T: Tote (Noun)
June 24th, 2010 § 1 Comment
Synonyms: Carry-all, summer beach bag, better-than-a-backpack
Definition:
I’ve never been a backpack kind of girl. Even when I was a kindergartener and themed knapsacks were de-rigeur, I could never quite pull them off. I was always small, and the size of my book-stuffed backpack would overwhelm me. When it was hot, it would stick to my back. No matter what, they always made me feel, well, nerdy – like someone could push me into a locker at any moment and it would, in some twisted way, be totally deserved.
The messenger bag was a revelation. One strap, cross body, begging for patches and brooches and pins? It was perfect. I carried some version of a army-esque messenger all through high school, and my latest camel-colored-canvas version is still in heavy rotation.
But for the girl (or guy!) who needs to carry it all – gym clothes, lap top, ipad, breakfast/lunch/dinner, etc. – there’s the tote bag, a classic for all classics. Defined quite literally by Handbags.com (yes, this is a real website):
The standard blueprint for a tote bag includes one large pocket, occasionally with dividers or small inset pockets. All incorporate some type of closure, typically a zipper, tie or magnet, at the top opening. The handle is short and simple, provided for carrying with the hands or casually on the lower arm.
Most totes have a long enough strap that they can be slung over your shoulder, making them great for carrying half your life with you in style.
The be-all-end-all of tote bags (or rather, the begining) is the L.L. Bean boat bag, released in 1944 and built for the New England prepster. Perfect for a day on the yacht or on the beach, their versatile, durable tote was an instant hit. Today, totes come in all shapes, sizes, and fabrics, from madras patchwork cotton (my personal summer tote of choice – its the perfect amount of beat up) to classic camel leather (a keep-forever gift from my nana that’s perfect for weekend packing). (And yes, I know I have more bags than the average person needs).
The classic itself: the L.L. Bean boat bag in white and navy.
What about you, darling readers – whats your bag of preference? What are you throwing in your totes this weekend?
Footnote: Check out these mind-bogglingly awesome tote round-ups from Matters of Style and Refinery 29 – there’s a bag for everyone!
i think the solids (as opposed to the patterned totes) are best if you’re running on a budget like most of us are these days. What do you think of carrying around a whale patterned tote with a floral dress? Is this a fashion no-no style-saurus?