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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:
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18
UsingChangeofName · 14/12/2023 23:35

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?'

I think it was pretty obvious what you meant Badger
I am also glad you asked.
A friend (with a 16 yr old) suggested a 'Tote Bag' when I asked her for ideas for a 16 yr old I need to buy for, and I was Confused , as my mind went to the white cotton bags given away for free at conferences or University open days.

Thanks to all the posters who have posted helpful links although it seems to leave a huge range of things still.

wideawakeinthemiddleofthenightagain · 14/12/2023 23:35

DD has been happy enough this term with the bag you get at Urban Outfitters when you buy something (so the equivalent of their carrier bag). I am expecting her to explode with joy on Xmas Day when she discovers she has an actual bag from UO. I may be sorely disappointed! I did keep the carrier bag equivalent as she'll be quite happy simply having a spare one of those

WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout · 15/12/2023 05:59

Loverofoldfilms · 14/12/2023 20:34

The young girls I see with tote bags all seem to own a LongChamps
https://www.longchamp.com/gb/en/products/tote-bag-m-L2605089001.html

The recycled ones are incredibly popular with my dcs friends - all in their 20’s.

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Clothing
Teapleasebobb · 15/12/2023 06:03

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

Yep, this. Dd has the corduroy tote from here, we bought it for her whilst she was in year 11 I think. She's now at uni and still uses it.

90yomakeuproom · 15/12/2023 06:17

Who remembers the plastic Jane Norman bags in the 00s 🤣

WonderingWanda · 15/12/2023 07:04

All the teenage girls at my school have those corduroy tote bags from urban outfitters.

howdoesyourgardengrowinmay · 15/12/2023 09:47

Can you take a look at what other girls at her school are carrying?

Tote bags are quite simple bags, usually open at the top, spacious interior (not too many pockets or dividers) with plenty of room for carrying school books and have handles long enough to be slung onto the shoulder, or carried in one hand without scraping on the ground. They come in fabric / canvas or leather / plastic / vegan materials. Sooooo many variables.

Get her to show you on amazon / ebay so you know what she wants. Style, colour, shape, capacity, price etc varies tremendously so it's better for her to show you examples of what she likes.

Original poster
badger2005 · 15/12/2023 13:28

Right - the bags have been dropped off! But there is a surprisingly small number of them. I should have thought that with it being a half-day and the last day, not many folders would be carried!
Anyway, the big news is that I see a single tote bag there, and it is a fabric one - the sort of light thin canvas bag that you might get given for free.

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 15/12/2023 16:26

Perhaps not the conclusive evidence you'd hoped for but I think that probably means the Urban Outfitters one is perfectly acceptable.

diyprojectnumber538 · 20/12/2023 22:17

Have you purchased, op?

Forgottenmypasswordagain · 21/12/2023 02:32

I hope you get the purple cord one you posted! 💜

weirdoboelady · 21/12/2023 11:52

Also, this is a comedy post. I used to do a LOT of mystery shopping at Heathrow, and out of this developed the game 'how much is this bag?' This one is Hermes, and is actually a backpack. It has thin backpack straps the other side, but otherwise is of tote construction. Anyone want to play the game?

What's a tote bag?
VaccineSticker · 21/12/2023 13:53

i would ask her what exactly the tote bag that she wants. The local college/high school girls have been carrying Longchamps Tote bags. They are pretty pricey…

You need to ask her what is it that she’s after. Tote bags are biggish shoulder bags with big handles.

KingsleyBorder · 21/12/2023 13:55

weirdoboelady · 21/12/2023 11:52

Also, this is a comedy post. I used to do a LOT of mystery shopping at Heathrow, and out of this developed the game 'how much is this bag?' This one is Hermes, and is actually a backpack. It has thin backpack straps the other side, but otherwise is of tote construction. Anyone want to play the game?

£450?

And how does being a mystery shopper at Heathrow work, you don’t get to keep the purchases I guess?

weirdoboelady · 21/12/2023 14:46

KingsleyBorder · 21/12/2023 13:55

£450?

And how does being a mystery shopper at Heathrow work, you don’t get to keep the purchases I guess?

Show quote history

Remind me to answer the question on Boxing Day, to give others a chance to play.

Not many purchases, sadly, mostly just asking about overpriced tat stuff. Lots of food though (I had to buy up to 5 meals a day). Sadly that company seems not to do it since Covid - it was fun! (And made me an expert on tote bags, although not bags suitable for school).

Original poster
badger2005 · 21/12/2023 16:25

Forgottenmypasswordagain · 21/12/2023 02:32

I hope you get the purple cord one you posted! 💜

I ordered this one:
https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/shop/bdg-tab-corduroy-tote-bag?inventoryCountry=GB&currency=GBP&color=042&size=ONE%20SIZE&type=REGULAR&utm_campaign=PMAX&utm_term=UK_PMAX_PRIORITY&utm_content=Cj0KCQiA4Y-sBhC6ARIsAGXF1g5sJj_l_UzTcDZXMDDVVLsQh70TFxKcWN1H5G1jtzG1N9nZzZtzC_YaAveIEALw_wcB&gad_source=1&_cclid=Google_Cj0KCQiA4Y-sBhC6ARIsAGXF1g5sJj_l_UzTcDZXMDDVVLsQh70TFxKcWN1H5G1jtzG1N9nZzZtzC_YaAveIEALw_wcB&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4Y-sBhC6ARIsAGXF1g5sJj_l_UzTcDZXMDDVVLsQh70TFxKcWN1H5G1jtzG1N9nZzZtzC_YaAveIEALw_wcB&quantity=1
Do you see it as purple? I think I do too, and that just makes it nicer! The description is as dark blue. I really think (hope!) that dd will like it!

While on the UO site (which I'd never visited before, but really looks like the place for dd!) I also saw this top and ordered that as well... I think she will look brilliant in it... I really hope she likes it!

https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/shop/damson-madder-uo-exclusive-something-magic-long-sleeved-t-shirt?category=SEARCHRESULTS&color=005&searchparams=q%3Dmagic%2520top&type=REGULAR&quantity=1

OP posts:
Original poster
badger2005 · 21/12/2023 16:25

weirdoboelady · 21/12/2023 11:46

Thank you - that's a good thought, but I've already bought the UO one!

OP posts:
Original poster
badger2005 · 21/12/2023 16:27

weirdoboelady · 21/12/2023 11:52

Also, this is a comedy post. I used to do a LOT of mystery shopping at Heathrow, and out of this developed the game 'how much is this bag?' This one is Hermes, and is actually a backpack. It has thin backpack straps the other side, but otherwise is of tote construction. Anyone want to play the game?

Well, I can really not see how that could be £450!! I prefer other tote bags that I've been linked to that are more like £25, so I know that I wouldn't pay £25 for it. But maybe someone would really like the brand, and it is a nice colour... £60?

OP posts:
WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout · 21/12/2023 18:10

A few thousand I’d guess if it’s Hermes?

weirdoboelady · 21/12/2023 18:26

OK, I am impatient (with myself I mean) and worried I'll forget. Also I went on to the Hermes website because the last time I looked there was something similar to link to. And of course there isn't any more. But the answer is/was £3250.

While on the website I thought I might extend the game. They have charms for your bag. Like the one below. Anyone want to take a guess? How much do people pay for charms for their bags?

It's a current item, so you can cheat, or check that I'm not making it up....

What's a tote bag?
KingsleyBorder · 22/12/2023 07:28

But maybe someone would really like the brand, and it is a nice colour... £60?

Hermès is the ultimate bullshit brand. People really do pay for the name. It’s bought by people whose wealth makes 3 grand feel like £30 to them. I’ve never understood how enough of those people exist to make shops worth running in airports! So you were right to a certain extent OP, you just didn’t realise quite how MUCH some people like the brand.

Sewsew0 · 28/12/2023 07:37

How did the bag go down OP?

Original poster
badger2005 · 28/12/2023 17:37

Well I have positive news!
(1) I selected the purpleish cord bag from Urban Outfitters
(2) I forgot to press 'confirm' on the order so it did not come in time for Christmas.
(3) It came today, and dd opened it
(4) She loved it! She has already put two lever-arch folders in it and practiced carrying it around. I really think it is the perfect choice!
(5) She has now also read this thread and laughed a lot!
So thank you so much kind mumsnetters!

OP posts:
Sewsew0 · 28/12/2023 20:52

Fab update, so glad she likes it!

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