Oilcloth market totes are bags that offer roomy, attractive storage for your items. Oilcloth provides a unique look as well as durability.
About Oilcloth
Although oilcloth was originally designed as durable attire for rough, wet occupations such as fishing and sailing, its uses and design became more extensive. In years past, it was a material utilized for floor and furniture coverings. While advances in other materials such as linoleum have proved more time-efficient to produce and more economically viable for such purposes as flooring, oilcloth remains among us.
Its forms today takes on a wonderful nostalgic appeal in protective household décor for things such as walls, tables, and shelves. Accessories and outerwear are also designed form oilcloth, such as raincoats, cosmetic bags, aprons, bibs, baby play mats, smocks, and oilcloth market totes.
Oilcloth was originally fabric treated with water resistant agents such as oils, varnishes, paints, or waxes. Today fabrics such as canvas are treated with a vinyl coating that reveals the beauty of the fabrics while providing water resistance and easy cleaning.
Benefits of Oilcloth Market Totes
Oilcloth market totes can be found in a wide array of fabrics, from bright vintage colors and fabrics to those with more subdued country appeal. They offer a variety of benefits for users, including:
- Spaciousness for groceries, market items, supplies, or travel
- Water resistant and easy to wipe clean
- Affordably priced
- Durability in a lightweight tote
- No-sew versions can be customized to your preferences and crafted at home
- Range of fabric designs
- Versatility
- Range of tote sizes and shapes
The Look
The look of oilcloth market totes is usually pretty and fun. Vintage looks are often created with splashy, brightly colored prints in florals, fruits and vegetables, or other prints. Gingham checks are another commonly used pattern for oilcloth totes, or gingham touches may be added for a feminine touch.
The totes are available in small, large, and medium sizes. Squared and rectangular shapes are most common. Handles may be small and rounded gift-bag style handles, or wide, thick straps. The wider, more flexible straps are typically found in larger oilcloth market totes for ease of carrying heavy items. These are either open bags, or have a simple snap or Velcro enclosure for easy accessing of your goods.
designer oilcloth market totes may also have additional embellishments such as bows, ribbons, or embroidered accents.
Pricing and Where to Buy
For standard oilcloth market totes, you can expect to pay between $20 and $40, depending on the size and manufacturer. For designer oilcloth totes, prices range from around the forty dollar mark to over $150.
Since oilcloth totes are a more handbags item, your best bet for finding one may be the Internet. Individual designers sell their oilcloth wears via their online stores, and you can find vintage oilcloth bags on eBay.
The following online stores offer a range of low to mid-priced oilcloth bags and market totes:
For higher-end designer oilcloth bags, check out:
