A tote bag is described as a large or roomy hand held bag (usually slung over the shoulders) to carry everyday items such as books, make up essentials and others. Usually, The word ‘tote’, which means ‘to carry’ can be mapped out all the way to the 17th century and was used liberally from the 20th century onwards.
Totes are handbags which are multi-tasked – and are a true American classic, and also popular the world over. A typical tote has within it, all sorts of items to cater to woman’s daily needs.
The elementary design of a tote is really quite basic; and typical outlines consist of one primary pocket, (sometimes with insets and dividers) and have closures of zippers, magnets or ties at the top apertures. The long strap handles are normally uncomplicated for easy hand-carrying or slung casually over one’s shoulders.
Fabrics and materials used to produce tote bags differ greatly. The more casual ones are usually rendered in canvas, basket weave, leather or denim. Because of a tote’s spacious planes, manufacturers more often than not display elaborate designs and prints on them, making them not just functional, but attention-grabbing.
Totes are especially useful for those who have a lot of things and do not have time to disseminate each item. From casual totes to business ones, each provides a multitude of roles, both independently or combined.
Although totes can look bulky and lumbering because of its superior size, it is this fact that makes it so appealing in the first place. A large tote can accommodate everything you would need to get through a day; from keys to wallets and extra pair of clothing, the tote bag is the universal symbol for the busy woman of today.
The inclination of the early tote bag can be traced back to 1944 with LL Bean’s introduction of the Boat Bag, meant for the boater crowd. The simple yet functional design quickly caught on, and designers began constructing different versions to make them more fashionable. Totes then were fused into the luggage market, and the leather travel tote became a world-wide sensation.
In the 1950s, totes became more popular and garnered momentum due to their practicality. As women began needing more things, the tote bag was perfect to accommodate these needs.
In the 1960s, Coach, a famous brand name designed by Bonnie Cashin. This created fashion fervor, and thousands upon thousands were sold almost immediately after hitting the fashion racks. In the 90s, designer Kate Spade used ultra feminine designs and made the tote an essential yet trendy bag for ladies of all ages. Like any successful fashion item, the Kate Spade tote bag was imitated in hundreds of variations, and is now a staple with women everywhere.
A good tote bag can accommodate all your essentials without appearing too heavy. The compartments inside can be used to store smaller items such as keys and wallets, whilst the main body can necessitate all your other items. The classic tote bag will always be similar in shape; what changes would most probably be the materials and designs. It will remain an essential article for a long time to come.