Tote bags are popular across all gender and age groups, as they come in a wide variety of designs and materials. They are usually made of sturdy cloth such as leather or canvas, but eco-friendly natural fibers is another popular material used for tote bags. Their main appeal is convenience and practicality as they are spacious and easy to take care of. The term “tote” means “to carry”, and it is traced all the way back to the 17th century. However, it wasn’t until 1900 that the term was used to describe bags. Tote bags became a big hit in the United States when L.L. Bean released its Boat Bag in 1940. Designed off of its ice carrier, Boat Bags became a hit as they were easy to carry around with its sturdy canvas material and two handles that emerge from both sides. As tote bags became mainstream in 1950s, they were a staple item among housewives who used them for household chores. They came to be known as fashion bags as they are today when in 1960s, Bonnie Cashin released her own line of tote bags named Cashin Carry Tote. Since then, tote bags came to stand for both functionality and style. Their wide range of variety allow one to carry them in any occasion, and their popularity is expected to continue into the future.
