History of the Tote Bag: From 1940s to Modern Fashion
The story of tote bags begins in 1944 with the introduction of an ice carrier by L.L. Bean. With the latest estimates showing that the company accumulated $1.7 billion in annual net revenue for the 2024 fiscal year, this serves as a strong reminder of how an ordinary item can serve as the foundation for a product that transforms the world.
The tote bag’s transformation over the years signifies something far more remarkable than its sheer size. Originally created for practical use, the tote bag’s market is projected to reach $6.94 billion by 2025, blending convenience with stylish environmentally conscious design.
What Is a Tote Bag?
To put it simply, a tote bag is a large, open-topped bag with straps, designed to carry just about anything. From books to groceries, gym gear to laptops, it is a bag that ‘adapts’ to our everyday life and doesn’t call for too much attention. But the tote has become more than just a practical object. But, as time went by, the tote bag has evolved into more than just a practical object; it shows how we move through the world. It’s a rare case where utility and beauty meet so effortlessly that it helps us and we do not notice the design we are too used to.
That is precisely what makes the story so interesting.
Early Origins (1600s–1800s)
The story of the tote bag actually begins with the word tote, which in the 1600s meant to carry things. The idea of carrying things with ease has always remained the purpose of the bag throughout the eras.
Before the Tote Bag as We Know It
Long before the tote bags we are familiar with today, leather and cotton sacks served as bags for people to carry different goods. These early bags served a purpose, although they were not uniform in design: carrying goods conveniently.
Paris, 1860s: A Travel-Inspired Highlight
An often overlooked highlight in the history of the tote bag comes from 1860s Paris. Business travel was on the rise, and craftsmen were actively creating leather carry bags for traveling professionals. These bags served a purpose while also being beautiful, and were one of the first signals that function and fashion could go hand in hand.
The L.L. Bean Innovation (1940s)
Maine's Ice Transportation Challenge
The outdoor company L.L. Bean, based in Maine, discovered a rural challenge in 1944: the carrying of ice from the vehicle to a home freezer. The company’s solution to this problem would unknowingly kickstart the tote bag industry.
From Ice Carrier to Cultural Icon
The homemakers of the time quickly discovered that the L.L. Bean tote bags could also be used far beyond the transportation of ice. It was adopted alongside many different activities, from grocery shopping, household chores to carrying around daily essentials. The tote bag industry was founded on this organic, unplanned versatility.
Historical Timeline (1940s–2025)
While carrying bags have been around for centuries, the evolution of the tote bag began in 1944. Below is the timeline depicting the design evolution, cultural milestones, and the impact of this essential item on innovation, identity, and global retail.
1944: The Modern Tote Revolution
This is the year of the turning point. L.L. Bean introduced its famous ice carrier bag made with heavy canvas capable of withstanding 500 pounds. The ice carrier bag was made for the rugged outdoors of rural Maine. This model introduced the principles of durability and function and served to define the tote bag as a modern object.
1950s: Everyday Use, Everyday Style
Starting in the 1950s, tote bags started to emerge from the docks and were integrated into daily activities. For women in America, these bags were practical and stylish alternatives to the more structured handbags, thus allowing for the tote's initial transformation from utility to fashion.
1960s: Design Meets Fashion
Innovation picked up pace.
- L.L. Bean added colorful trims to its Boat and Tote series.
- Designer Bonnie Cashin introduced the “Cashin Carry” line that integrated high-end and functional design.
- Canvas had officially gained attention in the fashion world.
- Customization emerged as a trend in retail.
1970s–1980s: Corporate Branding Takes Over
Tote bags gained serious momentum in business. Companies saw their marketing potential because of its easy to print, distribute, and impossible to ignore. One standout moment came in 1980, when New York’s Strand Bookstore began selling bold cotton totes with its address and slogan: “18 miles of books.” That single design helped pioneer the branded tote as a cultural object.
1990s: Pop Culture & Celebrity Status
By the '90s, the tote had entered the world of celebrity.
- Celebrities and trendsetters were often seen carrying them
- Fashion spreads began featuring tote bags as lifestyle accessories
- The line between fashion statement and everyday bag blurred completely
2000s: The Sustainability Shift
Tote bags took on a new meaning as reusable bags as a result of rising plastic waste awareness. Both the public and retailers began viewing them as more than just accessories and as replacements for plastic bags.
2010s: Social Media Turns Up the Volume
The rise of digital platforms transformed how tote bags were shared, sold, and styled.
- The New Yorker gave free totes to subscribers in 2014 and created a cult following
- Instagram and Pinterest made them visual identity markers
- Influencer collaborations and e-commerce tools accelerated global reach
2020s: The Combination of Smart Features and Sustainability
Never before has the evolution of tote bags been as significant as it is today. The use of durable textiles and sustainable fibers like organic cotton, paired with meticulous stitching, has reached unprecedented levels.
2025: The Smart Tote Era
The tote bag is more than just a fashion accessory today; it embodies your persona. During the 2025 period, it seems totes have taken the fashion world by storm. The simplicity, versatility, and utility stands out. It is fascinating to see how people have adopted the tote as a form of personalization. People are using it to express their fashion sense, values, and even their daily schedules. Additionally, the tote makes a quiet but powerful statement as it is becoming more focused on minimalism and sustainability.
What People Use Tote Bags For
Tote bags have quietly become part of how we live, work, and move through the world. Here's how people are using them today:
For everyday life
Tote bags are the ones we reach for when heading to the office, the café, or the corner store. They hold just enough and never feel like too much.
For school and study
Students love them. They're light, easy to carry, and say more about someone’s style than a regular backpack ever could.
For more mindful shopping
Many people now carry cotton totes instead of plastic bags. They are reusable, and washable alternatives to plastic bags. Carrying a tote bag is a small but powerful mindful choice.
For travel
They fold flat in a suitcase, then open up to hold the things you didn’t expect to need or want to bring back.
For events and gifting
Whether it’s a conference, a wedding, or a welcome kit, a good tote doesn’t get thrown away. It gets used again and again.
For telling your story
Sometimes it’s branding and sometimes it’s a quote or a print. Either way, a tote often says what you stand for without saying a word.
For everyday beauty
At the end of the day, we use tote bags because they feel good to hold. They do the job, and they look good doing it.
Custom Tote Bags by Gallant International
If there’s one thing we’ve learned about the tote bag, it's that form, function, and values can coexist beautifully. We offer 100% customizable totes from certified organic cotton to serve both promotional and retail needs. Whether it’s for gifting, events, eco-conscious packaging, or resale, these bags aren’t just functional but responsibly made and built to last.
With Gallant, you can customize almost every element:
- The tote bag’s size and shape can be tailored to fit your needs.
- Fabric can range from 5 oz canvas to as thick as 14 oz (or any other weight that works for you).
- Custom branding with color, print, or embroidery.
- Additional utility with standard or custom trims such as pockets, zippers, buttons, and lining.
- Custom: water bottle holders, laptop sleeves, or even suitcase straps.
And while the design possibilities are endless, the commitment remains the same: ethical, sustainable craftsmanship on a wholesale scale. Whether you're ordering in bulk or planning a retail line, we make it easy to create something custom, beautiful, and built with purpose.
Let’s make something good together!
Conclusion
Tote bags have evolved from being an item with mere functionality to contemporary essentials. They tell a story about us, that we are useful, considerate, and constantly on the go. And with all that life demands us to carry (our belongings, our values, our voices) with the right tote, it becomes effortless.
If you’re looking to design custom tote bags that speak for your brand and stand the test of time, we’d be glad to help. Let’s create something worth carrying.
