You’d be hard-pressed to find an absence of shopping bags in any household. Many of us are guilty of concealing a leaning tower of Tesco bags in a spare cupboard, while our go-to tote bag remains on our person at all times.
Whether you are heading to Selfridges or Sainsbury’s, having a sturdy shopper is essential. There’s nothing worse than your favourite bag splitting mid-shop and having to face the scurry of shame in an attempt to reclaim the contents. The best way to avoid such embarrassment is to arm yourself with a ripstop number which will carry all your belongings with ease.
Some prefer to carry an extra shopping bag in their everyday bag, while others opt for an extra large holdall to cover all items. Be it a classic canvas tote, Bag For Life or luxury piece to use day-in day-out, there are a few boxes a shopping bag must tick before purchase
First and foremost is functionality. Shopping bags must be strong and spacious enough to house the heaviest loads, from weekly food shops to full-blow shopping sprees. This means construction is key. Materials such as cotton, quilting and denim make for robust choices, while also showcasing eye-catching designs.
As with all accessories, aesthetics are key. Tote bags and shoppers have gained It-girl status, thanks to names such as Alexa Chung, Mia Regan and Elsa Hosk all debuting their handy holdalls via social media. Influencers have followed suit, with many posting candid snaps from their latest Sunday morning Columbia Road outing, clasping a woven tote bag laden with sunflowers and oat milk lattes.
We know for sure that gone are the days of flimsy paper shopping bags. As per shopping scenes from Clueless, Sex And The City and Pretty Women, paper shopping bags were once the only choice for shopping ‘til dropping. Thanks to the rising concern for environmentalism, disposable shopping bags are on the decrease and reusable alternatives are taking over.
Ensure your shopping trips are as seamless as possible with a practical shopping bag to take you from A to B. Check out some tempting totes, shoppers and carryalls below.
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Cos Oversized Diamond-Quilted Bag
Cos’ oversized quilted bag is a favourite for a reason. It’s incredibly spacious and will fit everything, from a laptop to a large makeup bag and more.
Buy now £65.00, Cos
Joanie Oxenhope Floral Stripe Print Quilted Book Bag
Joanie's limited edition Oxenhope bag is a delightful vintage take on everyday totes. The sumptuous quilted piece is crafted from deadstock fabrics, making it a stylish, sustainable choice.
Buy now £35.00, Joanie
Oliver Bonas Niki Net Lilac Sparkle Fabric Shopper Bag
You’ll no doubt have seen a netted shopper cross your path. A lightweight option to keep in your regular bag at all times, Oliver Bonas’ glitter-clad bag is perfect for last minute food shops and market outings.
Buy now £9.50, Oliver Bonas
Ganni Cotton Crochet Frill Tote Bag
One for those looking for an expansive everyday holdall, Ganni’s crochet tote offers up a covetable add-to-bag moment. It will house office essentials and additional items from post-work shops. Take yours from the beach to the high street.
Buy now £185.00, Ganni
Weekday Carry Tote
Keep it simple with Weekday’s Carry Tote. It’s versatile, spacious and sleek, not to mention gender-neutral for all to enjoy.
Buy now £34.00, Weekday
Stradivarius Denim Shopper Bag
Another denim pick to consider, this shopper oozes Nineties nostalgia. Pop your phone and wallet in the useful side pockets and load up with goodies throughout your spree.
Got an old pair of jeans gaining dust in your wardrobe? Make your own denim shopper to show off to friends.
Buy now £29.99, Stradivarius
Carhartt WIP Terrell Striped Cotton Tote Bag
Tote enthusiasts will coo over Carhartt’s striped cotton creation. The bag is an everyday must and can fit a laptop with ease. Smaller interior pockets are useful for phones, wallets and stationery. Cool kid cliques and art students, run, don’t walk.
Buy now £70.00, John Lewis
Eastpak x Telfar Large Shopper Woven Shoulder Bag
Telfar burst onto the fashion scene a few years ago and has since collaborated with brands such as Ugg. The label’s latest alliance is with Eastpak, the beloved backpack brand. Together the duo have released the large shopper shoulder back which doubles up as a nifty backpack.
It has a unisex olive hue, a wipe-clean surface and adjustable straps. Plus, the side pockets, padded laptop pocket and removable shoulder-to-backpack straps aid with the all-around functionality of the Chameleon carry-all.
Buy now £200.00, Selfridges
Typo Art Tote Bag
Find a bag to suit your personality with Typos’ tote collection. Featuring a spacious main compartment, a side drink bottle holder and an internal pocket, the botanical piece won’t solely appeal to green-fingered shoppers, but also budget-bound students.
Buy now £12.00, Cotton On
Kind Bag Reusable Bag
Kind Bag is celebrated for its plethora of recyclable material shopping bags. The brand stocks an array of practical packaway bags to stick in your purse. From retro florals to timeless stripes, there’s something for everyone.
Buy now £12.00, Kind Bag
H&M Padded Shopper
Padded to perfection, H&M’s on-trend shopper is a failsafe choice. Quilted elements take the pressure off your shoulders, while padded top handles offer an easy-grab experience. Pick from electric blue or black and pop to the shops in style.
Buy now £15.90, H&M
Le Labo Denim Tote
Safeguard your items with a sturdy denim tote that’s bound to last the years. Le Labo’s Brooklyn-designed tote bag is made from selvedge denim which boasts the brand’s original gold-leaf logo and contrasting khaki handles.
Buy now £95.00, Le Labo
