Straw bags are the iconic sign of summer. It’s nice that they are usually affordable and definitely are on trend each and every summer, although some years they are hotter than others, and this is one such summer.

From dressier options meant for luncheons, weddings and more, to casual bags more at home poolside and hanging on the back of your chair while eating chips and guacamole, you need a straw bag. No matter where you are heading this summer, consider the straw bag as your must-have accessory.

5 Reasons You Need a Straw Bag

1) To carry to a wedding or dressy party

A perfectly lady-like bag, like any of these below, will be a welcome accessory for all your dressier occasions. And because of its ability to morph to your needs, it will also work with your white jeans on date night.

Atlantic Pacific straw bagsPin
Image: Atlantic-Pacific
j mclaughlin rattan clutchPin
Image: J McLaughlin

2) To carry as your summer tote

To the farmers’ market, the pool or a casual day at work, a straw tote will take a beating and keep on going. Throw in a towel, books, a laptop … whatever you need.

summer tote straw bag with leather handlesPin
Image: Palma Market
crochet bagPin
Image: Tuckernuck

3) To embrace the pom-pom trend without seeming childish

Pom-poms are everywhere, but nowhere else do they look as good as they do as on a straw bag. Yes, those pom-pom sandals are awfully cute, but we bet you get more uses per dollar spent out of the bag! See if you don’t fall for this look from our inspiration photos below.

Small pom pom bagPin
Image: Pinterest
Large pom pom fringe bagPin
Image: Pinterest
pom pom clutchPin
Image: Pinterest
blue pom pom straw bagPin
Image: Pinterest

4) To release your inner Jane Birkin (as before there was the Hermes Birkin, there was the basket bag)

English actress/singer Jane Birkin was the biggest IT girl of the ’70s, and when she made a straw basket into her go-to bag, she embraced it big time. She wore it with everything from jeans to cocktail dresses. While most people think of her with the eponymous Hermes bag (the one with the six-year waiting list … ), first there was the basket straw bag. And, ever since, a straw bag has been welcome and stylish with everything from casual to black tie.

jane birkin straw bagsPin
Jane Birkin with her basket bag in the 1970s. Image: Octer.com

5) To make you smile

It’s hard to have a playful straw bag and not smile. Straw bags mean sunny weather, longer days and time spent with friends. Carrying one just reminds us to take a moment and enjoy everything that summer is.

Straw hats and bagsPin
These straw hats and bags are found in a country home in Portugal. Makes you smile, right?! Makes us happy, too! Image: One Kings Lane

Ready to add one or two to your summer wardrobe? Here are a few we found at a couple Memphis stores:

Straw bags in MemphisPin
From top left, clockwise: yellow striped tote with tassels and leather handles at Social, $139; basket bag with bamboo handle from J McLaughlin, $198; blue striped clutch with tassels at Social, $105; colorful clutch at J McLaughlin, $138

Happy shopping Memphis!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram @styleblueprintmemphis for more finds and fun!

Liza Graves
About the Author
Liza Graves

As CEO of StyleBlueprint, Liza also regularly writes for SB. Most of her writing is now found in the recipe archives as cooking is her stress relief!