In the same way that a bikini or one-piece swimsuit is a highly considered purchase, your hunt for the best beach bags should also be given the same time and attention, so that you end up with something that will see you through many years of holidays. Accessories maketh an outfit, after all.
The days when you’d retrieve a misshapen and sand-filled beach bag from the depths of your wardrobe, seconds before you leave for the airport, are long gone. Now, beach bags are your trusty sunshine sidekick and in recent years raffia bags have become cult items you can wear at home too.
Designer brands have made beach bags the new investment piece, with the Loewe basket bag and the Prada raffia tote bag all but taking over our social media feeds, proving that they work just as well in the city as they do poolside.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C5iIIrBoBMb/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=8&wp=704&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.glamourmagazine.co.uk&rp=%2Fgallery%2Fbeach-bags#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A2620%2C%22ls%22%3A1452.5999999996275%2C%22le%22%3A2591.4000000003725%7D
So whether you’re making a beeline for the airport or heading off on a British weekend break, your spring/summer looks won’t be complete without a summer bag in tow. Luckily, there are plenty of stylish designs doing the rounds right now that’ll take you from the check-in gate, to the beach, to bar and back again.
For 2024, raffia, bamboo and canvas styles remain big news, while Dragon Diffusion’s woven leather is also beautiful for sun-drenched holidays. Loewe’s basket bags are still going strong, and the latest collaboration with Paula’s Ibiza sees the house’s iconic It-bags, such as the Puzzle and the Puzzle Fold, receive a raffia treatment. Saint Laurent’s Rive Gauche tote is what Rosie Huntington-Whiteley takes with her to the Amalfi Coast, and has enough space for valuables like your book, sandals, sun cream/sunscreen/SPF, a spare T-shirt and possibly even your kitchen sink.
WATCHBridgerton’s cast play GLAMOUR’s Bestie Test
ADVERTISEMENT
There are some equally chic beach bags over on the high street, too, which look endlessly more expensive than their accessible price tags would suggest. Need proof? Marks & Spencer’s square-shaped basket bag has us dreaming of a vacation to the Amalfi coast, while H&M’s jute-blend shopper looks ten times its price.
Want to prepare for summer even more? We’ve got tonnes of swimwear guides, including all the best crinkle swimsuits from the hottest swimwear brands. Plus, all the summer dresses, and beach essentials you’ll need for the warm weather ahead.
Here are the best beach bags to shop now, before the end of summer.
Carryall Beach BagsMega Jute Tote BagWhy we love it: This is a beach bag for those who don’t travel lightly, as it will quite literally fit half of your suitcase in it. The colour-blocking effect, which starts with a rust-hued base, gives this a striking design that will look beautiful styled with neutral and brown shades. But be warned – all of your travel companions will want to put their things in your colossal bag.Dimensions: N/A.Save when you shop for the best beach bags with these Free People discount codes at checkout.£88 AT FREE PEOPLE
Roomy Beach Bags For All Your Beach AccessoriesJacquard-Weave ShopperWhy we love it: If you’re looking to implement those rustic interior vibes that are everywhere at the moment into your fashion repertoire, look no further than this tassel bag. It’ll fit all seven of those books you’ve ambitiously bought to read on your holiday. It is crafted from a cotton jacquard weave and the lining gives it a polished finish.Dimensions: N/A.Save when you shop for the best beach bags with these H&M discount codes at checkout.£24.99 AT H&M
Best Bag For Beach DayLoewe Small Leather-Trimmed Woven Raffia ToteWhy we love it: The OG Loewe basket bag that, subsequently, made us fall in love with every other raffia offering from the Spanish luxury brand. It is crafted from raffia with tan leather straps and a logo-embossed patch on the front of the bag. Given most designer bags cost thousands of pounds, this is a recognisable It-bag for under £400.Dimensions: W30 x H17.5 x D13.5cm.£395 AT NET-A-PORTER
Leather Beach BagsDragon Diffusion Nantucket Interwoven Leather Tote BagWhy we love it: I own a Dragon Diffusion bag and can vouch for how brilliant they are. Crafted from woven calf leather, they have the artisanal appeal of a raffia bag, but with a more polished finish that makes it a year-round classic.Dimensions: H25 x W33 x D14cm.Save when you shop for the best beach bags with these Farfetch discount codes at checkout.£503 AT FARFETCH
Most Popular
- WELLNESSHow to be a little less judgy, according to an expertBY ANNA BORGES
- HAIRWispy bangs are the easy, low-maintenance way to try a fringeBY DANIELLE SINAY
- LIFESTYLE33 hotels in the UK and Ireland we keep coming back toBY GEORGIA TRODD
ADVERTISEMENT
Bestseller Beach Tote BagsPrada Small Logo Raffia ToteWhy we love it: Chances are you’ve seen this Prada raffia tote all over your Instagram feed, as it is a celebrity favourite loved by Rosie Huntington-Whitely and Hailey Bieber. Prada’s open-weave totes comes in lots of colours, however this natural hue is a real classic.Dimensions: H37.5 x W36 x D4cm£1,500 AT MYTHERESA
Crossbody Bag For BeachStraw Shoulder BagWhy we love it: Although this is in many ways a relatively simple basket bag, the rectangular shape gives it more polish and structure than you’re typical beach bag. It also has a magnetic fastening and a zipped pocket, which will help you locate your room key and credit card at the end of a long day of lounging. Oh, and it’s less than £50.Dimensions: W32 x H26 x D12cm.Save when you shop for the best beach bags with these Marks & Spencer discount codes at checkout.£49.50 AT M&S
Best Beach ToteLoewe + Paula’s Ibiza Puzzle Fold Medium Convertible Leather-Trimmed Striped Raffia ToteWhy we love it: Ah Loewe has done it again with the latest collaboration with Paula’s Ibiza, which is the epitome of Mediterranean style. The ‘Puzzle Fold’ is a much-loved Loewe bag, which is updated in panels of striped raffia which is hand woven. Like all Puzzle Fold bags, you can pack it down into a neat square along the origami-inspired creases. It’ll make any beach outfit 10x cooler.Dimensions: W37 x H33 x D13cm.Save when you shop for the best beach bags with these Net-A-Porter discount codes at checkout.£1,450 AT NET-A-PORTER
Large Beach Bags/Travel BagsRive Gauche Raffia Tote BagWhy we love it: When it comes to designer beach bags, the Saint Laurent Rive Gauche lines are some of the most iconic. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley loves the canvas style, while we love this year’s raffia version, which has the logo embroidered into the body of the bag. You’ll look like you’ve just strolled out of the Hotel du Cap.Dimensions: H35 x W39 x D15cm£1,440 AT MYTHERESA
Most Popular
- WELLNESSHow to be a little less judgy, according to an expertBY ANNA BORGES
- HAIRWispy bangs are the easy, low-maintenance way to try a fringeBY DANIELLE SINAY
- LIFESTYLE33 hotels in the UK and Ireland we keep coming back toBY GEORGIA TRODD
ADVERTISEMENT
Best Beach Bags To Use Every DayMini Sling BagWhy we love it: The colour! Need we say any more? The spherical shape makes this bag really striking, while the zipped pocket means you can keep all your valuables safe without fear of anything dropping in the sea. It is also available in black, however this lime shade is really special and will add a zesty punch to any summer look.Dimensions: W23.5 x H29.5x D11cm.£65 AT COS
Stripe Beach BagsSensi Studio Canasta Leather-Trimmed Striped Straw ToteWhy we love it: This tote bag is handcrafted from Andean artisans and is woven with beige and black straw, with elegant tan leather handles. It’s smart enough to wear with all your summer outfits and not just for the beach. The bag has two handles, with one long shoulder strap and one shorter so you can carry it as a top-handle bag. Although it is a practical poolside companion that will house multiple bottles of suncream and bags of Lays.Dimensions: W31 x H24 x D16cm.£310 AT NET-A-PORTER
Twin Handle Beach BagsMaxi Justine BasketWhy we love it: This Sezane bag has us dreaming of the French Riviera. It is crafted in a workshop in Madagascar with hand-woven raffia, with vegetable-tanned bovine leather straps. We love this blue and cream iteration, but it is also available in colourful rainbow stripes.Dimensions: W60 x H32 x D20cm.£320 AT SEZANE
Best Cotton Canvas Beach BagRue de Verneuil St Paul Tool Extra Large Leather And Webbing-Trimmed Canvas ToteWhy we love it: This canvas tote bag is modelled on the American ‘tool bags’ from the ’50s, and so it has a nostalgic, preppy charm. It is designed to be a sturdy tote that can carry lots of weight, as it is made from durable canvas and has strong webbing handles. There is also a discreet pouch on the front of the bag.Dimensions: W64 x H41 x D19cm.£260 AT NET-A-PORTER
Most Popular
- WELLNESSHow to be a little less judgy, according to an expertBY ANNA BORGES
- HAIRWispy bangs are the easy, low-maintenance way to try a fringeBY DANIELLE SINAY
- LIFESTYLE33 hotels in the UK and Ireland we keep coming back toBY GEORGIA TRODD
ADVERTISEMENT
Best Bag For Boujie Beach TripLoewe + Paula’s Ibiza Medium Embroidered Striped Raffia ToteWhy we love it: Loewe’s long-standing collaboration with Paula’s Ibiza always delivers summer vibes, and this striped raffia version of the house’s current beach bag du jour is bound to be all over Instagram this year. It’s big enough to fit all of your beach supplies, but will be perfect for summer weekends at home too.Dimensions: H25 x W30 x D15cm.£1,400 AT NET-A-PORTER
Best Crochet Beach BagsNatural Fibre Shopper BagWhy we love it: Just looking at this bag has us dreaming of long rose-fuelled lunches in Ibiza. The loose knit weave has a Balearic charm, while the inside lining has a zipper which makes it practical for city breaks as your belongings will feel more securely tucked away. We almost can’t believe it’s a high street find, and not something sourced in a local market in the Med.Dimensions: W6.3 x H12.99 x D12.99in.Save when you shop for the best beach bags with these Mango discount codes at checkout.£49.99 AT MANGO
Best Carry On Beach BagsSaint Laurent Panier Leather-Trimmed Raffia ToteWhy we love it: Because it’ll see us from summer through to winter – and that makes this beach bag a winner for us. This ‘Panier’ tote has us dreaming of Provence, as the Parisian house has put its own spin on the woven bags that you see all over the Riviera.Dimensions: W42 x H27 x D27cm.£1,045 AT NET-A-PORTER
Water-Resistant Beach Bags For Carrying Beach TowelsSt. Agni Wide Bagu Woven Leather Tote BagWhy we love it: This Australian label, loved by the likes of Kendall Jenner, creates elevated, minimalist pieces, however just because the designs are simple doesn’t mean the craftsmanship isn’t impeccable. This bag is hand-woven to give a textured, crafty look, while the leather is vegetable dyed.Dimensions: H35 x W50cm£593 AT MODA OPERANDI
Most Popular
- WELLNESSHow to be a little less judgy, according to an expertBY ANNA BORGES
- HAIRWispy bangs are the easy, low-maintenance way to try a fringeBY DANIELLE SINAY
- LIFESTYLE33 hotels in the UK and Ireland we keep coming back toBY GEORGIA TRODD
ADVERTISEMENT
Best Beachy Bag For Boho BeachgoersNatural Raffia Jude BasketWhy we love it: Boho vibes all summer long, please! Basket bags will always be associated with French style and so it’s not surprising that Parisian favourite Sezane is loved for its woven totes. Crafted in the Madagascar atelier, the circular shape makes this really distinctive.Dimensions: W37 x H44 x D35cm.£195 AT SEZANE
Best Straw Beach BagsLoewe Shell Small Leather-Trimmed Raffia ToteWhy we love it: This is another cult raffia bag from Loewe. Wear this beach bag with a bikini from one of the best swimwear brands and bare feet. Our favourite detail? The monogram logo charm that hangs from the handle. The fine straps also create an elegant silhouette.Dimensions: W47 x H22 x D13cm.£450 AT NET-A-PORTER
Simple Beach BagsSoft Raffia ToteWhy we love it: This tote bag is big enough to house all of your beach essentials, however the thick straps ensure it will be comfortable to carry as you have an afternoon exploring. It is made from hand-woven raffia, and although it is available in several colours, this deep chocolate shade feels the most luxurious. There is also an inner cotton pouch to keep your belongings neatly stored away.Dimensions: H33 x W17.5cm.£150 AT ME+EM