Carry On: Stylish, Locally Made Totes

Photo: Vanport Outfitters

A good bag—like true love, a dream job or an affordable apartment—can be very hard to find. Your arm candy should be comfortable enough to lug around all day, versatile enough to be used for multiple occasions and large enough to stock all the necessities of life without making you look like you’re leaving on a three-week hike in the mountains. Lucky for us, there are many local retailers and designers that make finding a dependable bag that satisfies both functional and fashionable requirements a breeze. No matter what your style or method of transportation, these totes will meet your hauling needs all summer long. As for love, work and lodging, you’re on your own.

For the Biker in Charge of Dinner: NorthSt Grocery Pannier

NorthSt Bags designer Curtis Williams urges people to bike as much as possible. To aid his pro-cycling mission, he has created a line of backpacks and panniers, all designed to easily affix to your fixie. Williams’ carry-alls are handmade in his SE studio, where he uses weather-resistant and environmentally-friendly materials. The grocery panniers (single, $40) are assembled using scraps from vinyl banners, guaranteeing a bright, colorful—not to mention functional—addition to your two-wheeled friend. Tell your sweetie to relax; you’ll pick up all the supplies for a meal al fresco without having to answer the dreaded question: paper or plastic?

NorthSt Bags, 109 SE Salmon, 917.922.6507; other retail locations include: Oregon Bike Shop, 418 SE 81st Ave, 503.575.1804; Community Cycling Center, 1700 NE Alberta, 503.287.8786
 

For the Impromptu Trip to the Coast: Laurent Sauvé Beach Sling Bag by from Le Train Bleu

Perfect for stashing a towel, bathing suit and flip-flops, this nautical-themed sling bag ($135) is the ideal companion for a beach getaway. The patriotic color scheme of the body and rope detail on the strap will have visions of boats and waves in your mind long before you emerge from traffic and hit the Pacific. This relaxed style is nice for last-minute packing (i.e. stuffing) on the way out the door. Just make sure to remember the sunscreen!

Made by local company Vanport Outfitters, you can purchase this bag and similar variations at Le Train Bleu or on their website.

Le Train Bleu, 1905 NW 26th Ave, 503.343.5140
 

For the Summer Concert-goer: Board Game Bag from Mugwump

Self-described as a “clever endeavor in accessories,” Mugwup lives up to this assertion with its clever use of re-purposed materials as a base for creating totes that Mother Earth herself would feel good about sporting. Turning trash into treasure is what makes Mugwump, designed and created in Portland, so very Stumptown. The brand’s line of purses made from old board games ($45) are sure to garner the much desired “where DID you get that?” from your peers whenever it appears on your arm. With 5” deep vinyl sides, weather coating and thick handles, you won’t have to think twice about setting this bag on the grass, plus it is roomy enough to hold a snack and/or sweater for after the sun goes down and the music is just getting started.

Shop Mugwump on their website or shop at these local retailers: Cargo, 380 NW 13th Ave, 503.209.8349; Redux, 811 E Burnside, 503.231.7336; SaySay Boutique, 1010 SW Morrison Street, 503.223.1282
 

For the Farmers’ Market Frequenter: Leah Bag by 5th Season

With six official locations around town, Portland Farmers Market offers plenty of opportunities to reap the benefits of locally-grown produce, fresh baked goods, and meat straight from the pasture. Transporting all that bounty from the vendor tents to your kitchen can be tricky, especially if the market is just one stop on a list of errands. Enter the “Leah” shoulder tote ($52), your stylish yet eco-conscious antidote to the plain Jane reusable bags from the supermarket. 5th Season, an Etsy site based in Portland, is devoted to promoting sustainability through reduced consumption, a notion that will no doubt be met with cheers at a farmers’ market. This model, made from an old burlap coffee bag, has a cotton-lined interior that is safe for storing your homegrown eats and features a separate interior pouch to keep your valuables handy.

Although all the bags featured on 5th Season are one of a kind, the creator takes innovation ones step further by offering to customize designs. Take the chance and see what comes from your collaboration.

5th Season on Etsy

Summertime in Portland is too short to devote more than five minutes to selecting a bag for the day’s adventures. These are just a few suggestions to aid your search for the most practical choice. Where do you find the best bags in town?