The One Summer Tote Every Fashion Insider Carries

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When I think of the best raffia tote bags, I think of a street near my New York City apartment on an early July morning. This patch of sidewalk is a bus stop where passengers line up to get whisked away to the Hamptons, with an impressive array of designer luggage in tow. Their carry-ons are always topped by a beachy straw bag; this year, the crowd has an obvious preference for Loewe x Paula’s Ibiza totes.

This scene plays into the way I always used to think of styling straw bags (though I’ve never carried one in a swanky resort town). Raffia tote bags, with their intricately woven straw and braided leather handles, look and feel like a summer bag. When I sling mine over my shoulder, I’m usually dressed in a sleeveless linen dress and a summer sandal, and the temperature outside is north of 75 degrees.

But it’s time for a mindset shift. The best raffia totes can be carried well after beach bag season officially ends. “Even outside of my native Los Angeles where winters can still be spent on the beach, I have seen very chic women wear straw bags in rainy and cold Paris,” says Janessa Leone, whose namesake label specializes in handwoven straw hats and bags. “In fact, the material is better suited for rain than leather. It’s naturally waterproof and won’t get ruined when it’s wet.”

Raffia totes are functional, but they also have a casual ease that the designer says can work all year round. “Raffia is such a fun way to level up a staple wardrobe in a fresh way without looking like you’re trying too hard, ” Leone says. “There is the obvious oversized poplin shirt by the pool or sea, but I personally love wearing straw bags with structured blazers, perfect white tees, and jeans.”

It's a look we can wear now and well into the fall, even without luxury travel on the agenda. Ahead, shop the 16 best raffia tote bags for an effortless accessories upgrade wherever the year will take you.

Crochet Tote Bag

Prepare to see Prada's raffia tote everywhere for a third summer in a row. The pastel colors, distinctive triangle logo, and open crochet weave simply look like summer—and there are enough options to feel unique while dipping into a bona fide trend.

Dimensions: W 14.1" x H 14.9" x D 1"

Colors: Blue, Pink, Natural, White, Black, Yellow, Green

Ariel Straw Handbag

This design by Janessa Leoné has the precise year-round appeal its designer spoke about. The sustainably sourced and harvested raffia weave is complemented by a diagonal opening and contrasting black leather details—two features that I've personally found paired well with a black linen suit set as well as a floaty sundress. Inside, there's space for a phone, Kindle, wallet, and a bag of my beauty essentials.

Dimensions: W 11" x H 13.5" x D 5"

Color: Natural/Black leather

What reviewers are saying: "Love love love! Perfect for all my summer travels as well as will be excellent year round. Great shape and holds everything I carry on a daily basis."

Mar Y Sol for EILEEN FISHER Raffia Shopper Tote

This raffia tote has everyday bag potential from June until September, thanks to its roomy interior and a generously long handle that makes carrying it a breeze.

Dimensions: W 16" x H 15"

Handle drop length: 18"

Colors: Natural, Black

What reviewers are saying: "A summer favorite. Love this bag and have gotten many comments on it."

Oversized Raffia Tote

Mansur Gavriel's large leather tote bag earned Bazaar editors' stamp of approval with its unusually spacious and structured design. This tote has the exact same proportions and ease of carry, but it's reworked in a buttery raffia to carry a 16" laptop on sunny days.

Dimensions: W 24" x H 14.6" x D 7.5"

Handle drop length: 9.45"

Color: Beige

Large Beaded Bon Bon Tote Bag

This is a raffia tote bag for the shopper who wants her bag to get noticed. A spacious interior, rows of playful bead embellishments and a shiny hardware handle are just the start of qualities to love in Jimmy Choo's Bon Bon tote, however. Through a special partnership with Olivela, 20 percent of all proceeds of this bag, and Jimmy Choo's entire beach edit on the site, will benefit the mental health organization Gurls Talk. Specifically, hitting "Order" will provide 93 hours of mental health support and resources to girls in need.

Dimensions: W 17.71" x H 10.23" x D 5.31"

Handle drop length: 3.93"

Removeable strap drop length: 17.71"

Color: Natural

Tote Bag with Round Interlocking G

Gucci just rolled out its 'Summer Stories' collection including this gorgeous raffia tote bag. On the inside, it can carry beach day supplies like a summer read, small towel, and sunglasses; on the outside, its deep sunset palette and artful leather logo will attract all the compliments from fellow vacationers, whether you're in the Hamptons or Hawaii.

Dimensions: W 9.8" x H 9.8" x D 6.7"

Handle drop length: 11.8"

Color: Multicolor stripe

Top Handle Tote

Cesta Collective originated as a straw and raffia bag brand, and its expertise is obvious in this top handle tote. The blend of two vegetable-dyed raffia shades is guaranteed to pop against a solid sundress or one-piece swimsuit and shorts. One functional detail worth noting: Unlike many other raffia bags, this tote is also secured by a full-width zipper at the top.

Dimensions: W 12" x H 8" x D 5"

Handle drop length: 4.33"

Colors: Black/Neutral, Rainbow Melange, Olive Grove, Natural, Midnight

Raffia Effect Braided Tweed & Gold-Tone Metal

From afar, Chanel's latest shopper tote looks like one of its many tweed flap bags. Up close, there's a reveal in store: The bag is actually crafted from tightly-woven raffia. While the exquisite craftsmanship is something only the owner can indulge in for the summer, everyone who sees those gold straps and double-C hardware will clock that it's Chanel.

Dimensions: H 9.8" × W 18.7" × D 6.6"

Colors: White, Black

+ Paula's Ibiza Petal Basket Raffia Tote

Let's make one thing clear: No one can go wrong with one of Loewe's whimsical raffia tote bags, designed in collaboration with Paula's Ibiza. But for a bag you can guarantee not everyone will have, this wavy option is the winner. The handwoven compartment beautifully mirrors the folds of a delicate flower—and there are still flashes of Loewe's cursive logo in the leather strap charm.

Dimensions: W 15.7" x H 9.8" x D 8.7"

Handle drop length: 7.9"

Colors: Black, Beige

Francisco Basket

The bohemian crochet swatches on this straw tote bag immediately caught my eye in a sea of plain options. With a North-South shape and double-wrapped leather handle, it's sturdy enough that the strong first impressions will last for years.

Dimensions: H 16.3" x W 14.2 x D 0.2"

Handle drop length: 9.4"

Color: Beige with Multi Patches

The Santorini

DeMellier thoughtfully updated the quintessential raffia basket tote with intersecting leather straps—adding structure and beautifully contrasting textures. A 12" laptop fits neatly inside, so this bag has work tote potential written all over it.

Dimensions: W 16.5" x H 9.8" x D 9"

Handle drop length: 9"

Colors: Straw/Navy, Straw/Pink, Straw/Tan, Straw/Black

What reviewers are saying: "I absolutely love this bag - well worth the price! With its leather details, it’s quite unique and also deceptively roomy. It’s very well made and I believe it will last for years (unlike other straw bags which can suffer breakage). It can easily be used for shuttling kids to games, date night and to the beach/pool. It’s an elevated/stylish summer look."

"I am really excited to use this all summer. It’s a great size for the beach but will also work as I wander around town with my kids and all of their stuff. It is well made and the straps are comfortable and give the bag nice structure."

High Tide Striped Crochet Raffia Medium Tote

Any avid follower of Katie Holmes' impeccable street style will recognize this demure raffia tote. She carried it with a cold-shoulder sweater, jeans, and loafers for a chillier day; when summer's at its peak, this wavy design will look just as polished with a linen dress.

It's not just the celebrity approval and patterned straw I love here: The bag can also stow a 13" laptop with ease.

Dimensions: H 11" x W 13.25" x D 5.5"

Strap drop length: 8.75"

Colors: Black multi, Ladybug multi, White multi, Fresh Greens multi

Medium Arco Crochet Raffia Tote

As much as this editor loves an intrecciato leather tote, a Jodie bag is too precious to carry at the beach. Bottega Veneta still has its beach lovers covered with its own take on the raffia tote bag. The Arco style's best feature? Extra-long straps for effortless carrying to and from your spot on the beach. Oh, and it comes with an extra internal pouch for staying organized.

Dimensions: W 15" x H 13.5 " x D 8"

Strap drop length: 11.5"

Pouch dimensions: W 9" x H 5 1/4" x D .25"

Color: Natural wood

The Small Transport Crossbody: Straw Edition

Madewell shrunk its best-selling transport tote and gave it a seasonal update in straw. This fun-sized bag is the dose of tropical energy an everyday summer outfit needs, with an extra hidden pocket, compartment, multi-way straps, and a range of dreamy shades to choose between.

Dimensions: H 7.75" x W 7.75" x D 2.5"

Colors: Green, Brown, Pink, Beige, Blue

What reviewers are saying: "I bought this bag last spring and used it almost daily through the summer. I brought it back out as soon as the weather warmed up and I have been carrying it nonstop again. It goes with everything and holds quite a bit for a small bag. This bag has held up perfectly for me even with constant use. I love it!"

"The size is perfect. Yes it’s straw on the outside but it’s lined with a sturdy canvas. It’s cute and goes with so much. The draw is so nice for the summer. My only complaint was I wished it had a zipper closure or a button. I can fit my phone, wallet, keys and a small lotion and chapstick. I could honestly probably fit more but those are my essentials."

Large Woven Straw Tote

Travelers most committed to the vacation lifestyle should hit "Order" on this extra-large weekender bag. It can easily fit outfits and swimsuits for a three day weekend on the cost with the help of some packing cubes. Plus, there's a longer handle not pictured here for easy carrying through the airport or train station.

Dimensions: 11.8" x 15" x 5.9"

Handle drop length: 3.5"

Shoulder strap drop length: 11.8"

Colors: Beige straw, Pastel/Beige straw

Straw Tote Bag

Here's an extra-spacious tote to sling over your shoulder on a grocery run, beach trip, or commute to work. Functional details include an open weave that promises sand won't stick around inside and a V-shaped opening under the handle to give your arm extra space. Most crucially, this bag rings up for the lowest amount on our list with the most space (and positive reviews from other shoppers).

Dimensions: H 46cm

Color: Straw/Black strap

What reviewers are saying: "This bag is light weight and roomy. My favorite part is the way it sits perfectly on the shoulder without being bulky. Love it!"

"I bought this bag for my trip to Hawaii and it did not disappoint. It's spacious and the color is very pretty."

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