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

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.

Aranaz Ikat Straw Tote Bag
$388 via Anthropologie

Giselle Juliette Bandana Tote
$122 via Shopbop

Giselle Lola Straw Tote
$150 via Shopbop

Gucci Linea Cestino Tote
$1,290 via Net-a-Porter

Hat Attack Afternoon Bag
$112 via Shopbop

Mar Y Sol Capri Tote
$129 via Shopbop

Nordstrom Toucan Raffiat Tote
$44 via Nordstrom

Prada PVC Tote
$1,040 via Nordstrom

Rachel Comey Milo Tote
$358 via Anthropologie

Rebecca Minkoff Straw Tote
$195 via Shopbop

Soeur Du Maroc Ole Rosé Tote
$155 via Shopbop

Sophie Anderson Jonas Tote Bag
$465 via Shopbop

Yosuzi Kalinda Tote
$450 via Shopbop

Zimmerman Beach Bag
$295 via Shopbop