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Original poster

What's a tote bag?

152 replies

badger2005 · 13/12/2023 23:31

Dd (15) says that all her friends carry their folders to school in tote bags - so they have a rucksack but also a tote bag. I'd like to get her a tote bag for Christmas but don't really know what she means. Is it the sort of resuable fabric bags you get (sometimes for free with things)? Or something else? Can anyone link to one their dd has (if this is a general thing!).
I'm an adult without a handbag, and always deeply uncool, so really do need advice!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
18
PamelaParis · 13/12/2023 23:34

Yes, fabric bags like those freebie ones, with long handles so you can sling them over your shoulder.

TheOccupier · 13/12/2023 23:47

It's a shoulder bag. Can be made of fabric or leather.

https://www.asos.com/search/?q=tote+bag

WhateverMate · 13/12/2023 23:52

Yes, it's a reusable cloth bag.

Type 'What is a tote bag?' into Google.

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Original poster
badger2005 · 14/12/2023 00:09

thank you all!
Just to clarify Whatevermate, I have typed 'what is a tote bag?' into google! Lots of very different looking bags come up. Am I looking for a leather-y handbag style affair, or a hessian thing, or a cloth bag?
What I am asking isn't really 'what is a tote bag?' (sorry in retrospect for the misleading title!) but 'what does dd mean when she says she wants a tote bag?'. So for those with teen dds, what do you think? I see that two of you are saying reusable cloth bag - so like the sort you can't really buy but sometimes get given for free?
I'm sorry TheOccupier but your link is not working for me. Please could you try again?

OP posts:
LemonJuiceFromConcentrate · 14/12/2023 00:31

I mean, probably you know your DD’s taste better than we will. Can you ask her for some links?

Fwiw my teen dd has two tote bags — an old nylon Longchamp one (formerly mine, ££ for a teen but I never used it so I passed it down), and one canvas khaki one from Amazon that was about 15 quid.

These days I genuinely prefer my super basic cotton totes bearing names of interesting libraries or whatever random place I picked them up — they are so light I can fold them into my jacket pocket. But I bet a teenager is thinking more fashionably about something with a bit more shape in sturdier material.

coldcallerbaiter · 14/12/2023 00:34

Tote is an open bag made if any material with 2 longish handles

felttippenguin · 14/12/2023 00:35

Etsy is good for all manner of cotton totes. Lots of funky options in themes your daughter likes I'm sure.

I have a sunflower one (favourite flower), one of an artist I like, some Lucy & yak ones, urban outfitters also does a nice one with a pocket on the front.

LemonJuiceFromConcentrate · 14/12/2023 00:42

KALIDI Thicken Corduroy Totes Bag Extra Large Capacity Handbags Shoulder Bags with Zipper Cord Tote Bag for Women Ladies Girls Casual Shopping Bag for Work School College Daily Use https://amzn.eu/d/fp6f65d

Lots of this sort of thing on Amazon — I reckon they’re quite teen-friendly

YesTonightJosephine · 14/12/2023 00:43

Have a look at URBAN OUTFITTERS as they have a great selection.

https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/search?q=tote%20bag

My teenage nieces always shop there!

x

tote bag

tote bag

https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/search?q=tote+bag

MoreRainbowsPlease · 14/12/2023 01:31

My 19 yo niece and my son's female friends who are a similar age all seem to carry round bags like the cotton reusable ones that you sometimes get free instead of handbags. Very often they have characters that they love on the front (my son's friends have several with studio ghibli characters on). My neice's ones seem to be ones she's bought from places she's visited i.e. museums and things.

KingsleyBorder · 14/12/2023 01:37

Can’t you just look at what the girls are carrying when they are walking home from school?

mathanxiety · 14/12/2023 02:36

badger2005 · 14/12/2023 00:09

thank you all!
Just to clarify Whatevermate, I have typed 'what is a tote bag?' into google! Lots of very different looking bags come up. Am I looking for a leather-y handbag style affair, or a hessian thing, or a cloth bag?
What I am asking isn't really 'what is a tote bag?' (sorry in retrospect for the misleading title!) but 'what does dd mean when she says she wants a tote bag?'. So for those with teen dds, what do you think? I see that two of you are saying reusable cloth bag - so like the sort you can't really buy but sometimes get given for free?
I'm sorry TheOccupier but your link is not working for me. Please could you try again?

You can buy them.

I have a few that are made of heavy canvas, with long handles that go over my shoulder. Some are plain, some have a graphic print.

night-school.bandcamp.com/merch/strong-large-canvas-tote-bag-silk-screened

mathanxiety · 14/12/2023 02:38

YYY to the Urban Outfitters ones

CurlsnSunshinetime4tea · 14/12/2023 02:44

Landsend allows you to customize colors, strap length, add initials as well as size options. Might not be what a teen wants though.

Forgottenmypasswordagain · 14/12/2023 05:21

I think a large bag without compartments or very few, in any material a tote bag. I have a leather one and several canvas ones, and a nylon one that folds up so you can stash away in your knapsack or handbag.

WandaWonder · 14/12/2023 05:49

badger2005 · 14/12/2023 00:09

thank you all!
Just to clarify Whatevermate, I have typed 'what is a tote bag?' into google! Lots of very different looking bags come up. Am I looking for a leather-y handbag style affair, or a hessian thing, or a cloth bag?
What I am asking isn't really 'what is a tote bag?' (sorry in retrospect for the misleading title!) but 'what does dd mean when she says she wants a tote bag?'. So for those with teen dds, what do you think? I see that two of you are saying reusable cloth bag - so like the sort you can't really buy but sometimes get given for free?
I'm sorry TheOccupier but your link is not working for me. Please could you try again?

I got what you meant but maybe get her to show you say 5 she wants and pick from that

I would not just pick any

littleblackcat27 · 14/12/2023 05:58

KingsleyBorder · 14/12/2023 01:37

Can’t you just look at what the girls are carrying when they are walking home from school?

Yeah - she probably could - but she's started a thread and had lots of great suggestions and links.

My 18 year old DD has various canvas/thin cloth bags that she uses. Favourite ones are a rainbow coloured one and one that was given out at Alton Towers Screamfest!

Mirrormeback · 14/12/2023 06:27

DD uses material tote bags.

I have loads I have collected over the years

I know she bought a plain blue one in Primark for under £5

Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 14/12/2023 06:34

My 16yo has a cord urban one. Little bit sturdier than the plain cotton ones. If you go cotton Waterstones had a few nice book themed ones. Beware on etsy / eBay as many are just overpriced resold ones you can get on ali express for £3!

floofbag · 14/12/2023 06:35

I think she means the black tote bags they all have ..

WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout · 14/12/2023 06:38

michael lots, coach, ysl, Balmain for going up in designer prices here
I have a couple of coach ones
niece has balmain
sister has ysl

floofbag · 14/12/2023 06:38

Like this .. you can get them anywhere . It's what the teen girls use for school. Please don't get her a material bag for life 🙈

What's a tote bag?
justanothermanicmonday1 · 14/12/2023 06:39

Unless she means this 🤣🤣🤣

My DP got me one for my birthday this year and I love it. I'll use it for going back to work to carry my laptop etc in and for travelling. I also got a tote bag organiser that sits inside.

However I doubt you want to be paying these prices for a 15 year old. You can get duplicates on Amazon for less than £30!

What's a tote bag?
Mirrormeback · 14/12/2023 06:40

I've seen a couple of girls with a river island tote bag which I thought looked nice.

Not canvas though

What's a tote bag?
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