The 14 Best Totes to Look More Like a Beach Babe Than a Beach Bum

Don't worry, most of our picks are under $200

Beach bags, especially in the era of social media (and especially Instagram), present a certain problem. It’s fun to look cute at the beach, especially if you’re going to take a few photos, and it’s fun to shop for beach stuff because much of it is so adorable and colorful. Going to the beach is an often-intense outdoor activity, though, and sun, wind and water can make it feel unwise to spend too much money on anything that’s making a trip out to the sand with you. My guess is that, for most bag lovers, we’re okay spending a little bit on a beach or pool bag, but not too much.

Lots of top-tier designers make beach bags, but they mostly seem to be aimed at people for whom $1,000 feels like a hundred bucks does to most of us. And if you want to spend that much on a beach bag, you’ll hear no quarrel from me (and you’ll find several options below). If not, though, we’re in a boom time for cute woven bags, including plenty that will look just as good away from the water.

Since we’re now in high summer, the need for a beach bag is more pronounced in many people’s lives, and personally I hope to be using mine in the near future. If yours needs updating, check out some of our favorites in a range of prices below.