Tote-ally Cool: 5 tips for carrying your tote bag

Tote Bags

Perfect for carrying work and personal items, the tote bag is a classic accessory for the practical individual on the move. The bigger size and sturdy construction of the tote allows for streamlined portability that makes them ideal for work or study. Stylight's selection of tote bags includes a variety of designs and materials, including traditional square styles, bucket bags, and flared shapes.

Tote-ally Cool: 5 tips for carrying your tote bag

Whether you use it as a shopping bag, a trendy way to stow your books or an alternative to a clutch, one thing is certain: Tote bags unite utility with style. However, style means nothing if you don’t know how to carry them the right way. Now that men have started using this kind of bag as well, it’s time we laid down a few tote bag dos and don’ts!

You’ll recognize a tote by the short handles that can be carried loosely in your hand. They come in various sizes and designs, making them perfect for all of life’s demands. Totes with shorter handles will inevitably present its carrier with a few small challenges.

1. Don’t EVER wear tote bags over the shoulder

Tote bags should only be held in your hand or allowed to hang loosely from the wrist. When carried correctly, it’ll sway naturally with the movement of your arm and lend an air of class to any look.

2. Size is everything

Totes in different sizes aren’t just practical for when you have more or less to carry, but also serve as tools for accentuating specific styles or body shapes. If you’re petite, you’ll want to go for smaller designs; with low-hanging totes, you run the risk of appearing smaller than the bag you’re carrying! Taller people, on the other hand, can choose freely between small and large models. No matter your height, any tote bag that hangs below the knee will cause you to look shorter.

3. Avoid clutter

Believe it or not, tote bags weren’t made to carry your entire life. Filling them to the brim will kill the style factor dead in the water, not to mention cause unnecessary strain for your wrist and back. A tote bag should only be so full that it can still swing with ease.

4. Adapt tote bags to other needs

Lots of tote bags are now also sold with extra straps. In addition to being practical, they help your bag maintain a stylish appearance when carrying more than usual. Our tip: Keep the long straps inside the tote bag when you don’t need them; otherwise, they tend to flap around needlessly and make the bag look bigger.

5. Gentlemen, get your tote on!

Just look to Hollywood and you’ll know it’s true: Tote bags make a great addition to any man’s outfit! Up until now, designs for men’s sport and business totes have received the most attention. But it doesn’t have to stay that way! New designs are making it possible to integrate tote bags with more urban looks.

Needless to say, tote bags are a classic for a reason. Use them correctly and you’ve got a bag that’ll go with practically everything! Although just as elegant, clutches pale in comparison to the added storage space and versatility of a tote bag. An ideal handbag for many occasions, tote bags add a great final touch to any outfit, day or night.

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