One for the bag lovers

From water bottles and notebooks to laptops, clothes and cosmetics, this bag has the strength and space to bear it all.

Tote bags are the talk of the town and are considered as one of the few essentials in a woman’s closet. With their versatile nature and utility factor, these bags are getting popular among people, especially college students and professionals.  A lot of people in the City have started experimenting with different designs and variations in terms of the materials they use to make tote bags more compact and durable.

Alka Maurya, an entrepreneur and owner of ‘Sew Fab Stories’, says, “I started making tote bags recently, before which I was more into making small pouches and sling bags for 15 years. Since students and professionals look for bags that can accommodate all their belongings, from cosmetics, snacks and water bottles to sometimes even a pair of clothes, they go for tote bags. Space and accessibility are the major factors for their popularity.” 

She also customises tote bags according to the personal requirements of a person. She adds, “I make totes with different segments in the bag. They can have a bottle holder as well as pockets for keys and other small items. I often customise them according to what people want. Light weight canvas, cotton and faux leather are the materials I use to make a tote bag. Though the demand for these bags is more with youngsters, I often see even new mothers and elderly people use them extensively — either as a diaper bag or to carry while shopping.”

Using materials like stiff canvas to shape her handmade totes, software professional and owner of startup ‘Zunati’, Kavitha Anil says, “I mainly use materials like fabric and stiff canvas to give shape to the tote bag and also use eyelets and rivets to give it a more professional look. Also, these hardwares make the bag more durable. I have been making bags from the last three years as a hobby. I spend most of my weekends making bags, giving them a different avatar each time. It has been one and a half years since I started making tote bags. It is all self-taught and is like a creative outlet.”

She adds, “The best part about a tote bag is that it suits any attire, be it Western or Indian, apart from which it is easy to carry and things in the bag can be effortlessly accessed. These bags come with a variety of customised designs and patterns.”

Tote bags today are used more as a fashion accessory and also they make a great gift for a bag lover. They are good to be used while shopping, travelling or even when one is on a beach holiday. It is also a sensible approach towards the environment. Shreya Lohia, an architect by profession, who makes a wide range of bags and wallets, says, “Utility is the main reason for their popularity. They look smart and can be found in many varieties. Tote bags are the fastest selling products out of the many things I make. Though there is no specific audience that I target when it comes to tote bags, I often see a mixed crowd demanding for totes.”

“These bags are affordable and convenient for students in terms of their budget. Since they are washable and environment friendly, many choose them over plastic bags for shopping so as to be able to do their bit for the environment,” she adds.