If there's one thing I love about summer dressing it's the ease and effortlessness that comes with it, and I want my handbag to reflect that.
Something relaxed, maybe even with a vacation-adjacent feel. When I think of summer bags, I think raffia and woven textures, canvas or warm leather tones— things that have an innate practicality about them, or on the other hand, bags that are a little more fun and ornate than the neutral bags of fall and winter.
I'm sharing some of the best summer bags I've found lately, and also some from my personal collection that have served me well over the years.
As I looked back on the bags I've reached for most over the last few summer seasons— and see myself carrying for many more to come— there were a few clear winners.
The same three bags kept coming up across the last three years and have had me covered through an impressive variety of occasions and settings— day to night, city to vacation, errands to travel, beach to dinner.
1. The Raffia Bag
The raffia bag, a warm weather classic! I bought this one a few years ago in Amagansett and it's been serving me very well ever since. And while I never go on a beach vacation without it, I also love to wear it in the city in (my attempt at) a Jane Birkin kind of way.
2. The Woven Leather Bag
This bag was the gateway for my love of woven leather bags and is still my most worn. It transitions seamlessly from day to night and is a great bag to travel with because of the way it lays entirely flat. Similar to the raffia bag, I love the textural interest a woven bag adds to an outfit. I have a similar one in black from St Agni that I wear almost just as much. I can't find it anywhere on the internet anymore, but this would be the perfect alternative.
3. The Canvas Bag
I’m a sucker for a canvas bag. I love how utilitarian they feel. The Boat and Tote is a widely beloved bag for a reason, and it's the one I get the most use out of. Pilates, drop off at the dry cleaners, market runs, trips to the country, and even out to dinner— the canvas bag can cover a lot of ground.
These three are a great starting point for building a summer bag collection but there are plenty more options that have caught my eye and scream summer to me.
Evening Bags
Canvas Bags
Summer Leather
Woven Bags
That’s all for now!
Anna x