Quelle horreur! That last minute booking for a trip 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 fair 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 obviously) – but a chic beach bag is always a good idea.
READ: 7 cute beach outfit trends to wear this summer
MORE: 9 stylish pairs of closed-toe sandals to see you through this season
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.
MORE: The best designer slides to add to cart now
READ: 20 fashion trends to have on your radar in 2023
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.
Hello! Fashion shares the best designer beach bags to accompany you on your travels:
Like this story? Sign up to our HELLO! Edit newsletter to get other shopping stories delivered straight to your inbox.
HELLO!'s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. HELLO! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. To find out more visit our FAQ page.