Isabelle Shaw
Tote bags have stayed fashionable over time whereas bum bags, mini bags, and satchels have come and gone – and come back again. The reason? Tote bags are incomparable in both functionality and look – and no other bag can compete with its evolution.
The tote bag originated from an ice carrier in 1944 by LL Bean but has since evolved into a stylish accessory worn by all in the modern age. It has become a long-lasting staple in everyone’s wardrobe.
The features of a tote bag contribute to its longevity within fashion. There are four different characteristics of the accessory, which give it the power to be an everlasting trend.
The versatility of the tote bag
First up, the tote bag’s incredible versatility is what makes it consistently fashionable. The bag is extremely multifunctional, due to the variety of sizes and shapes, allowing it to hold many different items. Its size also allows for the typical consumer to stuff all their products in a way a normal bag couldn’t.
From shopping bags to travel bags, totes have many practical uses. They can replace a backpack or a purse, making it useable in every social situation. The tote bag is not confined to formal or informal occasions – it can dress up and dress down an outfit.
The tote’s expansive history best demonstrates its range, showing how it has evolved and its multi-purpose use.
First used as an ice carrier in 1944, your average tote usually holds laptops and school supplies. An even earlier version of the tote was used in Paris, during the 1860s. It was a similar type of leather bag was used by travelling workers to carry valuables and bedding.
Later, in 1950s America, the tote bag first became a cultural asset, replacing the handbag. In the 1980s, the tote became a useful advertising tool, with businesses beginning to apply their logos to the bag as a form of promotion. This continued until 2014 when The New Yorker created a cult following by giving out free bags to their subscribers.
Today, tote bags are still a common freebie, especially when visiting universities or businesses.
A sustainable bag
The tote bag is well-known for its sustainability, in comparison to single-use, plastic bags. The bag’s longevity and reusability are what make them so environmentally friendly.
Totes are made from a non-woven polypropylene material that holds its shape, meaning the material is easily reusable. Additionally, the cotton is waterproof and can therefore be used in all seasons.
Anya Hindmarch’s campaign “I’m Not a Plastic Bag” promoted the tote bag as an environmentally friendly alternative.
As a result, the tote bag became an eco-friendly alternative worldwide, helping to decrease the use of plastic bags, with major supermarkets, such as Waitrose and Sainsbury’s, adopting them.
A form of self-expression and identity
A tote can carry so many designs, meaning so many ways to express yourself. It acts like a blank canvas, which people can customise to suit their personality and identity!
Totes can easily strike up conversations and form friendships between strangers, especially after finding out you have a favourite book or TV show in common.
They can also connect current and former university students by showing where they study. Totes can even connect like-minded thinkers, through bags that promote beliefs such as slogans from political parties.
It is a testament to the power of the bag, as it provides a window into someone’s personality, showing strangers a fragment of who you are. Seeing a familiar slogan, photo, or brand can make strangers seem more familiar.
It proves that fashion can be a form of communication. As Kyle Chayka said in the Guardian, totes help tell others “who you are and where you have been.”
It is inclusive!
It’s clear that totes are an expression of our identities and beliefs, so what’s even better about the bag is that it offers a large variety of designs offers, meaning everyone is spoilt for choice.
Chayka argued in the Guardian, that men can challenge the traditional ideas of masculinity by wearing the tote, as men can use them to express their personality, just like women, without being considered too effeminate.
They also vary in price, making them affordable for everyone. For example, Forever 21 sells a $6 avocado tote, while Dior flashes a tote worth $3,250.
Despite attempts by designer brands to make totes a symbol of exclusivity, it has remained an inclusive and affordable bag that is accessible and popular among the masses.
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Featured image courtesy of Stephen Kraakmo on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.
Isabelle Shaw
Isabelle is a student at the University of Edinburgh studying History and Spanish. She is an aspiring journalist with a focus on writing articles that help contribute to change and understanding of women's rights.