You've certainly seen it at least once before at the supermarket, on the beach, on the street... but if you read this article, you're probably wondering what a tote bag is used for.
In a few years, tote bags have been made in various materials: Leather tote, Canvas tote, Straw tote. They have managed to find their place in the cruel and merciless universe of the bag.
Practical and multi-functional, you can put everything and anything in it: books, chopsticks, clothes, bathing suits, flip-flops, canned peas... just name it!
TOTE BAG: DEFINITION AND ORIGIN
According to Wikipedia, a tote bag is a large and often unfastened bag with parallel handles that emerge from the sides of its pouch. The word "tote" is probably African in origin and came into English via Gullah.
For a long time, the use of the tote bag has been reserved for a shopping bag and a beach bag. Indeed, its large capacity allows you to put everything you need in it, so you don't have to drag several bags at the same time.
The designs were also been very simple and not very fashionable.
But that time is now over. The tote bag is now available in various materials, colors and sizes, which makes it extremely versatile and can be used for different occasions.
5 PRACTICAL USE OF TOTE BAGS
- The Professional Tote Bag for Work
Professional tote bags are the smart and chic choice for the polished professional or busy woman on the go. For a busy day spent navigating from the office to meetings to errand runs, nothing comes in quite as handy or reliable as a bag designed to carry your work materials and personal essentials in functional, fashionable style.
Professional totes bags are usually made of leather (faux or genuine) and feature minimal exterior details, such as zippers, buckles, locks or, occasionally, more fashion-forward elements, like studs or tassels.
The purpose is to be able to easily adapt to any office dress code either you're required to adhere to very strict policy, stick with straightforward, timeless designs that will move easily from work to after hours.
Professional tote bags may require a bag that features a Laptop sleeve or at least a tablet (verify the measurements for the Laptop size), documents and notebooks for your business requirements. Other details that can bring an added value: exterior or interior pockets for quick access items, cell phone compartments or pen holders.
- The Versatile Tote Bag For Every Day
The everyday tote bag is your formal professional-looking, Carry all bag with a few eye-catching details (tassel, pom-pom...). This is the type of bag you can easily carry from a work interview to dinner with friends or a little walk in the city.
The interior is spacious enough (without being bulky) to hold the small purchases you will make on the way. If you are the type who hates to carry several bags at the same time, you might consider having a tote bag.
It can also be a very good option for adults who are going back to school and don't want to look like a young student.
If you're about to go away for a weekend trip or need a trusty, spacious overnight bag, then a tote bag is totally there for you.
- The Minimalist Tote Bag For The Beach
Tote bags are great for day trips to the beach or a quick picnic to the park. With plenty of room to hold a towel, sunscreen, snacks, lunch, books...what more could you ask for? Large straw tote bags are very popular since they are offering a lightweight design and pervade your outfit with the coolest bohemian vibes ever!
You can shop fun, printed designs with fabric handle variations, such as rope, to serve as your new chilling best friend.
- The Chic Diaper Tote Bag for Moms
If you are looking for a diaper bag with plenty of compartments, pouches, and pockets, then a regular diaper tote bag may not be the right choice for you.
But if you’d rather carry a bag with a compact size to simply toss in what you need (with a pocket or two for your phone and keys, of course) and a design that goes from work to daycare and does not compromise with your style, then you may consider buying a tote diaper bag.
- The Tote Bag For Daily Tasks
Shopping bag, laundry bag, home storage... there are few most popular tote bags uses. Indeed, their large size keeps everything easily in one place.
For the shopping, you can either opt for the classic mass-produced tote bags or a tote bag that will securely hold your purchases without compromising your style.
Tote bags are also a good way of storing your dirty laundry. A small tote will serve as the perfect laundry companion while you're traveling; when a larger version will be more practical for daily uses and to use as a Shopper bag.
COMMON CRITERIA THAT DEFINE A TOTE BAG
- Shape
The majority of tote bags can be identified by their shape: square, rectangular or basket.
They feature a large opening to the main pocket for easy storage (depending on the style, they are also additional small pockets for quick access items), overhung by two handles used to hold the bag.
The shape of the bag generally varies according to the size of the bag
- Large Size
This is definitely one of the most appreciated aspects of tote bags. They are big and roomy enough to hold loads of useful stuff for any purpose. You can fit everything that you will need for a day at work and extend the day to dinner with your friends.
- Durability
Considering all that can be put in (and God knows that we tend to put a lot into), tote bags are characterized by their solidity and long-lasting endurance (especially the wrists), which allows them to support the load of their container.
Tote bags made of leather, canvas, and nylon are renowned on the market for their durability.
- Versatility
Nowadays, tote bags come in an abundance of varied designs and shape which brings a million ways to use them. They can be used as shopping bags, gym bags, work bags, beach bags, overnight bags, laptop bags, weekend bags, travel bags... your imagination is the only limit.
You can even make your own if you're crafty!