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Wardrobe Staple: The Straw Bag

As much as I love all my black bags (and I’m still on the lookout for more, very sad,), as soon as spring and sunny days start rolling in, my favorite black bags sometimes seem…so heavy. I purchased a huge Moroccan straw tote as a beach bag last year, and liked it so much that now I’ve been thinking about a smaller version to carry all summer. Like this one:

For several months I thought my straw bag interest was my own organically generated obsession,  but in reality I must have been incepted by Ines de la Fressange because while re-reading Parisian Chic, I came across this little snippet.

IDLF Straw

And after that, I started on Googling rampage, looking for photos of chic women with their straw bags. Some of my favorites, starting with Olivia Palermo.

OP Straw

Rachel Bilson (yes, her’s is Chanel. But still! It’s straw/raffia).

Rachel Bilson at the DMV in Los Angeles, CA

Miroslava Duma.

MD Straw

And one more of Olivia Palermo – this time showing that a straw tote can even be dressed up! I love this look with a white silk dress. This is my favorite straw bag out of the celebrity bunch…and my favorite outfit!

Olivia_palermo_NYFW_BCBG

How do you feel about a straw bag for summer? I love how they look (and plus they are typically much easier on the wallet!).

My picks, by the way? Besides the Mar Y Sol above, I like this version from Tory Burch ($275), for those who like to splurge, this beautiful Dolce & Gabanna version with lovely lace lambskin details, and on the other side of the price spectrum, this striped J.Crew tote at $55.

15 Comments

  • Reply
    Doreen
    March 26, 2014 at 8:16 am

    I have the same as Olivia Palermo’s from Gerard Darel but mine’s a knitted version in a violet/purple colour and my sister has got one in an orangey-red (similar to capucine from Hermes) and we love ours to bits! Straw doesnt fare well in the long run for me since I wrecked my Balenciaga one a few years ago.

    I hope you find one that channels the inner Parisienne in all of us 🙂

    Great post for spring :):)

  • Reply
    Prêt-à-Porter P
    March 26, 2014 at 8:38 am

    I used to have a canvas striped bag with rope handle in that same beachy theme, but after several years I didn’t want to look at it anymore. They’re nice, but don’t match my wardrobe so much anymore.

  • Reply
    Shirling Vanessatime
    March 26, 2014 at 8:56 am

    Nice post!!! I love straw bag, it’s very summery, light and easy, pair it with sandals n summer dress, or short n tee 🙂 I wear it a lot when I am in Bali 🙂

  • Reply
    Maria
    March 26, 2014 at 12:04 pm

    Love that last look, too. They can look so chic with white in summer. Last year, I purchased an inexpensive straw clutch – a very simple one – that Garance Dore blogged about and the solid version of the J Crew tote. The Mar Y Sol one is lovely, too. Always best not too spend much on these but, if you want to splurge, Kate Spade is a favorite of mine for straw/wicker bags – though I prefer the vintage models more than the newer ones. I have a few that have lasted years. 🙂

  • Reply
    Julie
    March 26, 2014 at 2:46 pm

    The Sam Edelman sandals don’t seem to be on sale?

    • Reply
      Katherine
      March 26, 2014 at 2:54 pm

      Oh that is a bummer! They were until I guess this morning…even if you search on Google “Sam Edelman Trina” the Nordstrom link for $80 still shows up. Boo!

      Thank you for letting me know, I will update the post.

  • Reply
    Belen
    March 26, 2014 at 6:36 pm

    I had never had a straw bag before and then my grandma gave me one for my birthday last year. I didn’t think much of it TBH, but ended up using it ALL THE TIME. So convenient and goes with everything. It’s coming undone now, so I need a new one.
    I like the J Crew ones, but I’d prefer if they had a zipper like the one I have.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      March 27, 2014 at 5:49 pm

      Oh I’d love one with a zipper. That would be perfect!

  • Reply
    Tabitha
    March 27, 2014 at 12:06 am

    Perfect for holldays and that’s just the right size, Olivia’s is my favourite too.

  • Reply
    Ammu
    March 27, 2014 at 2:32 am

    One of my best friends only carries a straw tote during the summer – and it looks very chic with her maxi dresses.
    My summer bag of choice is my Mansur Gavriel unlined brandy bucket bag.

    • Reply
      Katherine
      March 27, 2014 at 5:48 pm

      ooh that sounds perfect. I am still thinking about a MG bucket bag.

  • Reply
    Lisa
    March 27, 2014 at 8:57 am

    Hi! I know a very talented purse designer who specializes in exotics but sells this straw tote….thought you might like it. 🙂

    https://alexandraknight.myshopify.com/collections/totes/products/large-french-market-tote-cognac-alligator

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