UTILITY by Yu Mei
Introducing the UTILITY ecosystem—twelve pieces designed to transfer and fit seamlessly within each other and the Yu Mei mainline, the next step in our pursuit of creating modern tools and thoughtful carrying solutions. Designed to streamline daily life and informed by our own experiences of living, working and travelling, we’ve created a collection of UTILITY pieces that work together to simplify everything you pack and carry in a day.
The UTILITY number system denotes the compatibility of pieces within the Yu Mei product offering. Our leather range and each UTILITY tote are assigned a value—and holds within it a sum of implements that make up its total.
UTILITY by Yu Mei is engineered exclusively in ECONYL® regenerated nylon. The material is created by recovering nylon waste, such as fishing nets, carpets and industrial waste destined for landfill. The waste is recycled to its original purity through a radical regeneration and purification process, into quality nylon yarn.
For every 10,000 tonnes of ECONYL® raw material produced, 70,000 barrels of crude oil are saved, and 65,100 tonnes of CO2 emissions are avoided—reducing the global warming impact of nylon by up to 90% compared with new material made from oil.
But let’s start with the basics—a step-by-step guide to the Art of Packing.
Our bestselling Braidy Bag fit for lunchbox and laptop (13").
SELECT YOUR LARGE BAG
The big bag, for those heavy duty carrying jobs. When selecting yours, consider—what do you carry in a day? Do you like to throw everything in, or prefer to keep organised with separate pockets and compartments? Do you want something more casual and relaxed, with a draped shape? Or something more structured for your professional self?
1.00 Landscape Tote
The Landscape Tote [1] proportioned to suit the most substantial carrying jobs, the perfect home for your Large Organiser. Made from ECONYL® regenerated nylon—this bag will weather wetness and cleverly converts from a tote to a well organised baby bag and gym bag for heavy-duty travel duffle, the next step in our pursuit of creating modern tools and thoughtful carrying solutions.
0.75 Portrait Tote
The Portrait Tote [2] is a spaciously sized bag, suited to commuters, travellers and beach-goers. This book bag features leather handles and fastens with toggle closure, and generously fits our Medium Organiser and laptops of all sizes. Essential for those on the go, that want a fit for purpose bag—and don’t mind a bit of rough and tumble.
0.75 Claudia Tote
Our Claudia Tote [3] is the ideal bag for those who need to carry a lot and want to look good doing it—from mothers to gym-goers to regular travellers. With enough room to pack for an overnight trip or as a carry-on, Claudia is unfussy in shape and practical in proportion. It features an exterior pocket that unzips at the bottom, transforming into a sleeve to slide over your suitcase handle.
0.65 Medium UTILITY Braidy
The Medium UTILITY Braidy [4] is a sizeable daily tote with proportions designed to fit the wearer’s daily life—a carrying companion that can fit your laptop and workday, parental equipment, evening outfit, or backup plan (or all of the above). Always prepared and effortlessly packable, the structured silhouette bears substantial weight, while the well-proportioned strap allows for a comfortable fit on your shoulder or hooked on your arm.
0.45 Teresa Tote
The Teresa Tote [5] is one of our more spacious hold-alls, thanks to her deep bucket shape. It fits a laptop (and a Bolton Folio to keep said laptop safe), spare jumper, iPhone, notebook—even a pair of gym shoes. A relaxed fit makes her easy to stuff and go, while her buttery soft deer nappa exterior ensures perpetual chicness.
SELECT YOUR ORGANISER
Organisers are not only great tools to keep the contents of your large bag organised, they’re also practical ways to make your daily life easier. Conveniently catalogue your personal items, no matter how little or much—all sized organisers are designed to transfer and fit seamlessly within each other and the Yu Mei mainline pieces. Remember, our leather range and each UTILITY tote are assigned a value—and holds within it a sum of implements that make up its total, so check you’re choosing the size that will work with your carrying wardrobe.
0.80 Large Organiser
Engineered for heavy lifting—the Large Organiser [1] features 15 specifically designed areas, function is at the fore of this design. This piece allows for easy conversion of the Landscape or Tom Tote to a gym or baby bag.
0.50 Medium Organiser
Elevate your carrying experience with the Medium Organiser [2]—designed to conveniently catalogue your daily commute. The Medium Organiser houses your phone, keys and—plus laptop, chargers, files and light gym gear or travel essentials.
0.30 Small Organiser
The Small Organiser [3] is essential for storing your keys, phone, wallet, glasses and chargers—ensuring items remain right where you left them for easy transition between bags.
Our 'Emily Pouch' in Coconut Shell: a practical pouch for work or play
CHOOSE YOUR MEDIUM BAG
‘Medium bags’ are an essential piece of your capsule carrying wardrobe. Stow away in your large bag or organiser so it’s handy to pop out to lunch with, or take to that event you forgot was in your calendar.
CHOOSE YOUR IMPLEMENTS
The last piece of the tetris puzzle, implements are designed to lay flat and file on top of one another. Pouches and envelopes house makeup, skincare, cables, pencils, pens and everything else you find at the bottom of your bag. Cable ties add an extra layer of organisation to tangled cords, simply loop, wrap and secure—leave them attached to your cords so they travel with you wherever you go—a system engineered for fully-fledged function.
0.15 Pouch
The Emily Pouch reimagined in ECONYL® regenerated nylon. Designed for organising makeup brushes, bottles, ointments and creams. Pockets for cotton buds, hair ties and gua sha tools, or equally suited for cable and technology convenience.
0.10 Envelope
Suitable for documents, boarding passes, hair ties, hand creams, pens and pencils—the much loved Adrian Envelope, now in ECONYL® Regenerated Nylon.
On one hand, 'Sebastian Wallet' looks after cards and cash, and in the other, our 'Adrian Envelope' keeps safe boarding passes, jewllery, hand creams and hair ties.
CHOOSE YOUR SMALL LEATHER GOODS
Small leather goods keep your small items safe and easily to hand. The range includes wallets of varying sizes—from slimline cardholders for the most minimal among us, to larger wallets that can carry an abundance of cash, cards and coins. The key fob and clippable clutch attach to the D-links in our larger styles, always at the ready.
CARE AND PROTECT
Proper care ensures your leather goods will be fit for a lifetime of use. Familiarise yourself with our care guide for premium leathers and specialty fabrics, or enquire about our Bag Laundry service for more stubborn mishaps.
RECYCLE
Extend the useful life of your beloved bags and accessories by submitting to our circularity programme, Carried Again. If you have a bag that you’re finding you no longer use, submit it to us. You’ll receive a credit towards your next purchase, and we’ll refurbish your bag and match it with a loving new owner, preventing waste and encouraging conscious consumption.