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The American Classic Tote Bag

Tote bags work for every woman.  From the busy mom who needs everything from diapers to soccer stuff to the professional who needs a full portfolio, tote bags are true multitaskers who can handle it all.  The tote bag trend was started in 1944.  The Boat Bag from LL Bean was a simple canvas bag.  It quickly became a trend, merging into a piece of luggage as leather totes stole the stage.  With the rise of practicality in the 1950s, tote bags became the purse of choice for many women.  In the 1960s, the tote bag was upgraded to designer status as Bonnie Cashin (a popular Coach designer) created feminine accessories out of the basic practical bag.  Her Cashin Carry bag brought the tote into the modern world of designer handbags.  Kate Spade took the tote even further in the 1990s, creating a simple, yet elegant purse.

A large part of the charm of tote bags is their basic, simple pattern.  Debbie Vasen puts it this way, “Imagine your local paper grocery bag transformed into a fabric bound accessory, and that is the fundamental design of a tote bag.”  Whether with interior pockets or without, a zipper closure, magnet, or tie at the top, a tote bag is the best fundamental bag a girl could own.  Tote bags are usually made of casual fabrics such as leather, basket weave, denim, plastic, or canvas.  The large, flat exterior of the tote model is perfect for manufacturers to highlight intricate patterns or screen prints.  Another advantage of the tote bag is the ability to slip a smaller purse or clutch inside to remove for a quick jaunt out.  This is especially nice if you are not used to carrying a larger bag.  Tote bags offer the unique option of trying out the larger and heavier bag size without the commitment of taking it everywhere.

The versatility of the tote bag is amazing.  Not only for use a purse, tote bags make perfect book bags, gym carryalls, weekend getaway bags, reusable grocery bags, diaper bags, beach bags, sport bags, etc.  For the crafty person, tote bags are an easy pattern to create for any need.  Tote bags are an easy match for every season.  From basket weave summer bags, to the more sophisticated leather for fall, to a bright canvas print for spring, tote bags are truly the best basic purse.

Hiding any disorganized mess, tote bags are really more than just a great multitasking handbag.  According to Ms. Vasen they are “a symbol of the complexity of roles women play… a true American Classic”.

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For more information about tote and other handbags, please visit www.isidoradesigns.com

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