The Canvas Tote

Lately I’ve been really into canvas tote bags. I actually have a mild addiction to the cheap $5-$10 ones (my favorites tend to be from bookstores or library events), which I keep in multiples in the car and around the house, but with the kids, I need a little more space and function. Of course I already have some “fancier” mommy totes – the Faure le Page Daily Battle, the ubiquitous Goyards, and an Hermes Garden Party (most which are shown here), but I have to confess that lately all I have been using are canvas totes, both priced around $50! I have been enjoying them so much that I thought I would share with you.

First up is the one on the top left – the classic LL Bean “Boat and Tote”.

I have a few of these LL Bean totes already (mostly used to store equipment, or shamefully enough, other totes around the house), but a few months ago I decided to play around with the“custom boat tote” tool. Since I lack imagination, I ended up doing it in all black, with an outside pocket and zip top, in medium. With initials.

It took only a few weeks to arrive – and when it did, I was very happy! I love that I got to do all black since that usually isn’t LL Bean’s thing (though I wish they’d let me choose black stitching too). And the tote is perfectly functional. It fits a little less than a standard size backpack, but still a ton – if I were in an office environment this would also be a good laptop bag. And the canvas is indestructible. I also liked that I could choose long handles – the short ones are annoying for me to stick on my shoulder.

PS: Actually my favorite handle length on LL Bean totes is found on these lightweight bags – if you are looking for a GREAT beach/grocery bag I would really recommend these, in size large. They have the added benefit (which isn’t on the other totes) of the outside pocket AND an inside zip pocket, which would be really perfect on the boat totes and I don’t know why LL Bean doesn’t just add that option already. Ahh!

But anyway…though the LL Bean tote is great, my favorite actually goes to the one on the right – this great Madewell camo tote.

Ever since I got this tote, I’ve been using it nonstop. The size is GREAT- bigger than the LL Bean boat, about the size of a standard backpack, but more open and accessible. What I usually do is dump all my items for the day inside, as well as a small crossbody for my phone and keys (I’ve been using my Halzan). See how big it is?

Also, another detail I want to point out – though it lacks the handy outside pocket of the boat and tote, it not only has a zip pocket inside, but the large zip pocket has another slip pocket outside of it, so the perfect place to put your phone.

I put tons of stuff inside. Lunchboxes, snacks, wipes, extra clothes, shoes, water bottles, toys – it all fits. And I don’t worry too much about it getting wrecked because it was under $60. The leather straps are comfortable, it matches with everything…I really love this one. I love all camo, but especially good camo, and this (in my opinion) is an example as such.

In short – it’s perfect! I want to get a backup but I vowed I’d stop doing that so I’ll just enjoy this for now. Highly, highly recommend this one or one of the solid canvas versions for anybody looking for a great travel bag (that can fit other bags), work/laptop bag, and diaper bag. Light, sturdy, inexpensive. What else would you want?

PS: If you look at the pattern, you can see a little black rabbit on the bottom of my tote! I think that’s why they called it “cottontail camo”? I paid full price and I would have paid double for how much I love and use this bag.

Are there any other canvas tote addicts out there?