2012年12月7日星期五

Exploring The Etymology Of The Tote Bag



The etymology of the word "tote" can be traced back to the 17th century, and meant "to carry", which is fitting, given the current status of the mainstream tote bag. Today, large tote bags have created a compelling niche for themselves within top fashion designers and women everywhere. Classically, the original tote was made from cloth, usually a checkered or patch pattern, with arched straps joining to make both handles. With the explosion of smart phones and PDA accessories, more and more totes are being designed with additional interior and exterior pockets in mind.

Today, the tote bag is manufactured in a wide array of mediums, including anything from leather to eco-friendly, recycled materials. Large tote bags have been popping up on everyone from Madonna to Michelle Obama, giving them unrivaled status within both fashion and everyday communities. The original design for a tote included large, thick handles that were attached at either the top or the bottom of the bag; today, the tote is exploring both traditional and non-traditional mediums of style.

The tote bag has become the heroine of fashion in the last 50 years, and for good cause. Able to hold everything from beach towels to a Blackberry, large tote bags are more a necessity than a need for women on the go. The following is a list of items that can be carried by a tote: beach towels, books, umbrellas, snacks, recreational outdoors items, makeup, and much, much more. More now than ever, the tote is replacing the miniscule woman's purse that holds only the basics.

Interestingly, the tote bag in recent years has been used as a tool to promote awareness for certain issues, such as cancer, child abuse, animal rights, and social justice. Because of the large tote bags ability to spread awareness, more and more professional companies are taking advantage of this opportunity and choosing to increase awareness about a particular product via the tote.

The term tote originates from the 17th century; 1677 to be exact! Meaning "to carry" it's easy to see how the original context rings true today. For many years, it was believed that the word tote originated from Kikongo tota, which means to pick up; however, most scholars today agree that this is inaccurate. Wherever the origins occurred, one thing remains: The tote is an essential piece of any wardrobe!

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