It’s time to put away the leather and suede, and swap them out for something a little bit breezier. Straw bags are my go-to in summer. They have a magic ability to go from day to night, and always add an interesting textural touch to any outfit. Shop our favorites, from totes to clutches, below.
Nothing screams summer to me like a giant straw tote bag, stuffed with everything from sandy beach towels to your latest heirloom tomato farmers market haul. While it’s still a little early for tomatoes, it’s not too early to get your bag for the season. I love the silhouette of this extra-long raffia Tuckernuck tote, which looks a lot like one of the Row’s cult bags. In fact, a fun shape can make the difference between something standard and your new signature bag. Look at this fun Anthropologie tote, adorned with cute rope details and the nautical, almost seashell-y shape! I also love the rigidity of this large rectangular rattan tote, complete with black leather details. It feels a little more cosmopolitan, a little bit more “ladies who lunch”.
While I use my big straw bags until they unravel or inevitably snag (which makes them chicer, I think actually), a more delicate, dressy straw bag is also important for your date nights and slew of weddings. Of course Tuckernuck, a brand with a lot of Southern DNA, has bags that are the perfect amount of prim and pretty without being stuffy. I love this envelope-y woven clutch which feels very Bottega, this more restrained rigid clutch with a cute pearl closure, and this basket-inspired version with leather handles.
I also think that a little bit of structure in a straw bag can make all the difference. It adds constrast to so many of my rumpled, linen summer ensembles in a very effective way. This top-handle wicker bag from Serpui, this J.McLaughlin basket purse, or this J.McLaughlin leather and wicker purse are all great examples.
Shop the rest of our summer straw bags edit below:
All of our recommendations are curated by Susan & the In The Groove editorial team. In some, but not all cases, we receive a small commission for leading you to what, how, and where to buy all this wonderful stuff.
