Wine tote and Drip collar

Wine tote

Dull black carry-bags are so last season. As this latest wine accessory reveals, eyecatching wine totes are the new trend.

From homeware design house French Bull, these bright bags with a nod towards the 1960s, Austen Powers and all things funk-house and modern pop culture boast the signature style of designer Jackie Shapiro.

 

But don't let the designs alone tempt you. Made out of neoprene (wetsuitmaterial), these totes are also super practical - soft, durable, insulating, bottleprotective and machine washable. Clearly the designer was aiming for a fusion of fashion and function.

Because the material stretches, most bottles fit into the pockets with ease - even bigger-bottomed Champagne bottles do not pose a problem. Wines also stay cooler for longer than when not transported in a carry-bag.

These trendsetting totes are available from lifestyle company Built (as well as in branches of Spilhaus), with patterns ranging from plain to ultra-colourful Rainbow Flower (see picture), Vine (black vine creepers) and happy Multidot. They also vary in size, namely single, double or even six-pack.

By far the edgiest way to transport your wine, the totes drew enough attention from jealous patrons during testing to warrant a fashionista's thumbs-up.

Prices start at R169 for the unpatterned single sling and R249 for the six-pack tote. French Bull design totes are R239 for the single-bottle tote and R279 for the two-bottle tote.

Drip collar

Also from Built's food and drink section comes a neoprene drip collar. It's a pity that this is available in red and black only, as the funky designs afforded the wine totes would be such a fun way to jazz up a bottle of wine.

The machine-washable collar is functional, however, doubling up as a grip holder. R119 for a twin-pack.

Built, Tel 011 608 3650,
www.builtny.co.za.

Got a gizmo worthy of review? Mail Jeanri- Tine van Zyl at jeanri@ramsaymedia.co.za.