While this wasn’t the strongest option here – we wouldn’t recommend piling it high with the weekly food shop – it was one of the most simple yet on-trend picks. Here are the three bags we recommend for their versatility, durability, and overall design and functionality. Here are a few favorites! The handles are thick and sturdy, the shape is just big enough to hold everyday essentials – including some beach-day needs (except for a towel) – with a fold-out bottom that gives it a more tube-like shape. The simple design was easy to pair with any outfit, while the size and shape made it the perfect option for every day, whether going to work, the beach or just on daily errands. For beach days, we’d opt for the Anthropologie basket tote bag, thanks to its very generous size. But in the words of Heather Hurst, a Washington, D.C.-based content creator and co-founder of Vintage HQ, “summer would not be summer without a jute basket bag.” She notes that this understated option from Mango has just enough room for towels for a beach day, wine for a dinner party and even an outfit change for a post-pool party.
But for those who like more of a pop of colour, or even a bargain buy, then it has to be the Studio multicoloured straw clutch bag. Like many of you, I’m still obsessed with the pompom trend! When it comes to fashion, I’m obsessed with accessories, especially handbags. I bought this Hat Attack round handle straw tote bag months ago, and I’m beyond obsessed! Last year I bought two straw bags – one with pretty bow detailing, and the other (which is still available and on sale) in pink. During the warm summer months, I tend to splurge on straw tote bags! My INCH bag is definitely separate from my other bags and is kept in an easy-to-get location. Luxury meets practicality in this branded tote bag from Gucci. I scoured the net and found 22 fabulous straw tote bags in a variety of styles, colors, and price ranges. If you’re looking for an affordable straw beach bag, look no further. This one’s perfect for you as it is the most affordable type and good if you’re always on the go.
They come in so many different trends, styles and are perfect for a variety of occasions, it’s easy to fall in love! Lightweight and easy to fold down, it can be popped into a suitcase as a holiday essential, which we’re sure to be doing for many trips to come. Available in three neutral shades, our tester loved this grey option, though we’d love to see some brighter colours come out, too. We loved how this bag brightened up even the plainest outfit and went with almost anything, thanks to the number of colours included. So, using each bag in our round-up for a whole day of food shopping, picnicking and daily errands, and even taking one all the way to Ibiza, we put them through their paces, testing what they could hold, how easy they were to carry and what scenario they would be best for. The best way to avoid single-use plastic is to know where you use it most and give yourself an alternative. Incredibly cute, this Jigsaw option is small enough for everyday use yet still large enough to hold a (small) laptop, book and daily essentials without spending ages rummaging around for necessities. It had to look great, of course, but it also needed to be comfortable to wear, sturdy enough to hold all of the essentials, and have none of those pesky straw fibres sticking out.
The bag isn’t lined (we’d recommend using an additional zip-up pouch to hold any essentials) but structurally, this option is faultless. If you have limited space or want to try some nifty harvest magic, this could be a great option for you. Why not try to go for just one week without using a straw, just as a trial? Another one from independent brand Bonita, but very different in design to the monogrammed style, is this bohemian bag. This bag is quite a statement piece, with a bright floral design adding to the summer feel. Circular wooden handles mean it can only be held by hand, making it the perfect evening bag or beach-wedding option, while the loose knit of the rope gives it a real laid-back yet elegant feel. It also gives the bag a sort of two-in-one feel, as the inner pouch could always be removed and used as a clutch or make-up bag on its own. Of course, the first thing we noticed was the standout design of cream pom-poms, fringing, wooden beads and shells in a sort of macrame-style design (given all these added elements, it is a tad on the weighty side).
