Nothing is more can-do than the tote.

Oh, you say, that's not really a handbag.

No, it isn't. It's the handbag's work horse, the one that does the lugging and carrying and sitting in risky poolside puddles, full of peanut butter crackers and sweating sodas covered in terry towels.

But remember, it's not all function here. There is style among totes. There are even sales.

Hey Stylin'. Great new totes ON SALE that will soon become the bag de bag.
Check out the totes offered by Calypso. Bag with fringe is the Bettina Bag by Calypso Christiane Celle. Canvas and leather with beads and an inside pocket. "This is a wonderfully diverse bag for everyday use or just for going to the beach." Regularly $95 but now $50. The beach bags by Ipanima have distinctive applique design, inside pockets, including that handy-dandy cell phone pocket. Originally, $220 but now selling for just $90. One drawback on the beach bags: Dry Clean Only.



This Ella Maiden Medium Portsea tote bag is a brilliant alternative to the usual boring shopping bag or briefcase. Can also double as a large handbag, shopping bag and is also perfect to use travelling on the weekend or for overseas. Large secure zipper section in the middle of the bag. Extra side zip pocket and mobile phone holder. 3 sections in total. Long enough for foolscap paper work and your notebook. Handcrafted out of Brown & White or Black & White hand shaved genuine Australian cowhide. Measurements: W49 x H32 x D13 cm. All Ella Maiden products are 100% handcrafted with passion & pride in Australia and offer superior quality.



Levenger Improv Tote: Talk about luxury. Levenger has choicy stuff for "serious readers" including a terrific leather tote bag, originally $298 and now half that at $149. Other features include zip top, pebbled leather with suede trim, interior pockets, little feet on the bottom. Dimensions: 14½”W x 5”D x 14½”H. Three colors - pinkish, greenish and brown. More details here.

• Land's End Leather and Canvas Weave Bag with three canvas bags
  

New look on old canvas favorite: leather framework
Three interchangeable, dapper cotton canvas bags
Leather frame snaps shut across the top center
Four brass feet on the bottom for durabilit
Price: $118

Parrott Mesh Beach and Garden Tote is the kind of classy bag you would find in your grandmother's closet and dream of old days when bags this chic worked this well. So subtly colored and crafted, this bag could take a few trips to the office without signaling WEEKEND. In amber, black or silver. In small ($23) or extra-large ($32), go ahead and monogram it ($5). The pluses:

• Extra-heavy wicker mesh fabric – durable, rinse clean convenience
• 2” heavy cotton webbing wrap-around handles
• Inside slip pocket for easy to retrieve items
• Leather strap w/ snap closure
• Constructed with heavy-weight nylon thread

Have so many bags that you can't possibly think of adding another? Need something but you are shoping lean? Let's try a tote syle à la Français
from the ECOBags®. The string bag is their signature product. Small but expandable, it stuffs neatly into a purse, ready for any occasion. Plus, it is see-through and it breathes. Different colors and quantities available at ECOBags, most for less than $10.

And want to feel really good? ECOBags uses fair wage-fair labor, many products are made with certified organic cotton or natural (no bleach).





Know of other great beach bags? Weigh in now! Click Easy Edit and tell us about 'em.

Need a bag that's more specific that the basic tote? Have a look:

• Diaper bags
• Dog carriers
• Duffle bags

• Gym bags
• Laptop bags
• Man bags (ahem, the proper term is unisex)
• Messenger bags