Tote Bags- A Brief Glance At The History And The Introduction Of Modern Bags June 25, 2021 08:00
The term- tote bag is nothing new to us. The wholesale custom bags designed in a tote style have become highly popular as one of the best corporate gifts. As modern consumers like to carry these totes, companies like to buy bags for a promotional campaign. Moreover, totes are affordable, and startups can easily invest in them.
Totes refer to large bags integrated with two parallel handles stitched to two sides. The best tote bags are made of strong and sturdy fabrics to endure the weight of several items. The durable totes keep up their shapes and original look in spite of the regular usage. Today, you can find designer tote bags available in a range of shapes, colors, and prints. Their styles suit users of different personalities, and you can use them on any occassion.
But, who knows the history of the origin of totes? It is interesting to look back at the old tote designs and the evaluation of the modern tote bags.
The beginning of the use of tote bags-
Totes had made its entry to the market since the 17th century. Now, they are one of the parts of our fashion. Originally, tote bags were similar to pouches, and consumers used to wear them around your waist. The highly embellished totes were a symbol of wealth and status of users.
LL Bean, a prominent US company designed a bag to carry wood and ice. It had led to the origin of totes during the 1940s. The ice bag, made of canvas, could last for several years. Then, the company re-launced a bag that is presently referred to as the boat bag. These boat bags are available in a range of sizes, colors, and finishes.
During the 1950’s, there was an increasing popularity of tote bags for different purposes. Women started using them as their handbags. However, at that time, they did not focus too much on the style of the bags. The functional value of the bags was highly important for them. Lots of women used to carry tote bags as the low maintenance option.
An amalgamation of fashion and functionality-
As L. L. Bean had already set the feminine tone for the tote bags, other bag designers tried took things further. When it was 1960s, designers started creating tote bags of different styles to reveal the sense of social and political and awareness. Thus, the bag designs started flourishing, and old tote bag designs gained a fresh life. Totes had become more common to consumers who used to carry them as grocery sack and purse.
Bonnie Cash in, one of the prominent designers, created a bold and stunning carry tote. This tote bag had perfectly matched the fashion of that time. Cashin later partnered with a leather product brand- Coach. It led to the manufacturing of costly tote bags.
During the 1980s, there was an introduction of the new tote model similar to the modern-day bags. These bags are made of fabrics, like cotton and canvas. The major purpose of those bags is to carry the store-bought items. At that time, brands started using tote bag canvas custom designs for promotional and advertising purposes. A legendary bookstore (The Strand) in New York City introduced a unique version of the fabric tote bag. This bag model did not take much time to spread the popularity. Made with interior lining and cotton duck canvas, the Strand Tote turned out to be a must-have accessory for consumers looking for beauty, comfort, artistic design, and usefulness.
Interestingly, both The Strand and L.L. Bean continued their effort to add a fresh design to the tote bags every years. That is why you can find lots of innovations in the tote bag models. These bags inspired other designers to design totes of higher standards that match different needs and tastes. These initiatives resulted in the introduction of iconic purses and bags.
Tote bags after 90s-
Totes in the 90s were slightly over sized bags. They can accommodate a high amount of goods for commercial purposes.
In 2000, manufacturers started using polypropylene for designing promotional tote bags. As polypropylene is a lightweight fabric, it is very easy to customize the fabric.
In 2008, several grocery store owners began to invest in reusable tote bags. These organic bags show the eco-consciousness of these grocery businesses.
Today, totes play multiple roles and they serve users of diverse needs. Some tote designs include strong zippers, leather, trims, Velcro straps, badges, and several other features. There are bag designers fulfilling promotional needs of businesses. Both small and big companies buy mini canvas tote bags bulk for advertising campaigns.
Lots of women like to use cotton and canvas tote bags as their fashion purses, whereas others choose them for shopping purposes. Due to the increasing concern about environment, custom-made canvas bags also became reliable choice to solve the sustainability issue.
Everywhere you can see tote bags of some unimaginable designs. From fashionable burlap totes to plan cotton totes, there is a range of options. You may find bags featuring multiple shades, and you may personalize them in your own way.
Modern totes are reusable-
The tote bags have a glorious history, and they have continuously retained their popularity. Eco-conscious shoppers like to use reusable fabric tote bags. However, you can find diversity in the range of materials used for tote bag designs.
A sum-up of the tote bag history-
From a minimalist ice bag to an intricately designed fashionable bag, totes have a long history. While they were once bags to carry items, they had turned out to be promotional gifts. The long history reveals two major facts-
- Totes are the most versatile bags in the fashion-conscious world.
- They will never lose their value in the future years.
