What I'm Styling This Week: Summer's Best Beach Bags
The styles I've been living in and lusting after all season that are perfect for your next beach day.
Welcome back to Let’s Get Dressed, a newsletter where I share my endeavors in fashion — what I’m wearing, shopping, trying on, chatting and thinking about — to give you some inspiration for the week ahead. It’s my fashion diary, except I’m actually letting you look inside.
My summer vacation is right around the corner, so naturally, I’ve been deep in styling for the occasion. One thing I’ve loved about this season: texture. Fringe skirts everywhere, embellished sandals are trending, beaded beach bags — it’s all about pieces that feel like they’re adding a whole new layer to your look.
According to Gab Waller, one of this summer’s top-selling pieces has been the Saint Laurent Le 5 à 7 Beaded Hobo, a wood-beaded shoulder bag that flew off shelves and thankfully just re-stocked. There’s something a bit more earthy, unexpected, and dressed-up about this year’s crop of beach bags that can make even a simple black swimsuit look styled to perfection.
This summer I’ve been spending time in Malibu with my family, test-driving a few favorites from my own closet, like my classic Polo Ralph Lauren striped canvas tote to Hunting Season’s sleek raffia-and-leather style. To me, the perfect beach bag checks two boxes: it’s chic enough to pair with jeans post-beach, but not so precious that I’m scared to get sand on it. There’s a delicate balance and the best ones make it look effortless. Like you’ve just floated off the beach to the dinner table! A few things I look for in my beach bags:
They have to be packable. If they don’t lay flat at the bottom of my suitcase, it needs to be something that doubles as a bag I’d wear on the plane on top of my carry on.
Having at least one closure (if it’s not a full zip) will help to keep your bag as clean as possible on the beach. Also great if you’re using it to be a tourist!
The inside can be easily cleaned. I wore my canvas Polo Play to the beach last weekend and being able to flip it inside out and get all the sand and snacks out was a dream.
And while I know we’re somehow already approaching August (and fall fashion is looming), a good beach bag is a forever piece. Here are the ones that have caught my eye lately.
Hunting Season Small Woven Shopper
Banana Republic Straw Market Tote
