The tote bag is a hard worker—a multitasking handbag denoting the complexity of roles women play today. It is the “everything bag,” with great design versatility that suits almost any woman’s lifestyle.
It can carry the working woman’s laptop and documents. It’s for the traveler on a weekend getaway, or the modern woman who must keep her cards, cosmetics and mobile phone handy.
The tote is on the list of Top Ten Fashions that never go out of style.
The first signature tote bags were the Boat Bags designed and sold by LL Bean in 1944. The bag was in canvas and designed for the sailing crowd.
It quickly caught the attention of women from all over, and it was not long before handbag designers created stylish tote bags. One of the earliest was Bonnie, a popular designer of Coach. She was behind the iconic Cashin Carry tote bag that was a big trend in the ’60s. In the ’90s, Kate Spade started a line of totes that was truly chic and feminine.
There’s a good variety of totes at SM—brights, neutrals and prints in different materials—subtle calfskin, rich patents, embossed leather, heavy canvas, ballistic nylon and even jelly totes.
There are the Parisian Bags, Grab, Kimbel, Secosana and Belladonna collections at the Ladies Bags Department of all SM stores.
