Tote bags are stylish and functional. They can be used to carry anything from groceries, to clothes and accessories, to laptops and textbooks, depending on their size and the type of bag you choose. If you’re looking for a fashionable tote bag that you can carry with your outfits or on its own, here are some tips on how to choose the right one that will match your style and your needs!

The Types of Tote Bags
If you’re looking for a sturdy, stylish tote bag that can get through any situation with ease, there are three different options available. There are reusable grocery totes (such as GreenBags), which are made of plastic or nylon and come in several styles. Also popular are canvas totes, which have handles on either side of their opening, making them easy to carry.

What Makes a Great Bag?
Though fashion bloggers can’t talk enough about totes, you might wonder if any of them truly know what makes a great bag. It doesn’t help that there are so many variations on tote bags, from more contemporary handles to more traditional shoulder straps—not to mention all of their different compartments, uses, and styles. In order to break down these bag basics, we need to ask some important questions: What is a good size for a bag? Is one handle better than two?

Why Choose Polyester?
If you're going to be carrying around books, laptops, gym bags, or anything else that could break your nice handbag or rumple your suit jacket, why not protect it with a fashionable tote bag? Polyester is a popular choice for bags of all kinds due to its natural water-repellent properties. Additionally, there are lots of design possibilities for tote bags such as stripes, patterns and fabric styles.

How Many Compartments Should A Bag Have?
This is a tricky question as there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. It all depends on how you use your bag. If you are someone who carries around a lot of stuff, from diapers to books, then you probably will want more than one compartment in your bag. In that case, go for at least two compartments, preferably three or four.

Additional Features
Style is always a must when it comes to fashion, but with tote bagsthere are even more possibilities. You have your pick of style, color, materials, and even size for many options. If you’re looking for a bag that works great as an everyday purse but can still take you out on a date or shopping trip without feeling like it’s too big or not enough then a tote bag is right up your alley.

The History of the Tote Bag
The modern tote bag was invented in New York City in 1916, when L. L. Bean put handles on a shipping sack for his wife Freida. Freida insisted that he find a use for all of their sacks, so one night at dinner, her husband sat down and sewed two handles onto one of them for her to carry groceries home from town. Thus, women’s handbags were born.