We don’t know how you feel, but bags that can double up for when we happen to be doing a grocery run (yes, NTUC member here), they’re great! And while we’re usually armed with a trusty canvas tote bag, the kind that can store strange items that don’t fit into your regular purse, we’re like to propose an upgrade: mesh bags and woven basket bags, the stylish kind, that happen to be trending this summer.
Yeah, maybe beach bags for summer’s akin to florals for Spring — groundbreaking — but we’re going beyond the oversized straw bag see. Think round wicker bags, baskets that look like you’re going on a perpetual picnic, and woven pieces embellished with pom poms and colourful tassels, for true #wanderlust goals whether you’re on vacation in Santorini or not, and paired with equally sleek dressing. Even luxury brands like Prada fall in line too, so you know what, here’s a round-up of the best of them.
Netted Bags
We believe that these netted bags were meant to actually store your groceries, whether it’s fruits or cartons or baguettes due to its stretchy yet sturdy design, but somehow, the fashion set got wind of it and… they’re okay for all occasions now! Best for the weekends though, as well as that brunch date you’ve waited all week to Instagram. The key thing is to keep your attire relaxed, with slides or light wash jeans, all to match its slouchy design.
And as if to give us further farmer’s market/supermarket inspiration, they’re also usually styled with actual fruits or vegetables, which look exceptionally cute thanks to the see-through designs. For all other daily necessities, including your phone and makeup items, we suggest putting them in small pouches so they won’t fall through the holes — all the better to show off your cute pouch collection though!
This adorable number, with wooden beads and a bamboo handle, immediately adds to the quality of the bag, and you’ll be tempted to pair it with this seaon’s embroidery tops or frilly summer dresses.
As for this H&M shopper, it’s part of the Conscious collection — which justifies the relatively high price from this affordable fashion retailer — and is made from recycled polyester that’s first made into skinny string mesh, then woven together into this light blue piece. There’s also a light pink version if you prefer a more girly shade of pastel.
Round Bags
There’s something quaint about the round wicker bag, probably due to the way it opens up — rather than a zip opening, these usually come with rustic loop closures, while the bag functions like an actual basket with a lid. The textured surface definitely helps it stand out too. Etsy is a treasure trove for the crafty design, which makes sense since a lot of handiwork goes into the radial patterns of these wicker and rope bags, which often employ traditional techniques as well. The Indigo&Leather bag, for instance, is handwoven in Marrakech from sustainable palm leaves.
We see these working exceptionally well with wide-legged pants, a crisp top or highly structured dress, which all add a nice contrast to the quirky designs of there natural fibre goods; plus, those give a totally different vibe from a more conventional summer frock. Some of the designs come with leather straps, transforming it into a simple crossbody design, while others are meant to be slung on your arm.
Basket Bags
Other than the clear picnic references, these basket totes are also a nod to 70s fashion, particularly stylish French women strutting along the Parisian streets. We see why — there’s definitely a laidback quality here that suits the effortless vibe of the romantic city. Unlike a picnic basket though, you probably won’t want to be stuffing these with too many items, even though they’re lined with fabric. Prada gives us an air of total sophistication, with a light-coloured wicker and white leather details on its signature luggage tag and logo plague, while the Stylenanda design feels more suited for cute pinafore dressing.
Of course, taking them along for an actual picnic makes a lot of sense too, or bust it out the next time you’re by the pool as the baskets are roomy enough for your beach essentials. The Lolita comes in a unique oval shape, with a dome-shaped top and patchwork front, while the bamboo clutch is versatile enough for a summer pool party and a glamorous evening event.
Embellished Bags
Here’s where things get really exciting — if you’re already bored of the natural browns and beiges, consider adding a whole bunch of tassels and pompoms and embroidery to the designs, the brighter the better. Skinnydip London knows how it’s done so they sprung for rainbow tassels, while Topshop keeps it simple with black pompoms. As for Nannacay, the travel-inspired brand that’s loved by style influencers all over, they’ve combined craft — in the form of baskets woven by local artisans from durable raffia — with playfulness, with bunches of fuzzy oversized pompoms in summery shades.
The same spirit of craftsmanship lives on in Sophia Anderson’s vibrant designs, made of handwoven raffia by the WAYUU people of Colombia and in complementary beige and navy hues; the design elements here are minimal but unique too, contrasting brown leather handles for instance. If all else fails, you’ll see that adding a line of pretty pompoms to a rather basic beach tote makes it instantly on-trend, which is something you can easily D-I-Y too to give your old bag new life.
Header Image: Lovelypepa on Instagram, Soeurs.co, Stylenanda.com.
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