Quelle horreur! Picture the scene: that last minute booking to the French Riviera, certainly sounded like a great idea at the time, but after sifting through your holiday wardrobe you've just discovered that you are missing one crucial item off your packing list: a stylish beach bag.
Admittedly, there are items that could well be considered more 'essential' to your trip abroad.
Fair enough, you're not going to make it very far without your passport and obviously SPF should rank pretty high up on your list (we're not in the mood for lobster, unless it's on the menu), but a chic beach bag is worth its weight in holiday gold.
MORE: Best designer sunglasses to add to your summer accessory arsenal
For starters, any holiday involving sun and sea is bound to require intense preparation. If you're spending a whole day on the beach, you'll need sunglasses, towels, a floaty cover up, a camera, a water bottle, three novels and enough euros for a pint of ice cream – the list goes on.
And if you've gone away with friends, don't get me started. The devil works hard, but the mum of the group works harder. Think plasters, after sun and an enormous spare hat.
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READ: Best holiday dresses to give your summer wardrobe a stylish boost
Unfortunately, slimming down your packing to accommodate the latest (ungenerous) carry-on restrictions feels like a must in this day's economy – no one wants to face the utter mortification of getting caught out at the front of the boarding queue.
But let's just say, there are other ways of cutting corners. Leave your hairdryer at home if you must, rather a beach bag is the ultimate seascape accessory.
How we chose:
- Style and beach-appropriate: When combing through the internet's top fashion sites for the best beach bags, we made sure that each of our picks were spacious, chic and lent themselves to a beach setting.
- Brand: The picks we've highlighted below are all by designer labels, ideal if you're looking to treat yourself to a slice of summer luxury.
Hello! Fashion shares the best designer beach bags for easy-breezy summer chic:
Best Designer Beach Bags
Raffia Tote Bag
Over the past few summers, Prada's It-bag has dominated our feeds. Now something of a modern classic, the tote has crept back onto our wish list for SS24. This pistachio colourway feels super versatile, and the attention to detail with the embroidered lettering is really first-rate.
Small Leather-Trimmed Woven Raffia Tote
Loewe x Paula's Ibiza
Designed in partnership with Paula's Ibiza, this raffia tote by Loewe is great if your beachside vibe is more structured rather than slouchy. I love the strength and intricacy of the weave and the luxe-looking tan leather accents, especially in the emblem overlay.
Enya Leather-Trimmed Raffia Bucket Bag
Cult Gaia
This piece by Cult Gaia is a little on the smaller side in comparison to the rest of my other choices, but it deserves a spot because the spherical shape gives it a striking, sculptural feel. The main body is woven from raffia, and I love the round leather rim. It also looks rather like Winnie the Pooh's honey pot. I can't unsee it.
Sophie Mini Canvas-Trim Woven Basket Bag
Muuñ
Muuñ's 'Sophie' bag, created from cream canvas and straw, is just so sweet, great if you like accessories with a flair of romance. I think it would look great alongside a fitted floral midi and espadrilles for a pretty, summery look.
Fontana Tasseled Straw Tote
Catarina Mina
Playful and punchy, this straw tote by Catarina Mina pays tribute to one of the hottest hues of the season. Red takes centre stage, and I love the tactile tassel element and the structured top handles.
Rainbow Raffia Tote Bag
Mehry Mu
Created from handwoven raffia, Mehry Mu's joy-inducing tote is the ultimate beach 'fit accompaniment if you're after a splash of colour. The stripe detailing is super cute and the beading would look even more radiant against the backdrop of glowy skin.
Castell Leather And Raffia Tote Bag
Hereu
Minimalists will love the timeless appeal of Hereu's 'Castell' design. Crafted in Spain, the woven raffia piece features an elegant shape and leather-trimmed top handles. Team alongside an easy-breezy babydoll and padded slides.
Small Kendra Shopper
Dolce & Gabbana's 'Kendall' shopper is vibrant and categorically standout - just what you need to kick off your holiday with a bang. The label's monogram is the central feature, but I just adore the updated version of its 'Carretto' print in scarf form, wrapped around the top handles.
Avenue Raffia Tote Bag
Jimmy Choo
Created in Italy, this piece by Jimmy Choo is perfect for those lazy, balmy afternoons when all you want to do is inhale a novel beside the water. I love the vividness of the pink against the cornflower blue and think it would work great alongside an airy linen shirt.
Apres La Vague Bag
Designed by Quentin Monge, this beach bag by Hermès is cut from 100% cotton. The screen-printed graphic is beautiful, infused with an air of nostalgia. The fabric has water-repellant properties, and so it's ideal for a beach excursion.
Why you should trust me:
Orin Carlin is Hello! Fashion’s SEO Content Writer. Promising to leave no stone unturned in the name of fashion and beauty journalism, she is the proud creator of our ‘Try The Trend’ series. With a particular interest in formula innovation, microtrends, royal and bridal beauty, perfume, rituals, treatments, fashion history and vintage icons, she can either be found interviewing major industry names (previous subjects include Georgia May Jagger, Mary Greenwell and Sam McKnight) or scouring the internet for must-have pieces. It's not just a job; it's a personal quest to unearth noteworthy pieces that resonate with style and beauty enthusiasts.
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