The Versatility and Uses of Calico Bags

January 29, 2016

Today, calico bags come in all shapes and sizes, and are employed for both general and industrial purposes. With the organic movement taking full stride, more and more people are getting into the whole ‘conserve and reuse’ bandwagon, opting to employ reusable items for most basic things like grocery shopping, wrapping parcels, or simply carrying stuff around from one place to another.

One of the most popular reusable packaging items of late seems to be calico bags. Made of a durable, neutrally coloured, scentless and tough fibre, made from either the jute or the cotton plant, it has a history of usage that dates back to the mid-to-late 1700's, until well into the latter part of the Edwardian Period.

This fabric, known for its off-white and later bleached-white colour, is a slightly rough texture; some were heavy weave and was sourced from India. It was a very popular import for the East India Trading Company, during the height of its mercantile activities. Initially plain and employed specifically for the creation of tough bags and sacks, these were used to store and transport mercantile goods like tea, legumes and spices. This type of bag later became popular as a prime choice for millinery, and later, as raw material for working clothes.

Printed calico fabric called chintz, which featured simple to ornate floral and arabesque designs, was later employed as simple, affordable, and hardy clothes for the masses. The fabric, sewn into sacks, continued in usage and popularity until the end of the Second World War, when it was later replaced in much of the Western World by synthetic alternatives.

For the rest of the world, however, the tough, but light and airy, fabric remained a prime choice of storage and transport material, for the importation and shipment of coffee, tea, and other perishable goods that required a hardy means of storage for transport. And, it did this very well, without the drawbacks of products being cooped up in an air-tight and potentially ruinous environment, because the fabric was breathable. This allowed products like coffee or tea to be sufficiently aerated, so as to not grow mouldy or to spoil.

Smaller versions of the large sacks were later popularised by the Organic Movement as a way to transport purchased goods without having to depend on non-biodegradable, flimsy, and disposable plastic bags. Today, calico bags come in all shapes and sizes, and are employed for both general and industrial purposes. A staple for organic shops and ecologically conscious stores, it can also be found in paisley and other unique designs in upscale boutiques.

If you’re in need of a reliable, dependable, durable and reusable means to carry goods easily, without fear of mishaps, then you can’t go wrong with calico bags.

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