The word ‘tote’ means to carry and the term dates back to the early 17th century. However it was not used to describe bags until the 1900s. So literally a tote bag can be used to carry anything, from groceries to books. It may be made from various fabrics like cotton, treated canvas, leather or nylon. A tote bag is generally large and open and has its handles in the form of straps on each side of it. For the convenience of a user, tote bags usually come with small pockets or zippers for mobile phones or PDAs.
Tote bags are handy and sturdy, thus their making is such that it resists moisture and moulding. You can use them for multiple purposes and yet also treat them as fashion accessories. Earlier, large size was typical of tote bags but nowadays small and medium sizes are also readily available. All it has to do is solve your purpose, you may carry anything and everything in tote bag and hence it is very sturdy and durable to withstand heavy loads. Commonly seen carried by women for shopping, these shopping bags are also tote handbags and are generally made up of canvas because of its strength and durability.