An illustration of a black tote bag
✦ Generated illustration · an invented bag

Totes and shoppers

The bag that carries a working day. Open top, two handles, and room for the things a smaller bag makes you leave behind.

Colour

Pattern
Shape

Similar styles you can buy

Real bags from real shops. Similar to the illustration, not the exact bag pictured.

  • Everyday Slouchy nylon tote, espresso Example Basics Packs down to nothing. No structure at all. $54 Shop similar
  • Everyday Canvas work tote, black Example Basics Holds a 14-inch laptop flat. The base sags once it is full. $68 Shop similar
  • Sweet spot Pebbled leather tote, espresso Example Atelier Pebbled grain hides scuffs. Inside pocket is shallow. $210 Shop similar
  • Sweet spot Structured leather tote, black Example Atelier Stands up on its own. Heavier empty than it looks. $245 Shop similar
  • Splurge Suede tote, espresso Example Maison Suede marks in rain. Keep it for dry days. $465 Shop similar
  • Splurge Full-grain leather tote, black Example Maison Unlined, so it marks. Softens into its own shape. $520 Shop similar

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How the tote got here

  1. 1800s and beforeMarket basketThe shape starts as an open carrier for produce, with two handles and no closure. Nothing about it was designed to be fashionable.
  2. 1944The ice bagA canvas boat tote was sold as a bag for hauling blocks of ice. The handles were long so you could carry it up from a dock.
  3. 2000sOffice standardOnce laptops needed carrying, a flat-bottomed tote became the default work bag, and leather versions took over from canvas.

Spilled: what's inside my bag

Styling boards we have made with this shape. The objects in them are invented.

Comments coming soon

Say it is your favourite shape, what colour you would get, what you would keep in it. Public, once we can keep them somewhere.