These 10 Straw Totes Will Weave Together Your Beach-Ready Summer Looks!
When you dream of an island getaway, chances are you imagine gorgeous white sand, turquoise-colored ocean waters, and plenty of palm trees to provide shelter from the beaming sun and a gentle breeze. Considering that palm trees and tropical locales are so closely intertwined and that, moreover, ropes and twine made of braided sisal, rattan, and seagrass abound throughout the spectrum of maritime professions and leisure activities, no handbag style seems as perfectly appropriate for a day of at the beach as a raffia tote. Aside from their braided textural structures and roomy silhouettes, these roomy handbags are crafted using fibers that boast an uncanny ability to tolerate salt water (among them sisal, a special type of agave plant) without incurring any major damaged. Talk about the luck of the straw!
Check out these 10 stunning straw handbags, which feature unexpected dashes of color, whimsical tassel and pompom adornments, intricate geometric patterns, decorative bows, ribbon-like shoulder straps, netted overlays, and more!
Trina Turk Mirage Tote, $258. Available at TrinaTurk.com
As if the neon pink straw strands using to weave the base of this trapeze-shaped handbag weren’t compelling enough, this stunning carry-all features a large ring handle for a slightly Mod touch.
Mar y Sol Ibiza Tote, $135. Available at ShopMarySol.com
Made out of woven sisal, this navy blue basket tote features two cream-colored horizontal stripes sandwiching a wide navy-and-cream center strip with a simple geometric design consisting of a diamond shape within a grid-like framework. Measuring 17″ in height, 13″ in width, and 9″ in depth, this versatile tote features multi-colored raffia tassels for a festive feel.
Kate Spade Belle Place Straw Tote, $248. Available at KateSpade.com
Leave it to Kate Spade to make a classic straw tote utterly adorable. The basket-woven straw tote features black leather piping along the top and bottom edges, as well as rimming the oversize, three-dimensional, perfectly symmetrical bow placed at an angle along one corner of the open-top bag.
Banago Nakula Tote, $128. Available at Anthropologie.com
The poppy red, indigo blue, and bright turquoise straw fibers used to create this tote work to create dynamic geometric patterns reminiscent of those found in ancient Aztec mural paintings.
Rafe Sam Straw Tote in Coral Reef, $228. Available at NeimanMarcus.com
Coral and turquoise are always in vogue come summertime, so that this Rafe handbag’s reef-worthy color makes it all the more seasonally appropriate. Measuring 14″ in height, 20″ in width, and 7.5″ in depth, the bag features a woven straw shell and a webbed coral overlay that might remind you of a fisherman’s net. Coral leather handles and a jaunty tassel charm complete the resort-ready look.
J. Crew Colorblocked Straw Market Tote, $79.50 Market Tote. Available at JCrew.com
With its red, white, and blue color scheme, this paper straw handbag seems like the perfect finishing touch for a nautical-inspired ensemble (or a Fourth of July look!). Measuring 12″ in height, 5 3/4″ in width, and 5 3/4″ in depth, this sporty market tote folds flat (yes, flat!), making it all the easier to pack into your carry-on!
Alice + Olivia Olivia Market Tote, $177. Available at AliceAndOlivia.com
Flaunting a rounded base and a bucket-like silhouette, this exotic tote juxtaposes natural raffia strands against stark black fibers for a marbled look that’s way more refreshing than traditional stripes. Measuring 15.8″ in height, 11.8″ in depth, and 8.6″ in width, it’s perfect for packing sunscreen, shades, a compact towel, and a cool beverage!
Emilio Pucci Straw Tote with Leather, $1745. Available at Stylebop.com
Want to lounge poolside and look as glamorous as Faye Dunaway did when photographed by Terry O’Neill at the Beverly Hills Hotel the morning after her March 1977 Oscar win for Network? Then this Pucci number might be the perfect bag to prop next to your chaise. The natural straw tote conjures up the fun-loving summery mood, while the sunshine yellow leather inserts along the sides and matching handles add an unexpectedly bold design touch along with an urban sophistication.
Sensi Studio Bi-Color Straw Pompom Tote, $266. Available at MatchesFashion.com
Handwoven in Ecuador using toquilla straw, this tote offers a not-so-serious take on this season’s graphic, color-blocked, black-and-white motifs. The two shaded areas may be perfectly divided by a diagonal line, but the tactile nature of the woven straw material makes the pattern feel a bit mischievous. The coquettish effect is then amplified through the addition of fluffy pompoms along the bag’s upper rim, which give the design an amusing and cheerful touch.
Florabella Aliso Handwoven Tote, $245. Available at CalypsoStBarth.com
Don Draper’s newfound hippie friends would swoon over this Bohemian interpretation of the classic raffia tote, which replaces the traditional leather shoulder straps with wide, multi-colored straps made of braided thread and reminiscent of handmade friendship bracelets. To give the design an even more free-spirited vibe, each shoulder strap is finished off with two dangling, thinly braided strands that are then knotted, their ends left free and unencumbered for a tassel-like effect.
