The Best Retro Lunchbox

Retro lunchboxes have become an exciting trend for those that enjoy bringing a packed lunch to work or school rather than paying for over-priced fare in the local restaurants and cafeterias. It is also a great way to ensure that you are getting a nutritious lunch while avoiding any foods, calories, or fats you wish to avoid. Selecting a lunchbox with a retro look and feel makes the experience of a packed lunch all the more fun.
What is a Retro Lunchbox?

Young people have made the retro lunchbox popular. These styles of lunchboxes are most often constructed of a tin metal and include the old fashioned flip latches and plastic carrying handles on top, but they can be made out of fabric or plastic as well. They are decorated with bright colored images of everything from old TV sitcoms to modern blockbuster movies.
Plastic Retro Lunchboxes

Plastic lunchboxes are rigid which helps protect food from being crushed. The plastic versions are often less expensive too. Many people like them because they are easy to keep clean. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they are usually covered in a brightly colored picture of super heroes or a favorite cartoon character. Keep in mind that unless the label specifically says so, plastic retro lunchboxes are not insulated. They will not help keep foods cold. You also want to look for plastic that is free of any chemicals that can be absorbed by food. Look for ones described as kitchen safe.

Fabric Retro Lunchboxes

Fabric retro lunchboxes are becoming quite popular due to the fact they can be adorned with the retro images we all love while providing modern features such as thermal insulation to keep foods cold. This is very important if you will be carrying perishable foods like yogurt. Fabric lunchboxes come in a wide range of sizes which include small, compact designs as well as large backpack styles. Fabric lunchboxes also eliminate the worry about dangerous chemicals found in plastic.

Metal Retro Lunchboxes

Metal retro lunchboxes are the most popular because they look just like the vintage boxes we all adore. They tend to be limited when it comes to sizes, but they are excellent when it comes to protecting foods from bruising or being crushed. They also have no chemicals to worry about. They are easy to clean, but they do not keep foods cold.
Decoration

The design you choose for the outside of your retro lunchbox is purely a personal choice. If you want a truly vintage feel, look for lunchboxes with images of old TV shows like Happy Days or Howdy Doody. Some people enjoy a more recent style such as packman and other video games from the 1980’s. Classic characters like Mickey Mouse are timeless, and modern movies like Frozen are also great picks.
Thermos

Deciding whether to purchase a retro lunchbox that comes with a thermos or not will depend on how you choose to use the box. If you are simply looking for something you can use as home décor, the thermos isn’t as important. If this is something you are actually going to use on a daily basis for your lunch, the thermos could be quite handy to have. Although you can purchase a thermos from most retail stores easily, it may be hard to find one that matches your lunchbox’s images if you don’t buy them together.

Shape

The shape is also a personal choice, but if you are truly trying to capture that vintage feel, you will want a square or rectangular shaped box. These are the shapes that pop into our mind when we hear someone mention a retro lunchbox. Round boxes were also popular long ago, and they are making their way into today’s trendy designs with images of rock bands like the Beatles.
Size

Retro lunchboxes are often found in a standard size that is approximately eight by seven by four inches, but you can find them in larger versions. Those that want to capture a vintage feel will stick to this size, but if you are the type to carrying a lot of food to work or school, you may be happier with something a bit larger. Larger designs are easier to find in plastic or fabric versions.

Recommendations

If you are in the market for a retro lunchbox with that classic vintage feel, you can’t do any better than the Aquarius Wizard of Oz Large Tin Fun Box. This officially licensed product features colorful graphics of Dorothy and her friends making their way down the yellow brick road. This particular box is not recommended for food, but it is the perfect accent to retro home décor.

Those that want a lunchbox they can safely send to school with their kids each day will appreciate the plastic SUGARBOOGER Good Lunch Box with a retro robot design. This fully functional lunchbox is BPA-free, lead-free, PVC-free, and phthalate-free.

Part of the fun of a retro lunchbox is the uniqueness. The Beatles Black and White Shaped Tin Tote looks like a drum pulled right of the stage complete with the Beatles logo. This unique round box can be used safely with foods. Another unusual design is the fun Aquarius Vintage TV Embossed Large Tin Fun Box. This lunchbox looks just like those old fashioned box TVs. It even has a test pattern displayed on the screen.

Many people want a lunchbox that will combine the old with the new. Disney’s Frozen Olaf Embossed Tin Carry All Lunch Box has that retro feel with the images of a modern day hit movie. It has the classic square shape, plastic carrying handle and latch closure that is ideal for storing small toys, accessories, or jewelry.

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This page about Retro Lunchbox was composed by V. Tobies and published by Alternative.me.
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