Tote Bag Culture
What is it about the tote bag that makes me and so many other people my age love it? I seem to gravitate towards my plain canvas tote nowadays rather than a designer handbag. I find it becoming increasingly popular to see my friends, classmates, and strangers on the street slinging their branded and personalized totes over their shoulders on the way to do groceries, grab a coffee, or even attend class. I’ve narrowed it down to a few concrete reasons why this bag has trumped the competition in popularity and quantity within my own personal wardrobe and if you’re anything like me, maybe this will help make sense of your choices too.
Ease
Out of the many bags in my closet, none can fit everything I need perfectly. In essence, the tote just allows you to cram everything into one zipper-less and pocket-less bag, but in reality, it allows you to organize your belongings into an easily visible inventory of everything you’ve brought with you. The size and shape allow for laptops, groceries, blankets, and anything that you can cram in between two pieces of fabric. This makes it an extremely appropriate bag to carry to a coffee date, then to a grocery run, and then after to a picnic at the beach.
Adaptability
Because of its lightweight design and minimal style, this bag can pretty much go with the flow of your schedule and lifestyle. If you are headed to a fancy dinner but don’t want to bring a clutch- or if statement bags just aren’t your thing- you can dress up your tote with a silk scarf delicately tied on the handle. Not only does this flow with the below topic, but it allows you to use the same tote in multiple settings. Due to its neutral canvas colored state, it also is able to be paired with many outfits. At the flick of the wrist, you can coordinate your tote with your outfit, add some bling to it, and totally change your look.
Self-Expression
I think my most prominent reason as to why I love my tote collection, is that it’s also a reflection of myself. My favorite tote has a graphic and the words “Trust The Universe” written across it and was given to me by my best friend. I not only think of him as I use my bag, but it’s also a little daily reminder that what will be, will be. I love walking around and spotting everyone’s personalized totes with quotes, companies, and images on them. It’s almost like a walking advertisement for someone’s personality. And since almost every clothing store, company, and coffee shop has produced its own branded tote, they are available and adorable for consumers’ reach which makes them almost addicting to buy, collect, and curate your own little tote gallery.
So, next time you’re walking in the street and happen to see a tote, check it out, ask questions! You never know what you can learn about a person just by what kind of bag they choose to throw their stuff in.
Also, check out this humorous New York Times article all about tote bag culture! It definitely rings true and brings a smile to my face.