We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Fashion Accessories Bags The 12 Best Straw Bags to Take With You on Every Adventure Channel your inner Jane Birkin with picks from Terrain, L*Space, and Saint Laurent. By Caitlyn Martyn Caitlyn Martyn Caitlyn Martyn is responsible for writing tested product recommendations and reviews InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on February 24, 2023 @ 02:10PM In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews What to Keep in Mind Your Questions, Answered Why Shop With Us InStyle / Jaclyn Mastropasqua It's a fact: a good straw bag is a summer staple. Whether you're headed to a tropical island or just running to your local farmer's market, there's no better companion than a straw bag. Often made from straw, raffia, or rattan, these bags have been around for decades. French singer Jane Birkin toted wicker baskets throughout the 1960s, turning straw bags into a summer mainstay. Stylist Victoria Barbara tells InStyle that it's all thanks to the bag's versatility. "If Birkin can don a shimmering black and gold cocktail dress at a Cannes fete with a straw bag on one arm and a tuxedo-clad date on another, anything goes," she explained. Although the premise of a classic straw bag has remained the same over the years, the styles available now are a little more fun and practical (think: bright colors, innovative designs, and functional details). There are a ton of straw bags out there — from bucket-shaped shoppers to extra-large totes — so weaving through the options can be a bit tricky. To help you out, I spoke with stylists and fellow editors, as well as used my own first-hand experience to compile a list of the best straw bags. Read on for each one you'll want to take with you on all of your adventures. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Terrain Terrain Leather Market Tote at Anthropologie ($88) Jump to Review Best Budget: QTKJ Rattan Straw Bag at Amazon ($30) Jump to Review Best Splurge: Anine Bing Anine Bing Rio Tote at Aninebing.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Designer: Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Raffia Tote Bag at Neiman Marcus ($1,298) Jump to Review Best Beach: Mar Y Sol Amara Tote at Shopbop.com ($118) Jump to Review Best Bucket: AAKS Tia Blush Bag at Madewell.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Picnic: Hat Attack Hat Attack Straw Tote at Hatattack.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best for Travel: Hat Attack Straw Traveler Bag at Revolve ($198) Jump to Review Best Crossbody: Club Monaco Club Monaco Raffia Crossbody Bag at Clubmonaco.com ($59) Jump to Review Best Monogrammable: Mark & Graham Palm Leaf Tote at Markandgraham.com ($60) Jump to Review Best Overall Terrain Terrain Leather Market Tote Anthropologie View On Anthropologie $88 What We Love Made with sustainable Moroccan date palm leaves, this bag is an eco-conscious choice. What We Don't Love The bag can get misshapen if it gets wet. Of course, the ideal straw bag will feature a timeless look and last for years, even through standard wear and tear. Stylist Brittany Diego tells us to focus on the stitching and straps when considering a straw bag. "You want to aim for elevated materials, not just for practicality and functionality, but for an overall chic look that will stand up to the test of time," she says. And this market tote from Terrain checks all those boxes. Made from sustainable Moroccan date palm leaves and equipped with strong leather handles held together with heavy-duty white stitching, you'll never have to worry about this bag falling apart. Keep in mind: Palm leaves can get misshapen when wet, so if you need to clean the bag, we suggest spot-treating a small area and laying it out to dry in the sun. Material: Palm, leather | Colors: 1 | Dimensions: 14 H x 20 W x 5 D inches Best Budget QTKJ Rattan Straw Bag Amazon View On Amazon $30 What We Love This handbag comes in a variety of seven fun colors. What We Don't Love Compared to the other options on this list, this one is much smaller. A straw bag doesn't have to be giant — according to Diego, a small straw purse will still capture the essence of the coastal grandmother look but in a more polished way. "A slouchy, oversized tote or shopper screams beach day, but a structured style like a crossbody or handbag looks much more refined," she says. I discovered this mini rattan purse on Amazon for less than $30. The rounded design includes a detachable crossbody strap and a rattan circle handle, giving you added versatility. And speaking of, the bag, which has an inner cotton lining that closes shut, comes in seven colors, ranging from classics like khaki and white to poppier shades like tangerine and turquoise. Material: Rattan, straw | Number of Colors: 7 | Size: 6.29 L x 9.84 W inches Best Splurge Anine Bing Anine Bing Rio Tote Anine Bing View On Aninebing.com View On Shopbop.com $450 View On Orchardmile.com What We Love This luxe tote has a flat, sturdy bottom, unlike many of the options on this list. What We Don't Love There are no zippers, snaps, or magnets to keep the bag closed. To distinguish your bag from any run-of-the-mill beach tote, Diego says that details like embellishments, unique hardware, and dark finishes are key. With its minimalistic black leather straps, modern monogram and luxe woven seagrass body, the XL Rio Tote from Anine Bing belongs with heels as much as flip flops. After taking the bag (which was kindly gifted to me by the brand) on a weekend trip to the beach, I quickly learned just how many outfits it works with — a white button-down, a cover-up, or a satin dress. And it complemented each one. The sleek black touches gave it a more elevated feel for nighttime, while the woven texture of the bag itself felt right for a boating day. One note: The bag doesn't close, but because it's so deep, you don't run the risk of your valuables falling out. And, best of all, the bag has a flat bottom that helps it stand up when you set it down. Material: Woven seagrass, leather | Number of Colors: 1 | Size: 16.1 L x 19.3 W inches Best Designer Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Raffia Tote Bag View On Neiman Marcus $1,298 What We Love The thicker, leather handles will be comfortable to hold for a full day out. What We Don't Love We wish it had a lining or pocket inside. Designer items can be tricky. Sure, you want the logo to be visible, but too bold of a logo can verge on, well, tacky, too. That's why we appreciate this simple, yet sophisticated tote from Saint Laurent, which features the classic Rive Gauche logo embroidered on the front of the raffia material with Saint Laurent mentioned subtly below. The black piping around the edges frames the logo perfectly and adds an additional edgy visual element to the bag that a plain straw bag doesn't have. We love the leather handles, too, because they will certainly be more comfortable to hold for long days out. It also looks a touch more upscale than if the bag were to be completely made of raffia. We just wish the brand installed a lining inside the bag to protect the raffia from potentially getting damaged and added a lining for our valuables. But those are easy to look past, especially because it has a snap closure to keep everything shut inside. Material: Raffia, leather | Number of Colors: 1 | Size: 14.2 H x 18.9 W x 6.3 D inches Best Beach Mar Y Sol Amara Tote View On Shopbop.com $118 What We Love Purchasing this tote supports artisans in Madagascar and promotes environmental conservation. What We Don't Love The snap closure isn't as sturdy as we would like. Designed with a roomy interior to carry all of your essentials, the Mar Y Sol bag, which comes in classic raffia, brown, and black, deserves a place on your shoulder no matter the situation — and especially to the beach. Although the bag itself is somewhat large, the strong rounded handles ensure a comfortable fit, even when it's chock full of items. It isn't lined nor does it come with a sturdy closure. But that's nothing to worry about since the bag has a flat bottom that ensures it stands up on its own. According to the brand, the sale of this bag supports artisans and their families in gaining economic independence in Madagascar, preserves traditional craft, and promotes environmental conservation. Between the bag's high-quality material and the brand's emphasis on sustainability, you'll want to pick up a tote in every color. Material: Raffia | Number of Colors: 1 | Size: 13 H x 23.5 L x 8.75 D inches Best Bucket AAKS Tia Blush Bag View On Madewell.com View On Aaksonline.com $201 What We Love The colored raffia bags are ethically made in Ghana by female artisans. What We Don't Love The hand-dyed raffia material might require a pro's help with stain removal. Masterfully crafted in Ghana, AAKS bags prove that not only is weaving an art form, but it can be a sustainable alternative for the fashion world. The brand — a Black- and women-owned business that employs over 80 percent female artisans and ensures fair pay — crafts each uniquely shaped design from raffia palm trees, which are native to the tropical areas in Africa, and distinctively decorates every one in bright colors. The result: high-quality, ethically-made bags. This bucket bag has a spacious interior that's complete with a linen lining and drawstring closure, to carry all of your essentials. Material: Woven raffia | Number of Colors: 1 | Size: 11 H x 12 W inches Best Picnic Hat Attack Hat Attack Straw Tote Zappos View On Hatattack.com View On Shopbop.com What We Love This bag has an insulated interior to keep snacks and beverages cool. What We Don't Love It can be a little heavy. Forget everything you remember about your childhood lunchbox — The Straw Cooler Tote from Hat Attack proves you're never too old for a pre-packed, homemade boxed lunch. Between the chic vegan leather and wicker exterior and the insulated interior, this bag completely reinvents the traditional lunchbox and makes packing your lunch actually feel fashionable. It's also ideal for impromptu summer picnics. I filled the bag (which the brand kindly gifted me) with all the fixings for a charcuterie board — cheese, cured meats, fruit, and veggies — and brought it with me for an afternoon in the park. Even after the time it took me to walk to the park, find a spot, and lay down a picnic blanket, the perishables (and two cans of wine) stayed cool in the bag. To solidify its status as the perfect picnic companion, the luncher also comes with an interior pocket to hold a set of forks, knives, and spoons. Material: Corn straw, aluminum | Number of Colors: 1 | Size: 14.5 x 11 inches Best for Travel Hat Attack Straw Traveler Bag Hat Attack View On Revolve $198 View On Shopbop.com View On Hatattack.com $198 What We Love The crosshatch details double as a hat holder. What We Don't Love The material unravels if treated poorly. Don't have a packable sun hat? The Traveler Bag from Hat Attack makes it easy to bring a sun hat with you everywhere this summer. Complete with a built-in spot for your favorite hat, this raffia bag is a great option for travel. It rolls up when you're not using it, but is big enough to fit everything you need for a beach day — from a book to a change of clothes to a big towel. After being kindly gifted the bag, I fell in love with how sturdy the raffia material felt, while still being comfortable enough when sitting on my shoulder. One thing to note: the material can unravel a bit if you rough it up (like I accidentally did), so be gentle with it. Material: Raffia straw | Number of Colors: 1 | Size: 20 H x 14 W inches Best Crossbody Club Monaco Club Monaco Raffia Crossbody Bag Club Monaco View On Clubmonaco.com $59 What We Love You get the aesthetic of a straw bag with the functionality of a compact crossbody. What We Don't Love We wish the crossbody strap was thicker. The Club Monaco Raffia Convertible Crossbody Bag is a must for someone who's always juggling a million things thanks to the hands-free (albeit stylish) experience it offers. The pouch has enough room for a phone, wallet, and keys. As far as functionality goes, this one can't be beaten. It comes with a sewn-in canvas lining that ensures privacy, and when you want to change it up, the leather strap can be tucked inside the purse and converted into a handbag. Material: Raffia, leather | Number of Colors: 1 | Size: 7.75 H x 7.75 W x 2.625 D inches Best Monogrammable Mark & Graham Palm Leaf Tote Mark & Graham View On Markandgraham.com $60 What We Love The spacious tote comes fully lined with an additional pocket. What We Don't Love Personalization costs extra. We'd be lying if we said we weren't instantly attracted to monograms — who doesn't love their name on stuff? — and that's why we love Mark and Graham, which is known for its personalization capabilities. Choose between 19 different letter styles from traditional monograms to minimalist fonts and 26 different colors for your monogram. It will be stitched into the bag, too, so you'll never have to worry about it wearing away. Yes, the embroidered letters cost nearly $13 more, but for the novelty of it and the fact that you'll definitely have this bag for years on end, we think it's worth it. The bag also comes fully lined with an interior pocket and sturdy leather handles, so it's as functional as it is attractive. Material: Palm leaf, leather | Number of Colors: 1 | Size: 20 W x 8.5 D x 14 H inches Best Backpack L*Space Summer Days Backpack Revolve View On Amazon $130 View On Revolve $85 View On Sunandski.com What We Love While it's intended to be worn as a backpack, it features top handles, too, for versatility. What We Don't Love The straps can be adjusted by the buckle, which can be difficult to finagle. For the ultimate schleppers among us, we understand how much more functional a backpack can be compared to a heavy tote. But that doesn't mean you should miss out on the trend. Try this backpack from L*Space, which has a straw body with adjustable canvas shoulder straps. The linen-like lining pulls closed with a drawstring to keep everything enclosed inside, and the interior pocket features a zipper, too, to ensure your keys will never accidentally go missing again. Just be aware that the straps can only be adjusted by a buckle, which can sometimes be challenging to maneuver, especially in a pinch. We recommend finding your preferred fit before storing your things inside. Material: Straw, canvas, polyester | Number of Colors: 1 | Size: 16 W x 13.5 H x 6.5 D inches What to Keep in Mind Material When shopping for a straw bag, remember that the material matters — especially if you want your bag to last. To pick the right material, Diego suggests aiming for strong, durable options like raffia and rattan, both of which are made from types of palm leaves. With that said, it's important to know what your bag is made of in order to find out how to properly clean it and care for it. For example, bags made with raffia straw should be spot cleaned with a damp cloth and then left to dry in the sun to prevent mold growth. Style To pick the style best for you, stylist Makeda Saggau-Sackey tells us to consider the function of the bag first. "Choose a large tote if you tend to carry a lot of things in your bag," she says. "If you want something more elegant, look for bags with luxe elements. Colorful straw bags in fun shapes make accessorizing fun." She notes that while minimalism is having a moment, an oversized bag definitely makes a statement — especially if you add pops of color, a fun fringe, and embellishments into the mix. Details According to Diego, if you're seeking a bag to take you beyond beach days, look for bags with metal hardware and quality closures, like twist-locks or magnetic snaps, and dark finishes. She says that clues like the stitching of the lining can signify that it's high quality. If the seams look strong and wound tightly, chances are the bag will be more durable than one with loose stitching. Your Questions, Answered How can you style a straw bag? According to Diego, you can style a straw bag to elevate an outfit by keeping three things top of mind: size, structure, and color. "It's all about how the overall outfit is put together; for example, a black straw crossbody with a blazer and tailored shorts is a much different feel than a brown straw tote with a dress," she says. "But, some styles can be worn with anything from a classic, flowy summer dress to a traditionally professional piece like a blazer and trousers." Why Shop With Us Caitlyn Martyn is a former commerce writer for InStyle who currently writes for Byrdie. To find the perfect straw bag, she researched all the top items on the market, then tested a bunch of bags herself. On top of her own expertise, she also consulted stylists Makeda Saggau-Sackey, Brittany Diego, and Victoria Barbara for their favorite bags as well as advice on what to look for and how to style the bag.