The Best Beach Bags For Vacations And Beyond

When it comes to vacation packing, a beach bag is a must-have addition to your luggage. Look for a size that will hold all your getaway essentials, plus a fabric that’s perfect for summer – think raffia, crochet or canvas – then style it with everything from kaftans and floaty white dresses to a bold bikini and denim cut-offs. But the beauty of the smartest picks lies in their closet longevity beyond beach-and-pool attire. Thoughtful details and elegant finishes ensure designs will work day-to-day, too, hitting refresh on tailoring or adding a warm-weather note to classic denim.

Basket-style designs have a timeless appeal and exude a covetable Jane Birkin-esque French-girl insouciance. Look first to power brands that have taken the humble beach style and revamped it with low-key-luxe finishes and polished details. Saint Laurent’s ‘Panier’ tote is a perfect example, with its classic basket silhouette amped up with gleaming gold hardware and sleek dark-brown leather straps. Alternatively, if you can’t resist a touch of colour, Aquazzura’s vibrant ‘Sicily’ tote is the style for you. Exclusive to NET-A-PORTER, it comes in bold sunshine yellow and is embellished with summery beads.

Looking for something a little more polished? Loewe’s compact ‘Font’ tote is crafted from structured canvas-jacquard and outlined in leather, making it a smart choice for the office. Plus, it comes with an optional strap for days when you have more to carry.

For totes that will look just as at home in the city as they will at the beach, consider styles by Chloé and Loewe. The Spanish brand’s raffia ‘Puzzle Fold’ tote from its latest collaboration with Paula’s Ibiza is updated in a bold striped design that complements its origami-inspired silhouette. Meanwhile, Versace’s version is decorated with orange leather appliqués and the brand’s iconic Medusa emblem – a detail sure to catch the attention of those in the know.

Whether you’re heading to the beach, boarding a flight or escaping to the countryside for the weekend, Rue de Verneuil’s ‘St Paul’ tote will fit everything you need. Inspired by American tool bags from the ’50s, it’s crafted from robust canvas and comes in a canary-yellow shade that will be easy to spot in the luggage hold. Elsewhere, Dragon Diffusion’s ‘Grace’ tote is the perfect day-to-night style. Woven by hand from supple leather, it has space inside for your latest holiday read, sunglasses case and a pareo.