28th March 2022
3 min Read
Why is it that the humble cotton tote bag is such a universally useful household item? Well it's simple you need one to carry stuff and if it's a personalised version all the better. The great thing about these everyday bags is that they tick so many boxes, and here's how.
Let's look at the history of the tote first of all, to understand its importance through the generations. The word 'tote' is originally North American meaning 'to carry' or 'transport' first recorded in Virginia back in 1677. The term 'tote bag' is first noted in 1900.
The reason why tote bags have gained traction in recent times is due to them being sold as a more eco-friendly replacement for disposable plastic bags. Normally totes are made of sturdy material like cotton and can carry a whole weight without collapsing.
So the tote as a shopping bag is a natural option. It can be reused and therefore recycled over & over. So an important factor is to carry it with one at all times so available when picking up either large shops from the supermarket or smaller trips to the market. That's if you're lucky enough to have one nearby.
Personalising a cotton tote bag makes an easy gift. Be it for the shopper in the family or to say a simple message that's funny or show appreciation to a family member or work colleague. "You're the top Captain" can refer to more or less any team event, a teacher, or infact more literally refer to a helmsman of a vessel on the water. Add a photo and suddenly the specifics become clear.
Let's not forget a custom tote bag is a budget present for hen or stag get togethers which will last. Multiple bespoke totes could accompany the whole party abroad and carry some of the luggage -simply assign the design work to one of the group and you will find the budget still intact.
The extraordinary thing about a tote bag is that there are huge differences between the basic cotton models and those which achieve huge fashion status & a designer price tag to match.
The Birken bag is the obvious example. It's a line of tote bag, introduced in 1984 by the French luxury goods maker Hermes. They are handmade of leather and named after the English singer & actress Jane Birkin. Costing a small fortune, their resale value is often equally high if not more expensive than the original. The type of leather and unpredictable release dates all contribute to their artificial scarcity & exclusivity.
Exclusivity is something that is recreatable, albeit on a lower level, by designing your very own tote bag be it for yourself or as a gift. It could be budget, have contrast or short handles in all sorts of colours but the main feature of the tote is that it will serve whoever owns it well. The throwaway modern society we live in is now becoming that little bit more aware of the fragile eco system needing to be preserved. It doesn't take an eco warrior to realise the more we reuse & recycle anything in our daily lives the more we will preserve the planet.
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> Find out moreWhy world renowned certification known as Oeko-Tex is a priority for TShirt Studio as part of the company’s drive for eco excellence.
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