This is a small canvas tote that I have had for a while. I use it in addition to my handbag if I have small shopping to do or I am taking lunch from home to work. This bag fits a lunchbox and a juice box or bottle of water perfectly. It is nice and sturdy and stands up on its own. I like the short handles because some things I just like carrying in my hand or over my arm. This is the small size. They also do larger sizes.
I have had a number of thin cloth totes with shoulder straps that I have been given at conferences or in shops, but they don’t have a sturdy bottom or strong straps. I do use one or two of them but I generally donate most of them to charity, to keep them in circulation. I don’t need loads of them and they are not suitable for grocery shopping like this one is, because they don’t stand up on their own.
That is one seriously cute tote and I can completely understand what you mean about the fact that the bag needs to be a bit sturdy. Bags like these are super popular in Japan. A Japanese friend of mine sent me one like this.
I love that it is so sturdy rather than floppy. I use it quite a bit when I know I have extra to carry. I cannot fold it up and pop it in my handbag so I use my Loqi ones for that.