Trendy Tote Bags for Summer 2008

From Canvas Shoppers, Ethical Totes, to Celebrity IT Bags

Jun 4, 2008 Gill Hart

This year sees some really nifty totes, from nautical barrel bags to totes emblazoned with motifs, and canvas shoppers representing the best in ethical fashion.

If you are a fashion-foward fashionista, you’ve got this season's sexy swimsuit and a chic cover-up caftan, now all you need is a tasty tote for the beach or bar.

The emphasis for 2008 is on fun and quirky. Whether you want to be hip with the latest IT bag or cute and playful with a colorful tote, there is a bag to match your every mood:

Motif Totes

People motifs are right on-trend this year like Marc Jacobs fun female motif, a metallic tote featured in Elle UK, June 2008 ($148) which is selling fast .Coming in joint first on Handbaggers.com Top 10 Handbag list is Yves Saint Laurent’s classy gold patent leather Y-Mail Tote, with envelope and address motive ($1295), available from Neiman Marcus.

Canvas Shoppers or Beach Bags

When it comes to canvas, Longchamp’s people motif white leather-trim canvas bag ($275) is the ultimate in beach chic, and for something more casual, there are colorful stripes from Marc Jacobs or loud, jazzy patterns from Tory Burch and Juicy Couture. Milly's green paisley, metallic edged Della Fonte Beach Tote ($339) represents the true essence of summer, available at shopbop.com.

Practical Totes

When it comes to practicality, courtesy of Tory Burch, is a colorful laminated print collapsible tote, with patent trim ($250), at Shopbop. There's no problem if it gets a little wet at the pool, and it can be folded away when its not in use. No trip to the beach would be complete with a roomy straw tote. Take a look at Betsey Johnsons, Betsyville Playa De Betsey Large Tote (£89) at Asos, with floral embroidery and Mexican-style pom pom detailing.

Nautical Trend

If you want to give a nod to one of this summer's biggest trends then try Juicy Couture’s rope-handled Anchor Tote from shopbop at $250. Boyy's summer striped weekender ticks two boxes in one, nautical and oversized ($414). Taking things up a notch is Chanel’s runway exclusive funky porthole bag, or Balenciaga’s nautical leather rope handle sack from Asos.

Celebrity IT Bags

When it comes to celebrity IT bags then Prada’s Fringe Tassel Tote ($904) has been seen adorning the arms of new singing sensation Leona Lewis and other celebs like Heidi Klum. Look magazine, 26 May 2008 features Rachel Bilson, carrying Lanvin ‘s oversized Papillote tote ($925), which the Bag Lady.com refers to as “quite possibly the most expensive canvas shopper I have ever laid eyes on.” This wonderful bag has been flying off the shelves at Barney’s, but they are soon to be restocking, acording to the Bag Lady blog.

Eco-friendly Bags

Plastic bags are being usurped by green eco-friendly canvas totes. Whether it’s the original Anya Hindmarch, I’m not a Plastic Bag or its look-a-like successors.

Stewart and Brown have a cute canvas Love Bird motif tote (£38) in organic cotton, available from Adili.com, the ethical fashion store. This bag is roomy and durable enough for shopping and is perfect for lazy days on the beach. A colorful and practical alternative is the Oneless bag (£10), made from recycled saris, which folds back on itself, to take up very little space. Each one is truly unique and is the perfect replacement to the dreaded plastic bag!

The copyright of the article Trendy Tote Bags for Summer 2008 in Shoes & Accessories is owned by Gill Hart. Permission to republish Trendy Tote Bags for Summer 2008 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Betseyville Pom Pom Tote - a Touch of Mexicana	People Motif Totes are Big This Summer	Balenciaga Leather Rope Handle Sack
The Bag That Started Ethical Totes