When I think of the best raffia tote bags, I think of a street near my New York City apartment on an early June 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 specialises 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.”
This is a look I plan to 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.
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Prepare to see Prada's raffia tote everywhere for a third summer in a row. The pastel colours, 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"
Colours: Blue, Pink, Natural, White, Black, Yellow, Green
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"
Colour: 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."
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"
Colours: Natural, Black
What reviewers are saying: "A summer favourite. Love this bag and have gotten many comments on it."
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"
Colour: Beige
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"
Removable strap drop length: 17.71"
Colour: Natural
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"
Colour: Multicolor stripe
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"
Colours: Black/Neutral, Rainbow Melange, Olive Grove, Natural, Midnight
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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"
Colours: White, Black
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"
Colours: Black, Beige
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"
Colour: Beige with Multi Patches
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"
Colours: 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."
Any avid follower of Katie Holmes' impeccable street style will recognise 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"
Colours: Black multi, Ladybug multi, White multi, Fresh Greens multi
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 organised.
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"
Colour: Natural wood
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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"
Colours: Beige straw, Pastel/Beige straw
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This article originally appeared in Harper’s BAZAAR US.