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A question about shopping bags

Marlene

Veteran

Hi everyone! I've been bringing my own bags shopping for quite some time now. The challenge is that when I go clothing shopping, I'm feeling a little out of place bringing my grocery bags with me. Most of my tote bags are too heavy...both in weight and in scale. I have a black leather one but its so heavy that I don't like carrying it. So i have been bringing a previously used paper shopper and asking my new items to be placed inside. But it always has some other store's logo on the outside and I feel awkward. They don't mind....everyone seems to be on board with the reusable shopping bag concept! But I'd like something a little more appropriate. So now I ask:

Do any of you have a lightweight tote-style bag that you would recommend that would be appropriate as a shopping bag? I want something that is not like I just grabbed it from the shelf in my garage on my way out the door. I'm going shopping this afternoon so I can have a look around if anyone can point me in the right direction! Thanks!!!

Shopping

43 replies

Latest reply was from Marlene

Dee

Veteran

I like those lightweight nylon totes. They fold up small enough to fit in my handbag until I use them. I have one I bought from BR a few years ago and it's still going strong. And I think it gives me 10% off my BR purchases.

Dee

Veteran

I can't find one online, but they usually have a bin of them by the register. It was $10, I think.

abc

Veteran

I have several made of lightweight material, not plastic, but super light, in varying sizes. I have one cotton one (thicker fabric) we use for groceries and market days, and in a pinch for kids stuff (toys, sippy cups, etc). I would just keep your eyes open, depends where you are, but I am pretty sure you can find alternatives to plastic bags that are cute and semi stylish and that don't weigh a ton.

if I recall, Anna started a thread with some really cool ones a while back. User annagybe if you wanna search.

abc

Veteran

Oh another thought, if you are in the USA, container store has a display with thin nylon ones that crush up like Dee mentioned to hardly nothing.

Staysfit

Veteran

I love Envirosax. I have 5-6 of them in different patterns and colors. They fold up very small, hold up to 40 pounds. Are light weight. I bring them to the mall for clothes shopping all the time and so do my friends.. I have had mine for three years now and they are still in good shape. They make good holiday gifts also. I included them as part of my holiday package to my coworkers. You can purchase them in bulk. I believe they have a website. I purchased my first bag in a museum shop somewhere, and I loved it so much I hunted more down.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have a couple of lightweight nylon totes from Envirosax that I love -- they roll up into a compact little roll when not in use. I carry one in my purse for impromptu shopping, and I keep one at home to use for returns. Plus they have some really cute/pretty patterns:

http://www.envirosax.com

http://www.amazon.com/Envirosa.....2591343011

kkards

Veteran

I actually have some very lightweight fabric bags that I use. they fold up, but have an actual shape to them and very long handles. 1 was a promotional bag i got 2 years ago during Small Business Saturday, I think the others I bought on vacation to haul my vacation loot home in.

link if you want to see an example of what i'm talking about
https://www.google.com/search?.....sch&a...

Staysfit

Veteran

Ha ha Janet! We must have posted at the same time! :-). I carry one with me also. They are very handy!

Diana

Veteran

I like these Baggu ones. They fold up into a little pouch or you can just stuff them in your purse and they take up almost no room and are super light.

http://www.amazon.com/BAGGU-St....._1?ie=UTF8...

I've used the Envirosax ones as well and they are also great.

DizzyLizzy

I use Envirosax, which looks like a popular choice on here they really do weigh nothing and fold up into a tiny little package.

I note that reuseable/foldable nylon backpacks seem to be around as well in lots of colors which also would be a good option.

kellygirl

Veteran

I like the bags from Chicobags. They fold up into a little pouch. Super convenient and roomy.http://www.chicobag.com/category/shopping

Gaylene

Veteran

Another vote for the EnviroSac. I've used my set for close to a decade and they still are going strong. They wash easily, fold into a small roll, and are small enough that I can easily carry one or two in my smallest hamdbag. My husband stuffs a couple into his jacket pocket if he does the grocery shopping. There are my go-to stocking stuffer or small gift at Christmas. I also throw a couple into my carryon when I travel because they can corral stuff like coats, gloves, and the like before stuffing said items into the overhead bin so nothing gets lost.

unfrumped

Veteran

Ditto nylon mesh or microfiber--best for stashing in purse.
But, if you like the structure of the heavy paper tote, I keep on hand several of the plain brown paper bags with the gift-bag style handles--some stores, often food shops, use those and they're great for gifts but also stand up and stay open--sometimes a feature I need. My goal when possible is just to have something plain or at least unrelated to clothing retail name or logo (not a competitor).

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Seconding the Chico bags. I've had some for probably ten years now. They fold up into their own little bag; I keep one in my purse and one in my car. I also have my stash of bigger grocery sized bags in the car if I need them, but the Chico bags can go in my purse or hook to a belt loop for those times when you're only buying a few things and don't want to haul a big bag around feeling conspicuous.

Laurinda

Veteran

A Lands' End canvas tote works well. And I especially enjoy bringing one shopping at Land's End ;-).

ETA: I wouldn't buy one just for shopping, but they come in handy for all kinds of schlepping. Mine are from the sale/not-quite-perfect rack; I have a selection with other people's names and monograms just for fun.

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Kirstjen

Veteran

I love my nylon shopping bags from Loqi. I bought 2 in Amsterdam, and they both make me smile whenever I use them. I've even had a guy at the farmer's market take a picture of one of them - the "Sexy" one.

http://www.loqistore.com/colle.....ollections

They are not expensive, and they are about as big as a shopping bag - wide enough for clothing on hangers.

Anonymous

I actually have one from Shutterfly that I had made with my dog's photo and name on it. That way I also know it is mine!

Marlene

Veteran

I do have several of those light nylon bags already and they have logos on them. I am going to look through all the links and see if there is one that is more neutral/generic that may fill the bill. Thanks everyone!

Gaylene

Veteran

Marlene, just a couple of tips that you might find useful:

If you think you'd ever want to wear the bag on your shoulder, pay attention to the position of the handles. The design of some of these bags puts the bag's length at right angles to your body once you put the straps over your shoulder. That makes a full bag really awkward to carry since the bag juts out from your body.

Check the length of the straps. Some of the bags have longer straps to make it easier to put the bag on your shoulder, but a too-long strap can cause a full bag with a bit of weight to drag on the ground if you carry the bag in your hand with your arm straight.

Finally, decide if you like the idea of a separate piece to compress the bag. The EnviroSac comes with an attached strap with a snap that holds the rolled up bag together. Other systems use a small pouch (separate or attached) and velcro closures. I'm not a fan of velcro because it seems to pick up lint from my handbag and sometimes grabs on to things when I pull it out of my bag. I also find it tedious to stuff and unstuff into a small pouch. i like to grab my bag, give it a shake to unroll it, and get packing--most often I don't even bother to unsnap the strap of my EnviroSac because it just hangs from the bottom of an opened bag.

These are small details, but I find they really make a difference.

jska222

I like the nylon totes that can be thrown in my purse. The Banana republic ones are great and look nice. I also donate any store paper shopping bags to dress for sucess to use for their clients

Marlene

Veteran

Gaylene - I never put bags on my shoulders because of shoulder issues. I generally use a cross body purse for my wallet etc. I would keep my shopping bag in my hand so it would need a short handle to keep it from hitting the ground. But I see your point in how it would hang if you put it over your shoulder. Since I am putting so much effort into thinking about this bag, i need to consider all the options!

Robin

My favourite source for practically everything reusable is http://www.reuseit.com

I'm guessing you could find sizes and designs that work well for your clothes shopping.

Your reply

Joy

Veteran

My shopping tote for clothing is a wonderful large navy fabric tote brought from London with the Harrolds name on it. I have bought similar bags for friends when traveling as souvenirs. Mine lives in my closet and any returns go in it with receipt ready for the next trip to the mall.
I also always carry an EnviroSac in my bag too.

K. Period.

Veteran

Yes yes yes! I have a ton of these Flip & Tumble bags, which you can also order on Amazon. They even give you a volume discount if you buy from them. Okay, maybe not a ton, but at least four. I have had mine for over 5 years and only now are two of them starting to show wear, and I use them all the time. They are awesome!

karymk

Veteran

I collect high end shopping bags! I never feel bad about reusing a designer bag to return something to Banana Republic in.

Suzanne (ambergreen)

Veteran

I've used my Envirosax for a few years and love them, but I also have a couple of these remarkably inexpensive ones from World Market that might suit a hand carry better: example. They come in a lot of fun patterns.

Aubergine

Veteran

I have some of the Envirosax bags too and pretty much always have one in my purse. They're really durable -- I've had mine for maybe 5 years and washed them a bunch and they're still holding up well. Gaylene makes a really good point too about how the attached snap thingy can be easier to deal with than a separate pouch.

Greyscale

Veteran

I either re-use a sturdy bag from a previous shopping trip, or I'm carrying a backpack. I hadn't thought of bringing my canvas grocery bags, though I do prefer the structure of the heavy paper bags from nice stores.

I wouldn't buy one myself, but I do think it's cute that Bloomingdale's sells reusable versions of their iconic shopping bags:
http://www1.bloomingdales.com/.....?ID=117033

tulle

Veteran

I don't know whether you shop at Free People, but they put purchases in cheerfully printed, lightweight cotton shoulder bags. My daughter is a FP fan, so I've accumulated lots of these bags. They fold up easily into a handbag and seem to carry an amazing amount of stuff. Very handy--and free.

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