Meet the best beach bags to brighten up your holiday wardrobe...
Whether you’re day tripping to Camber Sands or soaking in the rays on a stretch of Ibiza sand, a trusty chic beach bag is a must for any seaside retreat. You’ll need something to chuck your holiday wardrobe essentials in and there’s lots of stylish options at the moment that’ll keep you looking cute – and out of bag lady territory.
The natural texture trend is still going strong and you’ll see both the high street and luxury brands joining in the fun, with raffia, straw and bamboo totes and basket bags galore. The raffia and leather Loewe tote is undeniably the bag of the season – if you can get your hands on it – and we’ve been oohing and ahhing over French Connection and Sophie Anderson’s beach bags with pom poms. While Cult Gaia’s Ark will always be a favourite, we’re really feeling their new Stella style which is the statement tote beach bag to end all totes.
We’re still getting meshy with it and found a couple of mesh beach bag favourites in Mango and a £1 shopper bag from Amazon (yes, you read that right). For more practical gals, we’ve also rounded up beach bags with zippers courtesy of Kipling and waterproof beach bags from Cath Kidston and Pesaro.
Those with a tendency to overpack will be totally sorted with one of the larger beach bags on the list from Joules, madebywave and Monki, while the Instagram-conscious will fall in love with statement bags from Sumatra and ASOS Design. Sure they might not hold as much, but they’re cute as heck.
Looking for more summer fashion trend inspiration? Check out our other edits of the best sunglasses, summer sandals and high waist bikinis to get your sartorial juices flowing…
Beach Bags with Zipper
Kipling Art Lightweight Tote Bag
Kipling’s back with a retro line and we’re feeling this all white tote, which comes with a handy zipper to keep all your bits and pieces secure. It’s big enough to hold all your beachside essentials and super light to boot, which makes a huge difference when you’ve got your sunnies, towel, book, wallet, keys and other things to lug around…
Priced at £84, available at Kipling
Large Beach Bag
Joules Women’s Summer Beach Bag
It doesn’t get more beachy than this. This bag will carry everything you need and more, plus there’s a zip pocket to keep your cash and other key items safe. We’re mad about all the details: the nautical stripes, decking rope handles and the contrast blue embroidery are sure to put you in a sunny state of mind.
Priced at £14, available at TheHut.com
Basket Bags
Alani Palm Leaf Basket Bag
This may just take contender for one of our favourite basket bags ever. This beach bag with pom poms is a real fashionable find, plus it’s currently on sale which helps.
Priced at £52, available at French Connection,
Beach Bag Tote
The Basket Room Halima Sisal Yarn Tote Bag
This ultra colourful bag will jazz up any sundress or cover up and we love that it’s super roomy to boot. If you tend to overpack, the leather handle is a total lifesaver and sturdy enough to carry whatever you throw at it.
Priced at £60, available at Urban Outfitters
Designer Beach Bags
Loewe x Paula’s Ibiza Sand Raffia Tote
This silhouette is the most in-demand bag of the season and while the super popular brown leather version is sold out everywhere, we found this black colour way kicking about on Harvey Nichols. Better swoop in quick as they’re going like hotcakes.
Priced at £245, available at Harvey Nichols
Whatever your style, you’re sure to find something you adore. Shop the Marie Claire edit of the best beach bags available to buy right now…
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Cult Gaia Stella Large Tote, £306 at Moda Operandi
This elaborate straw bag has us going in circles and it'll definitely get you noticed on the beach in no time flat.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Monkey Embroidered Straw Tote Bag, £28 at Topshop
This fun basket tote gets a little upgrade with botanical embroidery and a few cheeky monkeys.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Banana Carryall Tote, £77 at Skipping Girl
This handwoven tote is a fun number that comes in three sizes, depending on how much seaside packing you need to do.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Ansa per Ansa Menorca Beach Bag, £46.92 at Amazon Fashion
Roll on the good times with this circle shaped bag, the ideal beach bag with pom poms.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Mesh Jute Bag, £39.99 at Mango
This ultra chic bag from Mango takes on the mesh trend elegantly, upgrading the simple silhouette with a ring handle.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
California Dreaming Beach Scene Hallie Bag, £178 at kate spade
California here we come, right back where we started from. This adorable tote with a super LA scene printed on it will help you channel Valley girl vibes, or at least make you want to rewatch The OC. CALIFORNIAAAA-
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Lucia Round Handle Straw Handbag, £165 at rae feather
Add a shock of colour to your beach bag with this fun piece, which comes with a drawstring enclosure to keep your valuables from falling out.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
The New Yorker Backpack, £145 at BB Robinson
Keep your hands free with this cute backpack, handmade from palm leaves. (P.S. you can switch up the colour of the tassel.)
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Pesaro Bag P2AS, £185 at Essentiel Antwerp
This bold shopper will hold it all and keep you looking fly to boot. With a plastic-fantastic spirit, it comes in two different colours if pink and green isn't your jam.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Sophie Andeson Gia Round Wicker Beach Bag, £150 at Harrods
Wicker bags are back baby and this fun blue take on it is one of our favourites.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Hannah Tropical Leaf Bag, £12 at boohoo
Botanicals? For summer? Groundbreaking. All jokes aside, we love this monstera-print bag that's oh-so-tropical.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
RETON Mesh Bag Organic Cotton Shopping Tote, £1.14 at Amazon
Our fashion editor Penny previously waxed lyrical about this ultra cute (and ultra affordable) bag. It's only £1, why not buy one in every colour?
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Tahiti Beach Bag, £225 at madebywave
Even if you don't have the dollar to shell out for Tahiti just yet, this sophisticated bag will have you channeling those seaside vibes till you get there.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Babes Against Bullshit Tote Bag, £6 at Nasty Gal
Perfect for the gal who needs a beach break after spending all week fighting the patriarchy.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Watermelons Beach Bag, £28 at Cath Kidston
This bag looks almost good enough to eat, plus it's waterproof - a godsend when you've got your wet swimmers and the ocean to deal with.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Nannacay Women’s Roge Multi Thread Cross Body Bag, £133 at Coggles
This straw bag is an absolute statement piece. Look a little closer, that rainbow shoulder strap is EVERYTHING.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
VALLCON Bow Detail Large Icon Bag, £40 at Ted Baker
This minimal tote from Ted Baker is made for the urban girl who needs a bag for every occasion.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
M’O Exclusive Donni Straw And Velvet Large Basket Bag, £204 at Moda Operandi
This handwoven bag bag gets a luxe upgrade with a jewel-toned velvet handle - plus, proceeds from this go towards charity.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Beach Please Tote Bag, £6.99 at F&F
This bright blue bag will tide you over till you actually reach the ocean and we're here for the sass.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Sumatra Rattan Bag, £52 at Anna + Nina
This hilarious little bag will put a smile on any face and was basically built for the quintessential beach 'gram.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Beach Bag, £25 at Monki
Talk about Hermione's bag - this striped oversized beauty will carry it all and the kitchen sink.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
ASOS Design Bamboo Square Boxy Clutch Bag, £35 at ASOS
This Japanese-inspired box clutch is an striking piece - don't be afraid to stand out.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Marlborough Tote Bag in Rainbow Canvas, £495 at Liberty London
Why stick to one colour when you can have all of them? This seashell-printed tote also plays to theme.
Click or tap to zoom into this image
Click or tap to zoom into this image
