It is not so much the style of tote as it is the fabric used. I make dozens of totes and often use them as gift bags. I have made them from duck cloth, bottomweight fabrics, denims and PUL fabrics. I find the sturdiest ones are made from one long piece (instead of two pieces with a seam in bottom). I box the bottom corners and I use a piece of plastic needlepoint canvas covered with fabric as a removable insert in the bottom. This gives extra strength to the bottom but is easily removed for laundering. Most of the grocery totes are not lined. I do line the ones I give as gifts or to my kids for school with fun cotton fabrics. (For the school ones, I add a foam lined laptop pocket, a bit of a flap at the top and an adjustable strap. Looks a bit more like a skinny messenger bag.)