Fair question. Here's a better one: what does it actually cost to make something right? We could make these cheaper, but here's exactly what we'd have to give up to do that.

Unlike most bags made from virgin synthetic materials produced overseas under conditions that prioritize volume over everything else, ours are made the opposite way. Doing the right thing (i.e. making sustainable products and treating people well) is expensive. Here's what we mean, and what actually goes into your (Co)llection ANDI:

1 — Upcycled materials are harder to work with than virgin ones. Sourcing, cleaning, inspecting, and cutting second-life billboard vinyl and fabric scraps takes significantly more time and skill than ordering rolls of new material. There's no uniformity, no predictability, no shortcuts. Every piece has to be evaluated individually. It costs more to do it this way. We do it anyway — because sending that material to landfill costs the planet more than we're willing to spend.

2 — Local labor, fair wages, excellent working conditions. Every bag in The (Co)llection is handmade in Denver at Esperanza Productions — a sew shop that employs people with barriers to employment and pays them fairly in a safe, supported environment. We don't offshore labor to reduce costs. We invest in our community because that's what "made with good values" actually means in practice, not just in marketing copy.

3 — These designs were refined obsessively — so they work exactly right for your life. The strap lengths, the pocket placement, the way each bag transforms between carry modes, the interior organization, the hardware — every detail went through round after round of testing and refinement. We don't release a bag until it works the way it's supposed to. That kind of design investment doesn't show up on a tag, but you feel it every time you use it.

4 — It replaces multiple bags — and is built to last a lifetime. The Tote carries four ways. The Crossbody carries three. These aren't single-use pieces — they're systems. And they come with a limited lifetime warranty because we built them to go the distance. When you factor in everything you're not buying because this bag does it all, the math changes pretty quickly.

5 — No two are identical. You're not buying a mass-produced product. Because every bag uses salvaged billboard material, yours will be slightly different from every other bag in existence. The color variations, the texture, the subtle details — that's not inconsistency. That's the nature of making something from materials that had a previous life. You're buying something genuinely one of a kind, made by a specific person, in a specific place, from specific materials.

We understand that $50–$375 is a real investment and we take that very seriously. Our promise is that your bag was made by someone who cared, from something that deserved a second chance, designed by a team that didn't stop until it was right. If you're looking for the cheapest bag, we're not it. If you're looking for the last bag you'll need for a long while — one that works hard, looks beautiful, and feels good to own — we think this is one of the best values out there.

Esperanza Productions in Denver is a spin-off of Mile High Workshop. They got their start by turning billboards into bags. They are known for upcycling, and so often companies will just drop off old unused materials at Esperanza so they don’t have to feel bad about landfilling them. That’s great, except unless we can find something to do with this discarded material, it becomes waste that sits around, waiting for a purpose. We said – challenge accepted! And so we used as many “donated” fabrics and trims as possible. Our favorite is the lanyards because they serve such a fantastic utilitarian purpose, forming the four closure clips on the (Co) Tote.

If possible, we recommend spot cleaning. If for some reason it needs a full bath, it is OK to put it in the washing machine on a cold/gentle cycle (air dry!) but over time and extended cycles, washing in a machine will affect the water-resistance of your bag.

Upcycled fabrics are diverted from landfill into something beautiful and supremely useful. Local production minimizes the footprint of fossil fuel usage from shipping. But the most sustainable bags are the ones that can be used over and over again. As we learned from collaborating with the scientists at NREL, the most important R in Reduce, Reuse and Recycle is  Reuse! These bags are built to last and to be supremely useful. If something needs repair, send it right back to our sew shop and we will get it fixed up for you with our Lifetime Warranty.

In addition to its hand-carry short handles and long strap for over-the-shoulder, the (Co) Tote shrinks in size, connecting the east and west clips to give a more sleek hobo bag silhouette for the days when you have less to carry – and it only takes one quick un-clip if you need to stop for some groceries or in case someone gives you a gift (you never know!).

Additionally, you can connect a long detachable strap to the east and west clips for a cross-body option.

In addition to crossbody wear, the (Co) Crossbody also transforms to a belt bag aka fanny pack aka waist pack. Its small carry handles can be used as a small handbag with or without the adjustable strap for more formal occasions. Thread the detachable strap through the back channel for belt bag mode — and from there, it's also surprisingly stylish as a chest pack or worn across the back like a bike bag. Same concept as crossbody, just closer to your person.

We highly recommend the (Co) Clip inside smaller bags like the main compartment of the (Co) Crossbody. In larger bags like the (Co) Tote, we also recommend the Favorite Pouch and the XL Favorite Pouch, which connect directly to the Keyleash which can connect to multiple touchpoints on our larger bags. This gives you a place for everything so you never have the “why can’t I find anything in this big bag” moment again, with each pouch easily moveable from one bag to another and everywhere in between.

So glad you asked. The backstraps on the (Co) Tote can hold everything from a big winter coat to a wet towel and bathing suit, a wide-brimmed hat, and yoga mat. We are confident there are even more things you can carry with these handy hands-free straps as well – please let us know what you use them for: email us - info@theandibrand.com