going over her entry again. Talk about having the same taste!
The workmanship is fairly sturdy and not shoddy but don’t expect too much. The medium tote is more roomy than their tall counterparts with a broader base, making it easy for you to reach for your items. I would have liked it better if they had a button or zip to close the opening of the tote but as you can see from the picture here, the tote bag is very useful with the various internal pouches. I haven’t figured out what to put in the ROO pocket though.
A number of Rootote Tall designs available
Anyway, at a price tag of S$19.90, I wouldn’t be surprised that I’ll end up getting another one soon. However, Artbox doesn’t have that many designs as what you see at the Japanese or the Australian websites. What they have are mostly Rootote Medium in Cotton and Polyester in the Fun Outing range as well as those cutesy designs from the RT. MED-Curieux range. There were only a limited number of Rootote Tall designs. But I think Artbox might bring in new designs soon because the shop updates their merchandise frequently. The SA also told me that Rootote is available at Raffles (not exactly sure where) for double the price!
So if you’ve been eyeing Rootote and do not want to get them online, you can always check them out at Artbox. Like the other two ladies, I’m loving my Rootote because it’s really functional and unique! I know I’ll like to have Camo for sure.
Now if only we can also have the Shinzi Katoh tote bags from Japan.
parisb
28 Sep 2008 at 10:25 am*high five* Awesome taste girl! 😉 I’m still loving mine and they have Roototes that close with a clasp – the Luxe version. I have one coming in that design soon
Paris: Hee… They have the clasp version? I should check out the next time. Not sure if they have it at Artbox.
Tine
28 Sep 2008 at 2:03 pmHey you got one too! Join the Roototes club. Haha :p
Tine: Yes, the Rootote Club is appropriate. 😉
gracie
29 Sep 2008 at 1:15 amOoh they have it in AMK hub? I must go check it out.
I saw a shop in Bugis Junction selling this as well. The shop sells accessories, bags, umbrellas from Japan. It on the first floor iirc. Same floor as the Wallet Shop and Crabtree and Evelyn. They are selling the medium ones for $22.
gracie: I wonder if the shop in Bugis has more selection. I’ll check it out if I get the chance. Thanks for the heads up! 🙂
prettybeautiful
29 Sep 2008 at 9:47 amnice. i saw people selling it online. me considering whether to get it or not, i saw some with zip opening and some without. i feel insecured without a zipper…
prettybeautiful: I know what you mean about feeling insecure…
MsLips
2 Oct 2008 at 12:41 pmSince reading this article, I have been obsessing about Rootote bags. I have looked at the Australian website a dozen times. Must go check out Bugis and AMK hub. I have my eye on the black polyester tall tote!
MsLips: I hope you’ll get what you want. I don’t know about Bugis, but there isn’t a big collection at AMK Hub for the tall totes. I don’t remember seeing any black ones actually apart from one in the medium totes collection.
MsLips
3 Oct 2008 at 10:29 pmI found a Singapore website that sells Roototes. It’s at http://www.Mela-co.com. They have an opening promo where you buy 3 Crutto bags for S$54. There’s also free postage for Singapore for the time being. I’ve placed my order and will let you know how it goes.
MsLips: I had a look at the website. Their medium ones are slightly cheaper than Artbox. But a lot of them are to be pre-ordered. I wonder why they don’t have the tall totes. Let me know when you get yours! 😉
x
22 Oct 2010 at 5:44 pmHi I know this is rather late, but i recently submitted an order for a rootote on mela-co. and after i paid, the person went MIA and stopped replying me. I’d like to know if your sale went through smoothly, and whether there is any other way to contact this person ‘joelle’ other than through email. thanks.
sesame
23 Oct 2010 at 9:13 amHi X: I’ve ordered from them a couple of months ago and the sale was fine. Hmmm…their email in on their website and that’s the only way to contact them.
Joelle
4 Nov 2008 at 10:32 pmThanks MsLips for mentioning Mela-Co website :). Hope that you had a wonderful shopping experience with Mela-Co.
Mela-Co started in mid September and at that moment of time, alot of products were not in. Hence, the pre-order sign. Have now stocked up more products to provide all visitor a more wonderful shopping experience.
Noticed some suggestions on tall totes … Will try my best to bring in a batch. Will make a post again when I manage to bring in the new batch.
Joelle
21 Nov 2008 at 11:34 pmHi all … the new batch of roototes are finally in. 🙂
Will be sending out an invitation to all regular customers before releasing on the website next week.
Hope to have some designs that will interest ladies out there.
Thanks for reading this post.
Denise
22 Dec 2009 at 12:09 amI recently got an artist designed tote bag, Birds by Lee Baker from Common Totes
Extremely good quality @ USD16 with free shipping to Singapore and Malaysia.
Quality similar to Rootote 🙂