Tote bags are everywhere these days. The term tote (which means “to carry”) can be traced back to the 17th century, but it was not used to describe bags until about 1900. A tote is basically a large handbag or purse that is used to carry a variety of items; items that can range from books, clothes, shoes and beach wear to regular everyday items. Normally made out of treated canvas, nylon, or leather, some even come with a zipper compartment to divide the bag into various sections, and often used as a giveaway - in fact, promotional tote bags are bcoming extrremely popular.

While the cheap totes end of the tote genre can comprise the reusable canvas bags offered by supermarkets, the high end of the genre is often the designer totes developed by the various fashion houses and accessory designers. Designer totes can enhance any outfit and bring that splash of designer chic you are looking for. How about a tote made from vintage leather, black patent leather, or fantastic psychedelic fabric prints? Tote bags are available for almost for any occasion, and can come in at under $100.

So, what are the steps you need to consider when choosing a tote bag?

1. What do you want it for? This should be the primary consideration. If you are going to use it to carry school books or work documents, you need to ensure that it is robust enough to meet the challenge. If you plan to use the tote as a fashion accessory for that perfect outfit you own, then the durability of the tote is not as important.
2. The size of the tote. The larger the tote the more “stuff” it will be able to hold, that goes without saying. Unfortunately large totes mean the more added weight you will need to carry around…and this can become a nuisance over time. Assemble all the things that you are going to need to carry on a daily basis and let this be your guide. It’s always better to choose a larger tote if you are not sure of the exact size you will need.
3. The number of compartments. While you could always just throw “all your stuff” into one bag, it is so much more convenient to have a spot for everything. In this way you will know if something is missing, and where to go when you need to find it. Smaller items can tend to get lost in the bottom of a large bag, and smaller compartments solve this problem for you. If possible make sure that these compartments have zippers or buttons to secure those items in their place.

We hope that you have found this article useful, and that you are well on your way to finding that perfect tote that is “just so you”. All the best, and have fun!

- Wallace Kirby