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.
Image: Atlantic-Pacific
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.
Image: Palma Market
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.
Image: Pinterest
Image: Pinterest
Image: Pinterest
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 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.
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 some that we found right here in Birmingham:
Starting at top left, clockwise: A’Mano tote with pom-poms across the top, $58; A’Mano colorful clutch, $28; Theadora neon pom-pom tote with leather handles, $150; Fab’rik clutch $58
From top left corner, clockwise: turquoise straw bag with pom-poms by Mar Sol at Shoefly, $138; colorful clutch by J McLaughlin, $138; straw tote with leather handles and multi-color tufts from Theadora, $150; bamboo handle basket bag by J McLaughlin, $198
Happy shopping!
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