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Are We Actually Getting New Trader Joe’s Striped Tote Bags?

If you’ve somehow missed it, people really, really love Trader Joe’s tote bags. Mini or full-size, it doesn’t matter. People go particularly feral over the springtime pastel tote drop. These bags are like status symbols — carrying one proves your valiant efforts to acquire one. But if you have not been able to pick up a Trader Joe’s tote bag yet, then I might have good news for you, as there are rumors of a new summertime themed tote drop lurking on the internet. Considering how popular the pastel totes are, you’re going to need to know about this rumor if you hope to get the next bag. I can already sense the dread of Trader Joe’s employees at the mere thought of such a rumor, so please, read this article instead of calling them to demand answers.

What is the Trader Joe’s tote bags rumor?

It appears the rumblings of a summer tote drop came from @traderjoesobsessed on Instagram, who reported in early April that a “striped pastel mini tote is coming in late April.” That said, there has been no sign of the bags just yet. An update from the account speculated that they would drop sometime in May, but the official date is undetermined. 

What do the new striped tote bags look like?

In the spirit of summer, the new Trader Joe’s tote bags allegedly have a thicker striped pattern and come in four muted colors — green, blue, pink, and tan. They are said to be the mini totes, which seems like a curious choice. Wouldn’t you want a large tote to fit your beach towel or other summery items in? Either way, all of the information is coming from leaks, so take this information with a grain of salt. 

So, are the leaked Trader Joe’s tote bags real?

The images could be fabricated, but according to employees from Reddit, a summer-themed bag drop is coming. One user, @Acceptable-Leg5524 said, “stripes show up this summer” but they don’t have a date, only “Just coming soon…it’s called “summer fun” tote or something.” Though, it was debated on thread if “summer fun” referred to the totes or the new insulated bags. Multiple commenters noted that the bags are in “QIL” and have been there for some time. But they don’t appear to have pictures of the bags yet. 

However, a Trader Joe’s spokesperson has acknowledged the existence of the bags to the press, telling Reno Gazette Journal, “Trader Joe’s has plans to offer a new striped mini canvas tote this summer.” No other details were offered though. So it appears we are getting the bags. But when, and what they actually look like, are still a mystery. The price will likely be three dollars, as the other tote bags have been. 

How can you find out more about the totes?

If you’re looking to get your hands on a new tote, keep an eye out on fan-made Trader Joe’s accounts on socials and check the news. Just don’t pester Trader Joe’s employees for information on them — they either don’t know or can’t tell you information like the release date, and these bags are not worth hassling employees over. They’re cute, but they’re just bags.

Sarah Leberknight was the Fall 2025 Spoon Editorial Intern, and has been writing for the National Writer Program since 2024. She covers food on all fronts, hoping to write articles that make you hungry for a snack, and loves to tackle divisive opinions on your favorite foods.

Sarah is a senior at Virginia Tech, where she juggles 3 majors—English Literature, Creative Writing, and Professional and Technical Writing. She writes for VT’s Collegiate Times newspaper as an opinions columnist, spouting her thoughts on women’s soccer, college, and anything else she has a say on. Her work has also appeared in VT News and Trill Mag, where she interned for 6 months as an entertainment writer and is now interning as an editor. She previously interned at Sneak Peek Books as a book reviewer.

When Sarah’s not writing professionally or for school, she’s still writing. Short stories, a novel trilogy, and novellas—she does it all. Except poems. And if she actually isn’t writing, she’s playing video games or watching other people play video games. She can’t get enough of the Legend of Zelda.