Brown Tote

You are likely to find exactly the vintage or contemporary brown tote you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Our collection includes a variety of colors, spanning Brown, Black, Beige and more. You’re likely to find the perfect brown tote among the distinctive accessories we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 18th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 21st Century. There have been many well-made iterations of this accessory over the years, but those made by Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Hermès are often thought to be among the most stylish. There aren’t many items for men if you’re seeking these accessories, as most of the options available are for women and unisex.

Prices for a brown tote can differ depending upon size, designer and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $95 and can go as high as $399,925, while, on average they fetch $1,084.

From classic medium-sized Louis Vuitton leather tote bags to authentic cube-like Loewe shoulder bags woven in raffia, the large selection of vintage and designer tote bags on 1stDibs offers something for special occasions as well as everyday needs.

Although part of a modern look, tote bags have been roomy and versatile accessories since at least 1944, with the launch of L.L.Bean’s “ice bag.” The Maine retailer, then largely known for rugged field coats and hunting shoes, had introduced a big, durable canvas bag that was initially intended to carry firewood or ice. In those days, to keep produce and other foods cool in refrigerators, consumers had to regularly replace the blocks of ice that were doing all the work in their bulky appliances. There was no better bag to help haul big blocks of ice from the trunk of your car to your front door and, subsequently, to your kitchen.

Years later, during the 1960s, L.L.Bean’s Boat and Tote was introduced as an overhauled structured canvas version of the ice bag. Tested to lug up to 500 pounds, the Boat and Tote became a best seller. Also during the 1960s, American designer Bonnie Cashin created the Cashin Carry for Coach. Cashin was Coach’s first lead designer, and she liked leather, large pockets and earth tones. Her modern interpretation of the tote bag introduced a touch of elegance to this increasingly ubiquitous accessory.

In the subsequent decades, more brands debuted their own iterations of the tote bag, from Tory Burch’s Perry leather tote bag to Goyard’s luxurious Saint Louis. 

Pay tribute to this long and interesting history of a well-loved accessory by browsing the vintage and designer tote bags on 1stDibs.