History of Merch: Tote Bags

Introduction of Tote Bags

What's one of the first things you grab when heading out? Your bag! You fill it with keys, snacks, books... all your essential items. Your bag is vital for any successful journey. 

Back in the day, people crafted simple pouches and satchels from materials like leather, cloth, and other fibers. These eventually evolved into the versatile and fashionable tote bags we all love today. Totes have grown in popularity, becoming a sustainable and reusable alternative to plastic bags, and a popular promotional item for businesses to customize with logos and messages. You can spot some iconic ones, like the classic L.L. Bean Boat and Tote Bag, or the trendy New Yorker tote, that continue to win the hearts and hands of many.

The Origins of Tote Bags

Tote bags have been around for ages with several origin stories. One takes us back to Paris in the 1860s when travel became a big deal and people needed strong bags to hold their valuables or beddings while on the move. These bags were usually made of leather, but soon totes made of other materials and sizes started popping up. 

Let’s take a look at how tote bags have evolved over the past 80 years

The 1940s - The Original "Cooler”

Did you know that the modern-day tote obsession was sparked by L.L. Bean's creation of the ice bag in the 40s? This popular Maine-based outdoor store introduced a sturdy canvas ice carrier that allowed people to transport ice from their cars to their homes. The ice bag quickly became a must-have item for households and helped to popularize the versatile tote bag.

The 1960s - Personalized Totes

Back in the 1960s, L.L. Bean came up with the idea of revamping canvas ice bags and turning them into stylish accessories called Boat and Tote bags. They added colorful trims that are still used today. But here's the exciting part - you can have your own tote bag with custom embroidery. That means you can make it even more personalized and unique to you. Who knew a simple bag could be such a fashion statement?

The 1980s - Promo Tote Boom

During the 1980s, tote bags became increasingly popular as a promotional product. Businesses recognized the benefits of using tote bags to advertise their brands, as they were cheap and easy to manufacture. Companies began printing their logos on tote bags and selling them as marketable goods. This helped to establish tote bags as a powerful tool in the world of marketing.

The 1990s - IKEA's Tote Takeover

In the 90s, IKEA's famous Frakta bag became a hit on the streets. This popular bag, with its signature blue and yellow design, could hold up to 30 pounds and revolutionized the concept of reusable shopping bags. Other stores soon followed suit and began creating their own versions of reusable bags.

21st Century  - Modern-Day Totes

Tote bags are all the rage now, and they're perfect for showing off your style and personality. The New Yorker hopped on the bandwagon in 2013 with a cool tote design that became a hit. But it wasn't until they started giving away free totes with yearly subscriptions in 2014 that the bags exploded in popularity. Nowadays, you can see all kinds of tote bags on the streets, from plain canvas ones to funky patterned ones, each one reflecting its owner's individual flair.

Tote bags are not only a great marketing tool, but they can also help build a sense of community among customers who share similar values. Companies can create special edition tote bags to support a cause or promote a message, which can resonate with customers and create a connection with the brand. So not only do tote bags promote the brand and make customers happy, they can also help foster a sense of belonging and shared purpose.

skummunity 

The tote bag we made for our HQ visit is a prime example of how much we at commonsku value a good tote. It was made exclusively for employees and featured a cool design that reflected our company culture.

We owe a huge shoutout to Numo, one of our go-to distributors and commonsku users, for helping us make these awesome tote bags a reality. 

commonsku Employees and Their Iconic Totes

At commonsku, we're big fans of good merch, and tote bags are no exception. We believe that the best kind of marketing is the kind that people actually use and enjoy. Tote bags are perfect for that because they're not only practical but also fashionable.

“I have a confession: I have a bit of an obsession with tote bags…this is just a small selection of some of my favorites which I use regularly. From the top: my Ace Hotel totes from the skucamps we hosted in NOLA and Pittsburg, totes from my favorite Toronto restaurants/wine bars (Paradise Grapevine, Bar Isabel, Bar Piquette, and Dreyfus), my souvenir tote from the infamous Matty Fest, and my Sub Pop records tote (my personal favorite).”

— Kate Masewich - VP of Marketing

“One of my favorite bookstores is The Strand in New York City. As a family, we have a few tote bags from The Strand, but this is the one I like the most. Every trip we take to New York (which is about 2-3 per year for the last 20 years, apart from COVID), includes a trip to The Strand.”

— Karim Kuperhause - VP of Sales

“I love my New Yorker tote, it’s one of the most successful branded merch campaigns of all time.”

— Bobby Lehew - Chief Content Officer

“I have a tote bag from Jimmy’s Coffee with a map of downtown Toronto that’s really cute.”

The Tote Bag Evolution

Tote bags have come a long way from their humble beginnings as ice bags. Nowadays, they're the perfect accessory for companies to promote their brand and share a message. With custom embroidery options, tote bags are not only practical but also stylish and personal. Plus, they're eco-friendly and reusable, which is a big win for the environment. So next time you're at a trade show or event and you spot a tote bag, remember that it's more than just a bag - it's a walking advertisement and a statement piece!