In the serious seasons (aka fall & winter), I’m never really sure what bag I’m going to be carrying. There’s an expectation that an outfit is more of An Outfit, and The Bag is part of a cohesive whole. Summer, however? A totally different sport! Once the temps climb, my bag personality goes full-on vacation mode: woven, playful, a little bit quirky. Bonus points if the bag looks vaguely like something I could use to pot a plant. So whether I’m schlepping a giant beach tote or grabbing a clutch for sunset drinks, the common denominator for me is texture – raffia, net, crochet, straw. Jane Birkin called it, decades ago: a straw bag really does look good with everything.
There are two bags, in particular, that I’ve been carrying for almost a decade: Clare V.’s Pot de Miel is one (see, “5 Years Later, This Bag Is Still Worth It” written in 2022!!) and Clare V’s Sandy Tote is the other. I’ve been so happy with both of these bags that they’ve basically ruined me for all other summer bags. (The Sandy Tote, in particular, is amazing for travel, too. And washes/dries beautifully.)
The 12 Best Everyday Bags For Summer (Says Me)
Still, June has me scrolling—and not just for novelties. I pulled together a shortlist of twelve bags: a mix of long-time workhorses I already swear by and a few fresh finds that are making my heart beat fast. None of these bags are precious – they’re intended to be used, worn with everything, in all situations, and all hit those Jane Birkin, cool-kid summer vibes.
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1| Mansur Gavriel Pascucci Bag
Mansur Gavriel’s limited-edition Pascucci Tote is, technically, a collector’s piece: the Italian canvas is hand-stamped in Pascucci’s centuries-old workshop, finished with vegetable-tanned leather handles, and each bag is individually numbered. But it’s still a big ‘ol canvas tote (fits a 16″ laptop), albeit a really freaking cool one. Despite the collector’s item status, this bag should be used – it’ll only get better and better with wear. This is the one that is currently haunting my dreams. Also in blue stripe.
2| Clare V. Grande Fanny
I have this one in pink, and it’s perfect for going hands-free, especially in the summer. I like the oversized shape (I can fit a ton of stuff inside), and the fully adjustable, leather strap. It’s a far cry from those Lululemon belt bags, and I realllllllly love the neutral tone of this one (especially with the tiny little pops of color). Just so darn chic.
3| Lonchamp Le Roseau Denim Bucket Bag
I swear by denim bags (I’ve had a See by Chloe one longer than even my Pot De Miel) because they always seem to feel fresh & unexpected. Denim bags truly are timeless, and this Longchamp one happens to be sooooo pretty, too.
4| Clare V. Pot De Miel
People always ask me if stuff falls out of this bag and the answer is…never. The shape is brilliant, I get complements every time I carry it, it looks good in EVERY situation/outfit, and it holds a TON of stuff. The only downside to this bag is that it doesn’t pack into a suitcase very well. That said…it’s still one of my most-worn bags, at least 8 years running.
5| Sezane Justine Basket Bag
This bag comes in bunch of different options – plain straw, with various leather handle colors, different embroidery – and I honestly like them all! This bag is a perfect shape for tossing over your shoulder, yet there’s multiple straps (that easily fold away) so you can also carry this bag by hand, too. But the best part is that there’s an interior drawstring pocket to secure valuables. So if you’ve been eying the Pot De Miel but were pausing because of that open design…this is a solid compromise.
6| Naghedi St. Barths Large Tote Bag
If you’re looking for a beach bag that is lightweight, packable and also indestructible…voila! And while those handles look narrow, they’re designed to stretch a little over time, so you can, actually, carry this bag over your shoulder. This one comes in a zillion colors (I, of course, own the taupe – it’s called “cashmere” if that makes you feel better).
7| Naghedi Tulum Large Tote Bag
This is basically the same bag, but with quirky tasseled handles. Linz brought this to the beach this past weekend, and it’s so stinking cute. Also happens to be on sale (in two colors!), so there’s that.
8| Naghedi St. Barths Petit Tote Bag
Ok so the taupe (“cashmere”) was so good that I ended up buying the mini version last summer, too. It packs flat in a suitcase (all Naghedi bags do, actually), but I especially love how this one can be carried as a day bag or a nighttime clutch (I will sometimes thread one handle through the other – like this – which helps in high pick-pocket areas).
9| Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote
This is the lightweight nylon tote I throw into every suitcase. In a pinch, it’s been a beach bag, a shopping tote, a wet laundry bag, a carry-on, a farmer’s market tote, and a toiletries case. While it’s not sexy, it is MUCH chicer in person than it looks online, which is part of the reason it’s so darn useful.
10| Cult Gaia Zuma Top Handle Bag
Cult Gaia designs are sooooo much more stunning in person than they look online, and this bag is at the very top of my lust list. There’s something about the vintage-inspired shape combined with the summer-ready woven detail that has me swooning, hard.
11| Loeffler Randall Valerie Raffia Bow Shoulder Bag
There is only one way I like my bows and that is OVERSIZED. This playful bag is almost…flirty? Gahhhh I love it. (Also in pink or black – both on sale! – if interested.)
12| Clare V. Sandy Bag
I can’t say enough good things about this bag: it’s one of my most-worn, looks cool with every outfit, and packs easily into a suitcase. Mine had gotten a little grubby from years of use, so I recently threw it into the wash and it came out just as good as before. If I had to point to one bag that’s the biggest no-brainer on the list….it’s this one.
13| Bembien Francois Tote
Bembien (also at Anthro in blue stripe)
I have been stalking Bembien for years – their designs are special, and this one, Bembien’s Françoise Tote is a good example of why. It’s hand-woven (raffia), with real leather straps and a leather base so it’ll keep it’s shape. I also love the generous size, and the whole thing just channels some [she waves hands, vaguely] vintage-Riviera energy, too.
xo,
S
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